Job Description

Supplemental Information

Job Number: AES-50610569-8.11.23-BE

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

This position (#50610569) is located in the Office of Agricultural & Environmental Services-Industrial Hemp Division, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in East Baton Rouge Parish.

This position may be filled by probational appointment or promotion of a classified Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry employee serving with permanent status. Applicants who are not permanent employees of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will be required to serve a 24 month probationary period.

Applicants that possess experience greater than the minimum qualifications may be considered for a salary higher than the minimum hiring rate utilizing Louisiana Civil Service Rule 6.5g.
Applicants must have Civil Service test scores for the 8500-Office Support Exam in order to be considered for this vacancy, unless exempted by Civil Service Rules.

Applicants without current test scores can apply to take the test .

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

All applicants selected for employment must submit to drug screening.

For further information about this vacancy contact:
Brittany Evans
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Three years of experience in which clerical work was a major duty.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Training in a business or clerical-related curriculum in a business school or technical institute will substitute for the required experience on the basis of six months of training for six months of experience for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

Completion of a business or clerical-related curriculum in a business school or technical institute will substitute for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

College training will substitute for the required experience on the basis of 15 semester hours for six months of experience.

NOTE:

Business or technical school training with less than completion will only be credited in six month increments. Similarly, college training will only be credited in 15 semester hour increments.

NOTE: Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

Job Concepts

Function of Work:
To perform complex, often specialized, paraprofessional duties that require independent judgment to accomplish in support of the staff members and/or operations of an organizational unit or program.

Work requires individual discretion in the application of policies and procedures. Duties increase in scope and complexity, and consist mainly of departmental-program duties.

Level of Work:
Advanced.

Supervision Received:
General from higher-level clerical and/or supervisory personnel.

Supervision Exercised:
May supervise 1-2 lower-level personnel.

Location of Work:
May be used by all state agencies.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from Administrative Coordinator 3 by the presence of paraprofessional duties that involve a higher degree of specialization, complexity, and/or independent judgment.

Differs from Administrative Program Specialist--A by the absence of professional-level duties that involve a variety of administrative functions or management of a departmental or statewide program.

Examples of Work

The LDAF\'s Seed Programs Division is responsible for regulating all aspects of the Industrial Hemp Program in Louisiana. Programmatic activities include the management of advisory boards, approval and issuance of licenses, regulatory oversight, and the inspection, sampling, and testing of all seed and industrial hemp production lots. The incumbent is responsible for the administration of industrial hemp program duties. Direct supervision for this position is received from the Industrial Hemp Program Administrative Coordinator, and in the absence of the Program Coordinator, the Division Director.

60% - Public Contact and Technical Resource
Manage and update the industrial hemp program information database for regulatory tracking and program administration.

Answer and respond to calls, emails, and other inquiries for the Industrial Hemp Program, including, but not limited to general inquiries, law, rules & regulations, and policies.

Consult with licensees to ensure awareness of all industrial hemp program policies, rules, expectations, deadlines, fees, and program and commission updates.

Review industrial hemp license applications and verify all information and supporting documentation is accurate and complete, including criminal record review, GPS data on fields, indoor growing and processing facilities, types of seed, plant varieties grown, and other application requirements as necessary.

Contact applicants to request additional information for incomplete industrial hemp license applications; follow up and track applicant process to ensure completion in a manner consistent with program policy.

Communicate industrial hemp program information with other departments, agencies, applicants, licensees, and other program participants.

Process and file all routine industrial hemp, paperwork. Enter associated data into a department database.

Assist in developing procedures to notify licensees of industrial hemp program reporting requirements and verify the required reports have been received by LDAF.

Operate computers, scanners, printers, and other office equipment in the performance of duties.

Provide telephone support for the industrial hemp program by assisting callers to obtain additional or clarifying information when possible. Disseminate calls to appropriate personnel in the industrial hemp program; take messages and forward calls when necessary.

Perform document filing, organization and other related duties as required to ensure efficient operation of the industrial hemp program.

Remain up-to-date with specific industrial hemp program requirements and other program information. Convey that information to interested persons, the public, and industry associations in a clear and concise manner.

Collect and maintain all records required or requested by the supervisor, commission, law, and regulations.

Ensure all industrial hemp program fees are collected and documented, and the associated records are properly organized and maintained.

Serve as a technical resource for program inspection paperwork and database access and navigation for program staff and field personnel.

Assist in the preparation and participate in LDAF field inspector training events.

20% - Regulatory Enforcement
Collect, organize, and report industrial hemp data to other state and federal agencies in hard copy, electronically or via data transport program provided by USDA or other participating state and federal agencies.

Ensure all regulatory industrial hemp samples are tracked and documented, and that results are provided to licensees.

Assist in preparing regulatory case files and participate in regularly scheduled commission meetings and hearings.

20% - Laws, Boards, Other Duties & Special Projects
Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board

• Request and maintain agenda items for the board and subcommittee meetings.
• Assist in scheduling, organizing, and participating in the board and the various subcommittee meetings.
• Record, draft and maintain a permanent record of the board and subcommittee meeting proceedings.
• Ensure compliance by communicating with board members concerning annual Sexual Harassment, Ethics, and other required training, and maintain a record of the required training for all board members.
• Maintain a record of Oaths of Office for all board members.

Maintain adequate knowledge of the industrial hemp law, regulations, and polices to accurately answer questions from the public.

Direct, with staff oversight, general industrial hemp program issues that may arise.

Participate in an LDAF required safety program and ensure a safe working environment.

Other duties as may be assigned by the Industrial Hemp Program Administrative Coordinator or Division Director.

Functional Requirements:

• Moderate lifting; occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds
• Reaching above shoulders
• Sit over a long period of time at workstation or in a vehicle for travel
• Lifting items such as tools, computer, scanner or other items used to perform duties

Environmental Factors:

• Working indoors and occasionally outdoors when required

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year\'s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran\'s Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement - State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (

). LASERS has provided this to give you more detailed information about their system * Teacher\'s Retirement System of Louisiana (
), * Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (
), among others

State of Louisiana