Job Description

Posting number: 190953

Department: Department of Agriculture

Division: External Affairs and Economic Development

Job classification: Agricultural Marketing Specialist III

Posting type: Open

Categories: Agriculture, Professional, Marketing, Business, Program Management

Do you have a passion for South Carolina Agriculture? Are you skilled in building relationships and have a desire to make a positive impact in the Agribusiness community? If these aspects sound appealing to you then this unique position may be just what you have been looking for! The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is seeking a Marketing Specialist to serve as representative for the SC Watermelon Industry by working with the SC Watermelon Board (SCWB) and the SC Watermelon Association (SCWA) and as the representative for the SC Peach industry via the SC Peach Council (SCPC), as well as the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association (SCSCGA).

Responsibilities for this Marketing Specialist will include:

• Managing the daily activities of the SCWB, SCWA, SCPC, and SCSCGA to include financials, assessments, reports, and correspondence.
• Consistently communicating, building and maintaining relationships with board members, producers, and other industry partners, both at the state and national levels.
• Developing an in-state marketing plan to promote the expanded sales of South Carolina watermelons, peaches and specialty crops.
• Preparing exhibits for and attending industry meetings, field days, various tradeshows, and school / institution events to include in-state, out-of-state, and virtual.
• Serving in a project management role for watermelon and peach industry sanctioned research projects.
• Planning and conducting quarterly and annual meetings.
• Conducting membership activities to enrich and grow members.
• Developing and executing outreach activities.

BENEFITS:

• Generous State benefits to include retirement, health, vision, dental and life insurance.
  • Premium for BCBS State Standard Plan for employee only coverage is less than $100/month!
  • Premium for BCBS State Standard Plan for full family coverage is only $307/month!
• 13 paid holidays, generous annual and sick leave accruals.
• Up to six weeks paid parental leave

• Deferred Compensation Program.
• Access to fleet vehicle for required travel.
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Free counseling sessions for employees and household members.
  • Free Life Management Services. (legal, financial, and more)

Examples of duties

• Bachelor's degree and one year agricultural experience, including but not limited to farm hand or marketing agricultural products. Academic credits in agricultural courses may be substituted for required the experience.
• Valid Driver's License and the ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications

• Prior board management experience.
• Familiarity/background in agriculture.
• Familiarity with checkoff organizations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Two years’ budget management experience.
• Ability to accurately process assessments and remit accordingly.
• Experience planning meetings to include Board meetings and Industry wide meetings of up to 400 people.
• Excellent public speaking/communication skills.
• Membership recruitment/retention for industry related Associations.
• Government relations experience, knowledge of legislative policy structure.

Supplemental information

• High degree of organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively and cooperatively with various audiences.
• Ability to exercise judgment in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, be detail oriented, and highly organized.
• Must work effectively in a transparent, team-oriented environment.
• Significant travel in and out of state.
• High level of customer service to farmers/growers.
• Excellent public speaking/communication skills.
• This position is located in the Wade Hampton building on the Statehouse grounds and the selected candidate would be expected to report to the office daily when not traveling. The right candidate may be eligible to work remotely one day per week after one year of employment.