Agronomic Program Specialist

Salary: $66,250.00 - $100,636.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2025-18791-51515
Department: Department of Agriculture
Division: AG Agrnmc Rgnl Srvs Div
Opening Date: 03/05/2025
Closing Date: 3/19/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 51515
Position Number: 50284506
Union: Non Union
Bargaining Unit: G3
Pay Group: ST08
Bureau / Division Code: 00043921
Bureau / Division: Division of Agronomic and Regional Services
Worksite Address: 2301 North Cameron Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: Zachary Bender
Contact Email: zbender@pa.gov

THE POSITION

Are you eager to enhance consumer protection through innovative initiatives and expert knowledge to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvania's animal food supply? If so, the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry has an exciting opportunity for you! We are looking for an animal food specialist-an energetic individual dedicated to strengthening the regulatory framework necessary for enforcing the Pennsylvania Commercial Feed Act and ensuring animal food safety.
If you have a proactive mindset, a solid background in regulating or developing good manufacturing practices and preventive controls for animal food, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in Pennsylvania agriculture and consumer protection we invite you to apply and join our mission to foster a more productive and sustainable future.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
In this role, you will plan, direct, and coordinate an effective statewide regulatory program for enforcement of the Pennsylvania Commercial Feed Act. You will also administer an effective animal food safety program with emphasis placed on protecting both animal and human health through a safe animal food system. This work includes providing oversight of all sampling and inspection processes related to animal food, assessment of laboratory analysis, and recommending enforcement actions for legal violations.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities; and four years of paraprofessional experience applying quality, safety, and efficacy protocols of agronomic products for manufacturers or producers; or
• One year of experience as an Agronomic Products Inspector or a Plant Inspector (commonwealth titles); or
• Three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities; and a bachelor's degree in agricultural science, agribusiness management, agricultural and extension education, animal science, biological engineering, plant science, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Agronomic Products Inspector or a Plant Inspector for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03

Do you possess three or more years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

06

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PROGRAM MANAGEMENTDevelops and implements a regulatory program for the labeling, manufacturing, and distribution of animal feed to enforce the Pennsylvania Commercial Feed Act and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience developing AND implementing a regulatory program for the labeling, manufacturing, or distribution of animal feed.
• B. I have experience implementing a regulatory program for the labeling, manufacturing, or distribution of animal feed. I DID NOT develop the program.
• C. I have experience developing or implementing a regulatory program NOT RELATED to animal feed.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to animal science, animal nutrition, or food science.
• E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.

07

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

The type(s) of programs you developed or implemented.

The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.

08

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University

Course Title(s)

Credits/Clock Hours

09

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - CONDUCTS AND EVALUATES INSPECTIONS Conducts inspections and evaluates issues related to animal food and animal food safety. Provides insight to management, inspectors, or the regulated industry on changes impacting the animal food inspection program to meet federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state Department of Agriculture requirements. Takes corrective action and works with internal and external parties when contamination of animal feed is suspected.Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience conducting inspections and evaluating issues related to animal food and animal food safety. I took corrective actions to address issues or concerns.
• B. I have experience conducting inspections related to animal food and animal food safety. I reported my findings to SOMEONE ELSE who took corrective actions to address issues or concerns.
• C. I have experience conducting inspections related to food products OTHER THAN animal food.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to food safety or food hazard analysis.
• E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.

10

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

Your experience conducting inspections and the type(s) of inspections.

Your experience correcting issues or concerns.

The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.

11

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University/Training Source

Course Title(s)

Credits/Clock Hours

12

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - TRAININGDevelops animal food regulatory program educational materials and provides training on animal food and safety to departmental staff, inspectors, and other interested parties. Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience developing animal food regulatory program educational materials AND providing training on animal food and safety.
• B. I have experience providing training on animal food and safety. SOMEONE ELSE developed educational materials.
• C. I have experience developing educational materials or providing training NOT RELATED to animal food or safety.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to communication, public speaking, or training.
• E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.

13

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed on this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

The type(s) of educational materials you developed.

The training you provided and to whom.

The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.

14

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University/Training Source

Course Title(s)

Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question