Produce Safety Administrative Assistant (AA3)

Job Description

Produce Safety Administrative Assistant (AA3)

The WSDA Produce Safety Program encourages the safe production of fruits and vegetables through education, technical assistance, and enforcement of the FDA Produce Safety Rule. The Produce Safety Administrative Assistant (AA3) position provides direct administrative support to the Program Manager and several program staff. This position ensures accurate implementation of administrative procedures, office practices, correspondence preparation, and State and Agency policies. This position also answers questions from the public and stakeholders about the FDA Produce Safety Rule requirements and farm coverage under the Rule or redirects appropriately.

Why join WSDA?
The Department of Agriculture offers:

• 12 Paid Holidays, Leave & Vacation
• A great total compensation and benefits package
• Meaningful work for the State of Washington
• Supported growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, teleworking, and an Infants in the Workplace Program

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

Duties
What makes this role unique?

This position provides an opportunity for you to work with a team of professionals on a wide array of activities related to the microbial food safety of Washington’s produce. You will perform a variety of duties that are core to the success of our program. In addition, you will have the added benefit of working with a team of people who are passionate about their work and eager to share their knowledge and mentor new produce safety colleagues.

What this position does, includes:

• Provides high-level and confidential administrative support to the Program Manager and Program staff.
• Participates in budget development and budget management including tracking expenditures, document control, reconciliation of monthly reports, and analysis of FTE usage.
• Ensures cooperative agreement/grant guidelines and restrictions are adhered to.
• Develops, tracks, processes, and/or administers contracts.
• Coordinates personnel processes such as onboarding new team members and administering purchasing, timekeeping, payroll, and travel arrangements and reimbursements.
• Schedules and coordinates the logistics of various meetings and conference calls.
• Serves as program records coordinator and public disclosure task recipient.
• Provides support at produce grower trainings and Program conference booths.
• Manages the Program phone and email account, responding to stakeholder inquiries or forwarding them on to the appropriate team member.

Qualifications
Required Education & Experience:

High school graduation or GED.

AND

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in office/clerical, secretarial, bookkeeping, accounting, or general administrative or program assistant work which must include experience making and processing complex travel arrangements and reimbursements and taking the lead in coordinating all arrangements and logistics for meetings and workshops.

Desired:

• Experience in agriculture or regulated field/industry.
• Knowledge of public disclosure and records retention regulations and schedules.
• Understanding of state compliance regulations as related to purchasing, travel, contracts, and meetings.

Supplemental Information

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• A cover letter describing why you are the best candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,952.00 – $50,592.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Olympia, WA 98501: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Work Location: One location