Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: AA01
Class Code: 0011
Established: 04/06/2011
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under administrative direction, incumbents are responsible for the direction of specialized food and agriculture programs necessary to meet the California Department of Food and Agriculture's responsibility to promote and protect the public health and safety, quality of food and agriculture products, and fair competition in the marketplace. The program areas directed ensure that only safe and quality food reaches the consumer, protect against invasion of exotic pests and diseases, promote California agriculture and food products both at home and abroad, ensure an equitable and orderly marketplace for California's agricultural products, and build coalitions supporting the state's agricultural infrastructure to meet evolving industry needs.
Incumbents in this class are responsible for a fully developed program of major sensitivity and complexity, and may be required to have expertise and education in a specific technical or scientific field to successfully perform the essential functions of the classification.
Typical Tasks
Plan, organize, directs review, coordinate, and evaluate Branch activities; oversee administration and management of personnel and staffing; develop, direct, and implement Branch policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; develop and/or influence the development and implementation of statewide policy; direct, coordinate, evaluate, and supervise Branch programs; prepare, implement, administer, review, and monitor the Branch's fiscal resources; participate in strategic planning; prepare reports and correspondence; provide technical staff assistance; act in the absence of the Division Director; represent the Department and the Branch at Branch, Division, Department, interagency, public, and other industry meetings; oversee enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to program requirements; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Federal, State, local, industry representatives, law enforcement, and others; recommend, develop, and review proposed legislative and regulatory changes; represent the department at legislative and/or public meetings/hearings; provide scientific and technical support to subordinate staff, executive staff, other governmental entities, and interested industry and public representatives; develop and implement budget change proposals; oversee Branch health and safety, and injury prevention programs; oversee Branch contracts with various vendors and governmental agencies; and directly supervise one or more subordinate supervisors.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
One year of experience in the California Department of Food and Agriculture performing the duties of a class equivalent in level and responsibility not less than that of an Agriculture Program Supervisor�III. or
Two years of experience in the California Department of Food and Agriculture performing the duties of a class equivalent in level and responsibility not less than that of an Agriculture Program Supervisor�II. or
Three years of experience in the California Department of Food and Agriculture performing the duties of a class equivalent in level and responsibility not less than that of an Agriculture Program Supervisor�I, Regional Brand Supervisor, or Measurement Standards Specialist III.
Or II
Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the food and agriculture industry, at least one year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. (Experience in the California state service applied toward the supervisory requirement must have been in a class comparable in level and responsibility not less than that of an Agriculture Program Supervisor III.) (Possession of a Doctorate Degree in biology or a closely related science may be substituted for three years of the required nonsupervisory experience.) and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Marketing, Agricultural Economics, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Police Science, Administration of Justice, Criminology, Animal Science, a Biological or Physical Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of a degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Special Requirements
Positions overseeing a dairy program within the Division of Animal Health and Food Safety Services require the possession of a Registered Dairy Inspector Certificate.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
Preferred education for positions overseeing a scientific or technical agricultural program may include an advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in microbiology, food science, a biological or physical science, chemistry, environmental health, or a closely related discipline.
General and Technical Competencies
Leadership Competencies
The State of California Leadership Competency Model provides examples of the successful managerial behaviors associated with each defined competency. These competencies are the basis for a number of personnel management practices including, but not limited to, the development of selection methods, training, individual development plans, and performance management.
The following are the applicable general managerial competencies for this class:
Fostering a Team Communication; Interpersonal Skills; Team Environment Leadership; Conflict Management
Creating Change Leadership; Vision and Strategic Thinking; Organizational Flexibility; Global Perspective; Organizational Transformation Awareness
Maximizing Analytical Thinking; Decision Making; Customer Performance Focus; Planning and Organizing; Thoroughness Transformation Forward Thinking; Results Orientation
Building Trust and Ethics and Integrity; Personal Credibility Accountability
Promoting a High Fostering Diversity; Workforce Management; Performance Culture Developing Others
Building Coalitions Influencing Others; Relationship Building
Classification Specific Competencies
The following additional competencies are specific to the Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture, classification
Creative Thinking The ability to look at situations from multiple perspectives; to create solutions to problems using novel methods and processes; and the tendency or ability of individuals to do or create something new.
Diagnostic Information Gathering The ability to identify the information needed to clarify a situation and draw out the information when others are reluctant to disclose it.
Empowering Others The ability to convey confidence in employees' ability to be successful, especially at challenging new tasks; share significant responsibility and authority; and allow employees' freedom to decide how they will accomplish their goals and resolve issues.
Professional and Personal Development The commitment to improve one's technical and personal growth.
Resource Management The ability to ensure the effective, efficient, and sustainable use of public service resources and assets, human and financial resources, real property, and business information.
Technical Competencies
The following technical competencies are specific to the Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture, classification.
Administration Knowledge of and ability to apply administrative procedures required in the enforcement of laws and rules; and Federal, State, Department, Division, and Branch policies and procedures to Branch operations. Knowledge of project management methodologies and principles; and principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel, and budget management.
Contracting/Procurement Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques for contracting or procurement, contract negotiation and administration, and contract management in order to effectively obtain written documentation and to ensure the delivery of products or services.
Financial Management Knowledge of State budget. Ability to prepare, justify, and/or administer the budget for program areas; plan, administer, and monitor expenditures to ensure cost-effective support of programs and policies; and assess an organization's financial condition.
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, government organization and functions, and the democratic political process; and rules of evidence and techniques for testifying as an expert witness and ability to provide expert testimony. Ability to develop, analyze, and present legislative and regulatory proposals.
Scientific Knowledge of relevant scientific and technical terms and principles relevant to and applicable to program success; basic principles of plant, plant pest, agriculture, wildlife, and other natural resource research; principles of ecology, statistical methods, and scientific research and methodology; land use practices with regard to their general effect on agriculture, natural resources, and the environment; State and Federal environmental rules, regulations, and requirements; and effects of chemicals and/or pests on human health, natural resources, and the environment. Ability to collect, analyze, review, check, interpret, and evaluate scientific, environmental, and technical data, report and reach sound conclusions, and prepare clear, complete, and technically accurate reports.
Technology Knowledge of current and developing technology and trends relevant to the Branch and program areas.
