Agriculture Jobs in San Jose, CA

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under administrative direction of the Marketing Services Division Director and in cooperation with the Assistant Director, the Special Assistant (SA) has oversight of the complex work performed in the QAP, managing and directing staff to perform the critical and sensitive activities to complete the monthly quota payout; planning and evaluating program operations, monitoring; organizing and directing the work of analytical research and administrative staff; providing guidance to staff; and is the liaison to a variety of stakeholders and industry groups. The incumbent is responsible for developing, administering and evaluating the QAP policy, activities, guidelines and procedures. The SA represents the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture at Producer Review Board (PRB) meetings, which ultimately define and develop policy involving the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) in California. The SA also administers the MPSTF, evaluating claims, monitoring fund balances, and taking administrative actions to issue payments to milk producers, as appropriate, conducting industry audits, evaluating the eligibility of future handler transactions to be covered by the Trust Fund, and making recommendations to the Secretariat and the MPSTF Board for replenishment of the fund.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The work environment is typically an air-conditioned office environment with occasional outdoor trips / visits to dairies. The employee works at a desk or. workstation with a telephone, computer, and printer. On occasion, the employee is required to travel, both by air and by car. The employee attends meetings at a variety of venues. The employee may tour dairy farms and dairy processing facilities which involves walking across wet, slippery floors, climbing ladders, and being exposed to the noise of loud machinery.

A valid CA Driver’s License is required.

This position is eligible for telework in accordance with Department policy.

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within thirty (30) days of appointment, on an annual basis, and upon vacating the position. The incumbent must complete an Ethics orientation training course within six months of assuming a Form 700 covered position, and every two (2) years thereafter, by December 31 of each numbered year. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

Special Requirements

This position requires a valid California Driver’s License.

The applicant must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) that responds to each of the four (4) questions below. The SOQ must be clearly labeled and no more than two (2) typed pages, with a 1” margin using Arial 12-point font. Responses to the questions should be numbered as below. Applications submitted without the SOQ may not be considered. A cover letter and / or resume do not take the place of the SOQ.

1. Describe your experience in planning and directing the activities of a medium sized team (10-15 persons). Please include information on your philosophy to encourage a team environment and any examples of situations in which you have been involved in mediating conflict between any of the following : staff, industry members, industry members and CDFA staff.

2. Describe your experience developing and implementing policies. Please include information on the challenges encountered and the mechanisms used to overcome those challenges. Please indicate how the members inside and outside your organization reacted to the new policies and how that shaped your philosophy about program management and policy development and implementation.

3. Describe your experience working in situations where there are multiple compelling demands for your time on complex projects and sensitive issues where there was a very limited timeframe to make a decision. Include a description of the actions you took, your specific role, the steps you took to mitigate the situation.

4. Describe your experience and ability to communicate effectively, including developing and delivering clear and persuasive written materials and oral presentations to Executive Management, State Agencies, Board of Directors, and other key entities.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information ​ New Employee Benefits Orientation Page

Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. ​ State Civil Service Act

Review the benefits and protections provided to State Civil Service employees through the State Civil Service Act.

Salaries and Civil Service Pay Scales

Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs.

Represented Employee Bargaining Contracts

Review the specifics of represented state employee collective bargaining contracts.

Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits ​Specific Benefits ​Additional Information

Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

Planning Ahead Handbook | ​Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

• 866) EAP-4SOC

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information

Group Legal Services Insurance

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.

Reimbursement Accounts

Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.

Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.