DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a position within the Ulster County Department of Economic Development that is intended to amplify the Department’s capacity and capabilities to support farmers and farm-businesses in Ulster County that are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and adapting to meet ambitious federal, state and local climate-related goals in a time of inflationary and supply-chain challenges. The primary role of this position is to provide leadership toward the development and implementation of Ulster County’s Agricultural Crisis Relief Program (UCARP), a County-funded program that is intended to provide emergency relief to farmers and farm-businesses (agribusinesses), and support a more robust, diverse, and sustainable agricultural sector. The incumbent will lead and manage all functional areas of the UCARP including planning/design, stakeholder engagement, finance/budget management, implementation, evaluation and advancement, in consultation with a Steering Committee composed of members of the Ulster County Executive’s Office, the Ulster County ARPA Team, and the Ulster County Legislature, and in cooperation with the Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District, Ulster County Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Ulster County Planning Department and other local and regional stakeholders. With input and guidance from the Steering Committee, and support from the Director of Economic Development and other County staff, the incumbent will be expected to identify, analyze, plan and implement priorities to help the agricultural sector thrive into the future as it faces ecological, economic and social issues. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Economic Development. Supervision is not normally a function of this class. Does related work as required.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Through knowledge of the ecological, economic and social issues facing farmers and farm-businesses in Ulster County; good knowledge of the principles of project management; good knowledge of the project development process, including project design, review, and permitting; good knowledge of Federal, State and local climate-related regulations and guidelines impacting farmers and farm-businesses; good knowledge of state, county and local agriculture laws and regulations; good knowledge of the principles and practices of financial management, budgeting and budget preparation processes; good knowledge of Ulster County’s agricultural heritage, farmers and community; working knowledge of the concepts, national trends and current issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the agricultural community; ability to identify, analyze, plan and implement priorities to help the agricultural community; ability to accurately record and report work efforts and results; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people; ability to elicit staff cooperation and support of others; humility; integrity; initiative and resourcefulness; good powers of observation, perception and analysis; tact, courtesy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:
A. Possession of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Planning, Economic Development, Environmental Law or closely related field and one (1) year of administrative work experience in an agricultural/farm business or administrative work experience involving business development, planning, economic development, land/use conservation, environmental use or a closely related field; OR
B. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Planning, Economic Development, Environmental Law or closely related field and two (2) years of administrative work experience in an agricultural/farm business or administrative work experience involving business development, planning, economic development, land/use conservation, environmental use or a closely related field; OR
C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in A and B above.
Special Requirement for appointment to Ulster County positions: In accordance with Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 14 of 2007 or by other State and Federal Statutes, candidates for employment to all Ulster County positions must obtain clearance for appointment from the Department of Criminal Justice System or other mandated Federal and State regulatory authority based upon fingerprinting and a criminal history background check.
If this is an Ulster County position it will require a criminal background check and a candidate will be required to complete and sign a Criminal Background Investigation Release Form. Upon a conditional employment offer, a candidate will be required to be fingerprinted accordingly.
ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND ALL CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.