Title: Regional Commodity Specialist #R0798

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec III

Hiring Range: $44,192 - $67,800 annually

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: VDACS CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Marketing, Food Distribution Program is seeking a PR & Marketing Specialist III. Duties include supervising the application of regulations and policies of the Food Distribution Program for schools and institutions receiving foods donated by the USDA. This position also oversees The Emergency Food Assistance Program with Food Banks. This position will be based in Richmond with regional responsibility for approximately 35 counties and adjacent cities in Northern Virginia and the Blue Ridge area. Requires extensive regional travel (occasionally overnight) to participating schools and institutions to explain the program and interpret federal and state regulations and policies, council on food safety, expand donated food usage, review recipient agency compliance with program requirements and make recommendations for improvement. Additionally this position monitors contractual performance of food distributors and resolves problems with distributors and recipient food institutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate general knowledge of institutional food service/food science. Must be able to apply basic principles of marketing/promotional concepts. Exceptional and enthusiastic customer service skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, to work independently, to organize and present ideas, materials and concepts clearly, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Must possess proficiency in the use of personal computers to include the use of MS Office and other related applications. Familiarity with and capability to interpret government regulations, contractual terms, and data. Experience analyzing, interpreting and providing detailed responses and explanations of procedure, regulations, contracts and policy requirements to program clients and vendors. Must have experience planning and scheduling workloads requiring frequent travel with occasional overnights. A valid Virginia Driver’s License is required.

Additional Considerations

Studies in food science, nutrition, business administration, marketing, food technology, food service, federal programs or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant work experience is also preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.