Agency Information: Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days (8 am to 5 pm)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $72,000 – 78,000 Per Year
• Hourly Pay Range: $34.62 – $39.00 Per Hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

This position will remain posted until filled.

Location: KDA Headquarters. Riley County, Kansas

The director of agribusiness development works to promote Kansas agriculture by leading the agency's agribusiness development team in retaining Kansas farms, ranches, and agribusinesses while also working to attract farms, ranches, and agribusinesses to Kansas. The director leads KDA's retention and recruitment efforts and facilitates planning and implementation of all programs and services designed to accomplish retention and recruitment goals. The director also works closely with other divisions and programs within the Kansas Department of Agriculture as well as other state and federal agencies and state and national commodity commissions and agricultural trade associations.

Major Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee a two-to-three-member team of agribusiness development professionals.
• Mentor small, medium, and large-scale farms, ranches and agribusinesses to meet current and future business expansion and /or relocation needs.
• Mentor county/communities to meet community economic development initiatives focused on agriculture that are identified through engagement within the Strategic Growth Initiative.
• Partner with county and regional economic development professionals to assist them with their needs in retaining and recruiting farms, ranches, and agribusinesses. Partner organizations may include Western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance (WKREDA), K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) Community Vitality.
• Work with state and federal agencies to assist farms, ranches, and agribusinesses with permit and regulatory processes as well as workforce development initiatives. Partner agencies and organizations may include Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas Small Business Development Center, NetWork Kansas, USDA Rural Development, Kansas Chamber, etc.
• Coordinate, manage and execute outreach, outcomes, and action steps defined in the Kansas Agriculture Growth Strategy.
• Define and develop marketing strategies for reaching farms, ranches, and agribusinesses through media, tradeshows, site visits, workshops, etc.
• Partner with land-grant institutions and industry/organizations to support agriculture growth initiatives and business development partnerships.
• Occasional day, overnight, and international travel may be required. Approximately 20% travel.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum Qualification: undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience.
• A Bachelor of Science in an agriculture-related field or marketing field and international business travel knowledge are preferred.
• Preferred 2-4 years of marketing or business development in an agriculture related field.
• The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of, and/or experience in, the agriculture industry.
• Candidates should have demonstrated ability in problem solving, strategic thinking, communication, have strong relationship-building skills, and demonstrate success with project execution/management of multiple tasks/campaigns simultaneously.
• Strong multi-tasking, project management and prioritization skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
  • DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

• Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
  • Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
  • Cover Letter

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

• Instructions:
  • Job Search
  • Registration & User Account
  • Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter