Soil Testing Section Chief / Assistant Director

Job title: Soil Testing Section Chief / Assistant Director

Company: State of North Carolina

Job description: Description of WorkThe North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Agronomic Services Division is currently offering a great opportunity to join its team as one of its lead scientists. As Section Chief of Soil Testing, you will administer and direct the statewide soil testing program that provides agronomic laboratory and advisory services that help growers maximize crop productivity and protect environmental quality. This is an advanced position involving professional, technical, and administrative work. This NCDA&CS lab is the largest publicly operated soil testing laboratory in the USA, analyzing approximately 300,000 samples annually. With a laboratory staff of fourteen, its daily production capacity is over 3,000 samples, using custom-designed robotic equipment in a robust analytical environment. Laboratory data are used to generate soil test reports with test results and lime and fertilizer recommendations. About 85% of samples are agriculturally based, coming largely from NC commercial farms producing corn, soybeans, small grains, cotton, peanuts, tobacco, sweet potatoes, blueberries, Fraser fir, and other commodities; other clients utilizing soil testing service include homeowners, golf course managers, and researchers. As Assistant Director, you will help oversee the day-to-day operations of two major support programs, Information Technology (IT) and Field Services. You will also help the Director develop and implement organizational policies, assist in setting short- and long-term goals, and represent the Division as needed.In this role as a Section Chief of Soil Testing, you will:

• Develop program objectives, goals, and priorities to maintain and further improve client services.
• Submit requests for program funding for personnel, equipment, and supplies.
• Manage the Soil Testing Section to ensure excellent laboratory quality control.
• Supervise Chemistry Supervisor I and Agronomist I.
• Maintain a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database for soil test summary characterization.
• Provide interpretation of analytical results into site-specific fertilizer and lime recommendations utilizing the best science available to optimize productivity and protect the environment from over-application of nutrients.
• Modify or develop soil testing methods as needed.
• Conduct soil fertility research in collaboration with other scientists to improve, validate or generate fertilizer and lime recommendations for existing or emerging commodities.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with other scientists involved in soil testing throughout the country.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with key agricultural commodity leaders and specialists with a focus on current and developing needs.
• Provide technical expertise to the Agronomic Division’s regional agronomists and other agency personnel such as employees with NC Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Division and Districts, and NC Department of Environmental Quality.
• Maintain a strong safety program for all employees.

In this role as Assistant Director:

• Supports the Division Director: As needed, help the Director in planning and administering the overall division program & budget, support the Director in short- and long-term goals, provide guidance on personnel decisions, and build alliances with strategic partners, and serve as Acting Director when asked.
• Supervise two IT software developers who are responsible for developing, maintaining, and enhancing application solutions to meet the complex data management needs of the division. This effort is related to our LIMS system and our Public Access Laboratory System (PALS), which is a client portal. You will interact with the technical IT manager of these two employees.
• Supervise the Agricultural Program Manager III who is the section chief of Field Services. Field services is a state-wide network of twelve agronomists who provide on-site assistance to commercial growers in implementing management recommendations.

The NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division provides statewide diagnostic and advisory services that increase agricultural productivity, promote responsible land management, and safeguard environmental quality. The Division is comprised of three laboratory sections and a field services section with a combined total of 60 employees. The Agronomic Division maintains a very active, employee-led safety program and is recognized as a Public-Sector Star site by the NC Department of Labor..The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provide services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees..Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / CompetenciesThe Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application. To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:Knowledge of the principles and practices of soil chemistry; soil fertility; fertilizers; and crop and soil management.Knowledge of analytical techniques involved in soil testing.Knowledge of environmental conditions and agricultural practices in the State.Ability to plan, direct, critically think, and supervise a soil testing program. • Ability to supervise others.Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse clientele, including farmers, crop consultants, fertilizer dealers, commodity leaders, and others.Ability to design and conduct laboratory and field experiments using effective statistical design.Ability to analyze and draw valid and applicable conclusions from data collected in the field and from research experiments.Ability to prepare analytical reports and presentations and to organize and present scientific information in a clear and concise manner.Ability to assess fiscal, personnel, and program needs and to recommend and support appropriate actions to management.Ability to plan and implement complex programs. Management Preferences:

• Experience working in a lab.
• Prior experience working and/or leading employees in an agricultural laboratory setting.

Minimum Education and Experience RequirementsDoctoral degree in agronomy, agricultural science, horticultural science, soil science, plant nutrition, crop science or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in an advisory, experimental or educational aspects of plant nutrition or soil management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Supplemental and Contact InformationAny employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate’s related education and experience.Please follow instructions to apply on-line. It is important that your application includes all of your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application. Applicants seeking veteran’s/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety sensitive positions and positions requiring a Pilot’s License or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver’s License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.**Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete. **Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201.NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:
There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.For permanent and time-limited appointments:
Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

Expected salary: $62739 – 109794 per year

Location: Wake County, NC

Job date: Wed, 01 May 2024 04:30:17 GMT

Apply for the job now!