AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS COORDINATOR - ANIMAL FOOD - 11102026-82803

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture seeks a detail-oriented program coordinator to supervise and coordinate agricultural programs, monitor compliance, and advise on regulatory actions. The role is based on-site at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, TN, with interactions across food, dairy, and feed sectors.

The position requires strong writing and analytical skills, experience in regulatory coordination, and the ability to gather information, assess data, and communicate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, animal science, biology, chemistry or related field plus two years of professional coordination experience.
• Experience may substitute for education year-for-year up to four years; no substitution for required two years of specialized experience.
• Graduate coursework may substitute for education up to two years.
• A valid driver’s license may be required for employment.
• Education and Experience: 100% examination method for Preferred Service positions.

Responsibilities

• Explains rules and regulations during consultations or investigations to increase compliance understanding.
• Based on inspector's findings and applicable laws, determines the appropriate regulatory action (e.g., notice of violation).
• Makes recommendations to regulated entities to resolve violations and ensure compliance.
• Reviews findings/data to determine compliance with state laws and regulations.
• Observes industry practices to verify procedures and provide guidance on compliance and process improvement.
• Reviews applications for testing, production processes, product registration, and label review.
• Gathers samples for compliance issues in food, dairy, and feed sectors.
• Gathers information about regulated entities to update permits and records.
• Reviews last inspection reports to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conducts program monitoring and supports grant-funded cooperative agreements.

Skills

Writing

Active Listening

Judgment & Decision Making

Reading Comprehension

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Tools

Office Equipment

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/10/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 11/16/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $4,608.00

Salary (Annually) $55,296.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Nashville, TN

Department Agriculture

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is with Pesticides and will be based on-site at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Ellington Agricultural Center campus in Nashville, Tennessee.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in food science, animal science, biology, chemistry or other related acceptable field and two years of full-time increasingly responsible professional coordination of agriculture programs.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Additional full-time professional experience in a field as listed above may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years, there being no substitution for the required two years of specialized experience.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate coursework from an accredited college or university in food science, animal science, biology, chemistry or other related acceptable field may substitute on a year for year basis to a maximum of two years.

Necessary Special Qualifications: A valid vehicle operator's license may be required for employment in some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under general supervision, is responsible for coordinating various aspects of agricultural programs, including performing program monitoring, investigative and consultative work of average difficulty; and performing other related work as required.

An employee in this class performs various information gathering, investigative, and program monitoring tasks and includes interactions with regulated entities relevant to compliance issues and process improvements in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of consumer and industrial products in the State of Tennessee. This class differs from Agriculture Program Specialist in that an incumbent of the latter specializes in policy and procedure development. This class differs from Agriculture Program Manager in that an incumbent of the latter manages a small to medium size program.

Responsibilities

• Explains rules and regulations during consultations or investigations to increase compliance understanding.


• Based on inspector's findings and applicable laws, rules and regulations, determines/recommends the appropriate regulatory action to take (e.g., notice of violation, critical item notice, removed from sale, permit suspension, or other appropriate action).


• Makes recommendations to regulated entities to help them resolve violations and become compliant. Investigates potential health risks caused by disasters such as floods, fires, and regulated product transport accidents to determine necessary action (e.g., seizure, condemnation, destruction of product).


• Reviews findings/data relevant to regulated entities to determine their compliance with applicable State laws and regulations.


• Observes industry practices (i.e., relevant to the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food, dairy, and/or feed) to verify procedures and offer guidance relevant to compliance and process improvement.


• Reviews submitted applications relative to testing, production processes, product registration, and label review to collect information for processing the applications.


• Gathers samples as needed for compliance issues relevant to the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food, dairy, and/or feed.


• Gathers information about regulated entities (i.e., establishments used in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food, dairy, and/or feed (e.g., name, address, type, ownership) as needed to update information and verify permits are current.


• Reviews last inspection report for regulated entity to obtain information needed to determine/ensure compliance with regulations.


• Continually reviews grant-funded programs to ensure adequate progress is being made in achieving cooperative agreement standards.


• Conducts visual inspections of establishments used in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food, dairy, and/or feed to verify compliance with regulations.


• Estimates needs/costs relevant to cooperative agreements to assist the program administrator in determining budget requirements.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Instills Trust


• Organizational Savvy


• Customer Focus


• Balances Stakeholders


• Action Oriented

Knowledge

• Production and Processing


• Food Production


• Communications and Media


• Customer and Personal Service


• Clerical

Skills

• Writing


• Active Learning and Listening


• Judgment and Decision Making


• Reading Comprehension


• Time Management

Abilities

• Speech Clarity


• Visualization


• Visual Color Discrimination


• Mathematical Reasoning


• Multilimb Coordination

Tools & Equipment

• Office Equipment

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license


• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

• Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.