Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner

Overview

The Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader to serve as the next Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner!

Starting salary up to $65.52/hour ($136,748/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

Reporting to the Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, the Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner manages the Agricultural Division, directly supervises three Deputy Agricultural Commissioners, and oversees twelve inspectors. This position plans and reviews the workload for the Agricultural Division and collaborates with other managers in the department to align division work with department priorities to meet overall department mandates, goals, and objectives.

The Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner is also responsible for:

• Planning the distribution of workload, assigning responsibilities, and providing feedback to Deputy Agricultural Commissioners and inspectors
• Meeting one-on-one with Deputy Agricultural Commissioners to communicate expectations and provide feedback, plan self-development opportunities, and maintain accountability for staff
• Collaborating with Agricultural Commissioner staff from other counties and state agency partners
• Planning and monitoring contracts and budgets for the division
• Managing enforcement actions that result from inspections
• Receiving and coordinating responses to community complaints related to Agricultural Division programs
• Using technical knowledge in agricultural inspection to train and support inspection staff
• Continuing professional development to remain knowledgeable on topics pertinent to the Agricultural Division

This role is primarily office-based, with occasional fieldwork that includes driving county vehicles in all weather conditions to support training or mentoring. While the position typically follows standard office hours, evening or weekend availability may be required for meetings, trainings, or outreach events.

Please note: This position requires possession of a valid Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner License issued by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

The ideal candidate is operationally agile and can shift gears quickly as the position requires, and will possess many of the following:

• Extensive knowledge of agricultural laws, regulations, inspection procedures, and equipment
• Previous training from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• The ability to identify opportunities for improvement and efficiencies to stay ahead of regulatory changes
• Experience in training and mentoring others to grow in their career
• The ability to effectively collaborate with other department managers, external department managers, and representatives of state agencies
• Interest in continued growth as a leader, with a leadership style that fosters trust, respect, and innovation
• A strong sense of public duty and a commitment to serving our diverse community
• Experience giving empathetic feedback/constructive criticism with the ability to manage and resolve conflicts
• Experience with public speaking to large groups or the press
• Possession of good communication, critical thinking, decision-making, and writing skills
• The ability to use Outlook, Word, and Excel at an intermediate level
• Possession of valid County Agricultural Commissioner and Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures licenses are desirable

Education and Licenses: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, graduation from a four-year college with major work in agriculture or the biological sciences or other degrees approved by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture or another related field which would qualify to obtain the Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner License, and either two years of full-time paid experience in a position comparable to Deputy Agricultural Commissioner or three years in a position comparable to Senior Agriculture/Weights and Measures Inspector.

Licenses:
Possession of a valid California driver license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. Special

Qualification:

Possession of a valid Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner License issued by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Desirable

Qualifications:

Possession of valid County Agricultural Commissioner, Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures, and County Sealer of Weights and Measures licenses.

The position advertised on this announcement does require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Working knowledge and abilities: Thorough knowledge of the California Food and Agricultural Code, California Code of Regulations,…