Division Coordinator - Farm & Food Systems Development

Apply early! The first review of applications is scheduled for December 2, 2025
. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before December 1, 2025
. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes approximately 780 employees and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

This position plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) by supporting the viability of agriculture while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment while also ensuring that all Washingtonians have access to healthy food.

As a key member of the Farm & Food Systems Development Division's leadership team, this position reports directly to the Assistant Director and provides expert level research, analysis, and strategic consultation to support policy development and program planning across the division. The position is responsible for supporting the budget and performance management of the division, providing professional analysis on complex issues such as food security, state and federal funding regulatory changes, and interagency collaboration.

The position plays a central role in advancing the agency's food systems development efforts by assisting with division funding, grant administration, and specialized projects that ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability. Serving as the primary liaison to agency central services, the position directs the division's administrative team and supports cross‑division initiatives, including long‑term strategic planning and process improvement. Through this work, the position ensures that division programs are aligned with the agency's mission to promote agricultural viability, ensure food access, and protect consumers, public health, animals, and the environment.

• Provide expert level consultation and analysis on division structure, operational challenges, and programmatic opportunities.
• Provide proactive intervention and formulate recommendation for solutions that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and advance the division's mission.
• Communicate agency policies to division staff and leadership to ensure consistent application.
• Identify areas of administrative and/or operational risk and provide actionable recommendations to the AD and division management team.
• Ensure the AD's perspectives and priorities are accurately conveyed when interacting with agency leadership, external stakeholders, and staff.
• Prepare and prioritize documents and general correspondence on behalf of the AD.
• Review materials for accuracy, compliance, and strategic alignment prior to final approval.
• Coordinate with the division management team to support the full lifecycle of grant administration, including solicitation development, application review processes, award documentation, contract coordination, and compliance tracking.
• Ensure grant activities align with agency policies, funding guidelines, and strategic priorities.
• Monitor grant performance, reporting requirements, and deadlines.
• Serve as a central point of contact for internal staff and external customers to support transparency, accountability, and successful program delivery.
• Ensure alignment with HR policies, state regulations, and agency guidance.
• Direct the planning and execution of division‑wide meetings.
• Pr…