Food Ag Development Specialist

The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for our Food & Agriculture Development Specialist. The first review of candidates will be March 18 2026. This position is eligible for a hybrid remote schedule and once training is complete may report to one of our field offices outside of Helena.

The Montana Department of Agriculture operates more than 30 programs. These include regulatory programs that protect producers consumers and the environment as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture. Our agency is serving Montana agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky.

The Agricultural Development & Marketing Division is responsible for administering programs that promote and enhance Montana agriculture.

Job Overview:

This position is principally responsible for developing implementing and managing a variety of business and industry development activities that promote and sustain both individual agri-businesses and statewide food and agriculture systems. The incumbent will serve as the Program Manager for the Food & Agriculture Development Center Network and will coordinate and participate in strategic planning and development initiatives across the Network. Serves as a program liaison with citizen stakeholder programs and organizations to promote local food systems development. The position coordinates with other Bureau staff according to the needs and objectives of the programs Bureau Division and the Department. Duties include program development and administration program implementation and other duties as necessary to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Bureau and Agency.

As a Food & Agriculture Development Specialist you will:

• Assess program and client needs and ensure that program objectives are met.
• Work with community members and other stakeholders to identify necessary programs and services.
• Identify suggest or implement improvements to programs and services.
• Plan and oversee outreach activities.
• Review interpret and monitor compliance with guidelines laws and regulations.
• Prepare reports.
• May provide training or technical assistance to partners.
• May coordinate activities of program committees or other groups and plan procedures.
• Recommend manage and control program budgets authorized by the legislature.
• Work within programs funding sources to ensure compliance with regulations legislative and rule change and secured funds.
• Develop needs assessments reporting requirements and data measurements to determine program effectiveness.
• Oversee administrative aspects of programs to meet the objectives of the stakeholders.
• Create and develop policies or program guidelines.
• Conduct public outreach and partnership development and develop analyze and research marketing and sales strategies.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Works in an office environment. Position requires the ability to move at least 25 pounds on an occasional basis.
• The position is generally sedentary in nature but incumbents typically perform some light stretching reaching twisting stooping and bending when performing routine office duties.
• Work frequently involves travelling to perform duties including sales deliveries marketing campaigns data collection and attending conferences.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds during trade show activities and conferences (e.g. equipment booths publications etc.).
• Ability to work effectively under challenging situations associated with linguistic barriers cultural differences and social protocols and travel displacement (i.e. jet lag).
• Work may involve long hours outside of a normal working day.
• Travel may involve adverse weather conditions isolated areas or conditions that may be dusty or noisy.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the concepts and theories of business administration marketing and business protocols.
• Knowledge of business administration principles and practices; program management; contract administration principles.
• Knowledge of economic issues related to agriculture; AFTD Bureau goals; legislative processes; strategic marketing and planning practices; and statistical demographics and analysis.
• Skills in program management plan implementation.
• Skills in applying advanced research methods and techniques; explaining technical concepts to a variety of audiences including government officials agri-business representatives and producers; as well as persuading others to adopt a positive perception of Montanas agri-business environment.
• Ability to apply analysis and judgment in arriving at solutions to routine unusual and unprecedented business problems.
• Ability to apply innovation judgment and professional expertise to the effective development implementation and operation of a new program.
• Knowledge of market development and program promotion techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
  

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in business marketing economic development agriculture or related field.
• Two years of work experience in a related field.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits:
Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation package! Upon date of hire employees working at least half-time for more than six months are eligible for state paid premiums toward employee core medical dental and basic life insurance coverage. Employees earn 15 working days of annual leave 12 days of sick leave and 10-11 paid holidays each year. Membership in a Retirement System - vesting criteria applies.