Address:  Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division / Nogales Operations
2771 Grand Avenue, Nogales Arizona

Salary: $72,800.00 - 72,800.00 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: May 2, 2025

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is recruiting for a Technical Program Manager for our Citrus Fruit and Vegetable Division. The position is located in Nogales Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have a Cooperative Agreement for Fresh Produce Inspection, Auditing Services, and Terminal Market Inspections, known as the Federal State Inspection Service (FSIS) program. The Nogales Operations Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration of the Nogales FSIS office.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Supervises the activities of the inspection staff, ensuring smooth operations and efficient task execution. Assesses and recommends staffing requirements and adjustments as needed.
• Supervises and manages the inspection staff for Nogales FSIS, overseeing approximately 6 direct reports, along with 20 indirect full-time inspection employees supervised by subordinate supervisors, and an additional 110 seasonal inspection staff members each year.
• Oversees federally issued licenses for the Nogales district.
• Reviews individual training and conduct USDA supervisory reviews for commodity licensing.
• Coordinates with the Nogales Operation Program Manager to ensure all required USDA employee training is conducted for inspector licensing.
• Works with the on-site USDA Federal Program Manager ensuring the continuity of operations.
• Performs employee performance evaluations and oversees Employee Time Entry (ETE) accuracy.
• Coordinates all fresh produce sampling, inspections, and audits.
• Ensures program reviews and internal audits are conducted annually. Responsible for records and document control. Reports any programmatic non-conformities to the Office of Citrus, Fruit, & Vegetables (CFV) Director and the Produce and Plant Services Division (PPSD) Director.
• Manage communication with the USDA and industry stakeholders
• Ensures accurate and timely data reporting to USDA and Customs and Boarder Patrol (CBP). Manages USDA procurement commodity requests. Serves as the USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) auditing manager for the state.
• Manage the Nogales District Branch Internal Quality Management System (BIQMS)
• Other duties as assigned and drive State vehicle on State business

Knowledge of:
Supervisory principles and techniques.
Auditing principles, methods, and planning.
Produce harvesting, grading, and marketing practices.
Federal and state fruit and vegetable grades.
Contracting and planning inspections and auditing work.
Staffing requirements from season to season.

Skills in:
Leadership and problem solving.
Oral and written communication.
Planning, coordinating, evaluating and prioritizing inspections and audit activities.
Public relations.
Analyzing and evaluating various administrative and technical data.
Google Suite and Microsoft Office.

Ability to:
Render consistent and unprejudiced decisions.
Communicate effectively.
Review and analyze existing policies, procedures, and protocols and recommend changes if required.
Maintain confidential working relationships.
Work effectively with diverse groups.

ADOA Supervisory Training
ISO 9001:2000 Lead Auditor Certified
Bilingual in English and Spanish

Current USDA License for Shipping Point Inspection, Market Inspection, USDA Supervisory License for Shipping Point and Market Inspections, USDA Qualified Training Provider Certification, Process Product Sampling, and GHP/GAP Food Safety Audit Program.
Arizona Driver's License.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). ASRS is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.27%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.