Join the Agricultural Development Division to grow Vermont's agriculture and food system. The Assistant Director manages division operations and supervises staff who lead the Working Lands, Marketing, and Market Development teams. The assistant collaborates closely with the Division Director, Agency leadership, and staff to engage with colleagues, partners, and constituents and further the collaboration and cohesion of the division's work. 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets seeks a dynamic and passionate Assistant Director to join our Agriculture Development Division team. The Assistant Director will collaborate with the Division Director to manage division operations, focusing on integration and coordination of programs, policy and strategic systems development, equitable and balanced work culture, and staff supervision. This position will work with the Division Director, Agency leadership, and management and program level staff to achieve effective, efficient, and meaningful engagement with our colleagues, partners, and constituents. As a leader in the Agricultural Development Division, candidates should enjoy team collaboration, facilitating problem solving, and coordinating a devoted group of public servants.  

The position will oversee and administer budgets and guide and develop program expansion in support of our division's mission to cultivate Vermont's agriculture and food system through grantmaking, marketing, strategic collaboration, and connecting businesses and communities to vital resources. The Assistant Director will engage in budget planning and monitoring; grant and contract management; division and program operations; and staffing and personnel actions in support of working land businesses, supply chain and food system development initiatives. This position will have ongoing engagement with agriculture and food-based businesses, industry leaders, nonprofit and public sector partners, policy makers, and consumers. This position is a critical member of our leadership team as it oversees our Working Lands, Marketing, and Market Development teams. 

We seek a candidate with experience in budget development, strategic planning principles and practices, staff coaching and mentorship, and a background of collaborative work with a dedicated and diverse team. This position will be responsible for direct and indirect staff management and partnership with program leaders at the national, state, and local organizational levels. Work will include providing strategic policy and priority planning direction, facilitating complex programmatic development and change, ensuring consistent and integrated programming across the division, and representing the division's agriculture viability and food marketing priorities through a variety of projects, events, and committees.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

 Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.