Animal Food Program Specialist (Agronomic Program Specialist)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture seeks an Agronomic Program Specialist to oversee statewide regulatory programs for commercial feed and ensure animal food safety. You will coordinate inspections, evaluate lab analyses for compliance, and support staff and partners with technical guidance.

The role emphasizes enforcement actions, regulatory updates, and collaboration to strengthen agricultural practices across Pennsylvania.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities; and four years of paraprofessional experience applying quality, safety, and efficacy protocols of agronomic products for manufacturers or producers.
• Three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities; and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, agribusiness management, agricultural and extension education, animal science, biological engineering, plant science, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage statewide regulatory programs for commercial feed compliance
• Implement animal food safety efforts that protect both animal and human health
• Organize inspection processes and assess laboratory analyses for compliance
• Provide information, training, and support to internal staff and external partners
• Recommend corrective actions and monitor penalty settlements for violations
• Prepare documents, respond to inquiries, and assist with statewide regulatory updates

Skills

Regulatory inspections

Quality assurance

Agronomic safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences or related field

Job description

Step into a role where your expertise supports safer, stronger agricultural systems. The Department of Agriculture is seeking an Agronomic Program Specialist who enjoys research, problem-solving, and collaboration. This position allows you to influence statewide standards that protect both animals and people. Build a career that supports Pennsylvania’s farming and food communities.

This position manages and supports statewide programs that regulate commercial feed and promote animal food safety. The work helps protect public health, ensure compliance with state and federal laws, and strengthen agricultural practices. As an Agronomic Program Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Oversight: Develop and manage statewide regulatory programs for commercial feed compliance
• Safety Coordination: Implement animal food safety efforts that protect both animal and human health
• Sampling Management: Organize inspection processes and assess laboratory analyses for compliance
• Technical Guidance: Provide information, training, and support to internal staff and external partners
• Enforcement Actions: Recommend corrective actions and monitor penalty settlements for violations
• Regulatory Support: Prepare documents, respond to inquiries, and assist with statewide regulatory updates

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position requires travel 2-4 weeks per year
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• One year of experience as an Agronomic Products Inspector or a Plant Inspector (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities; and four years of paraprofessional experience applying quality, safety, and efficacy protocols of agronomic products for manufacturers or producers; or
• Three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities; and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, agribusiness management, agricultural and extension education, animal science, biological engineering, plant science, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes three years of professional experience conducting regulatory or quality assurance inspections of agronomic products or facilities.

Other Requirements

• You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.