Deputy Administrator, Plant Health and Compliance

Announcement Number: 965087583

JOE LOMBARDO STATE OF NEVADA J.J. GOICOECHEA, DVM
Governor Director
Las Vegas Office: Elko Office:
2300 East St. Louis Ave. 4780 East Idaho Street
Las Vegas, NV 89104-4211 Elko, NV 89801-4672
(702) 668-4590 (775) 753-1360
Fax (702) 668-4567 Fax (775) 738-2639
NDA Rev. 03-2019
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
405 South 21st Street
Sparks, Nevada 89431-5557
Telephone (775) 353-3601 Fax (775) 353-3661
Website: http://www.agri.nv.gov
UNCLASSIFIED JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Posted May 6, 2024
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR
DIVISION OF PLANT HEALTH AND COMPLIANCE
NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Recruitment Open To:
This is an open competitive recruitment, open to all qualified applicants. This position is appointed by and serves
at the pleasure of the Director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
The mission of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada
agriculture. The NDA has five divisions - Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food
and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance, with a $288 million annual budget. The NDA's 225 dedicated
employees provide regulatory and administrative work to support the agriculture and food manufacturing industries,
protect public and environmental health and worker safety, provide oversight for the United States Department of
Agriculture's school and community nutrition programs, as well as partner with food security organizations for food
distribution. The NDA has offices in Sparks, Las Vegas, and Elko.
THE POSITION:
This position serves under the direction of the Plant Health and Compliance Division Administrator and is
responsible for assisting in the management of the Division of Plant Health and Compliance operations. The
Division of Plant Health and Compliance programs include: plant pathology, entomology, pesticide compliance,
chemistry, noxious weeds, and crops. The duties include, but are not limited to, all division personnel related tasks;
aiding in regulatory program oversight; fiscal management; human resources; division progress tracking and
updates; testing, inspection, licensing, certification, and service programs; and supervision and direction of staff
performing regulatory, testing, inspection, enforcement, evaluation, and certification responsibilities statewide. The
incumbent will also be engaged in policy development, ensuring compliance with state and federal statutes, and
working with representatives from local, state and federal government agencies, community organizations,
businesses and the public. Program coordination at the federal level to include USDA APHIS SITC (Smuggling
Interdiction and Trade Compliance), USDA AMS COOL (Country of Origin Labeling), USDA APHIS Cooperative
Agriculture Pest Survey grants, and Pest Detection and exclusion Farm Bill projects will also be required.
This position is the highest management position under the Administrator for the Division of Plant Health and
Compliance, overseeing the Division at the Sparks headquarters office. It will have responsibility for working
collaboratively with other department management and staff, representatives of other state agencies, federal and
local jurisdictions, vendors, industry representatives and others in the community to coordinate program activities,
provide and obtain information, and resolve problems.

The successful candidate for this position must have proven communication, interpersonal and management skills,
and the ability to work with a diverse employee base.

LOCATION:
This position is located in Sparks, Nevada, and travel will be required across the state to engage with industry
stakeholders and attend meetings plus make visits to Elko and Las Vegas NDA offices. Sparks/Reno is located at
the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is home to a university, community college, and offers a thriving arts
scene, big-name entertainment, and a wide variety of recreational activities. Lake Tahoe, historic Virginia City, and
the state capitol, Carson City are all within a half-hour drive. The climate is seasonal; summers are warm and dry
with cool evenings; winters are cold and dry with moderate snowfall. Low taxes and no state income tax.

APPROXIMATE Annual Salary:
Up to $111,773 plus benefits. The salary range reflects retirement through the Public Employees' Retirement
System of Nevada (NVPERS), with contributions by both the employee/employer paid contribution plan. An
employer paid contribution plan is also available with a reduced gross salary.

Benefits:
Medical, dental, vision care, life and disability insurance programs are available; twelve paid holidays per year;
three weeks of annual leave; three weeks of sick leave; state defined benefit retirement plan; tax-sheltered deferred
compensation plan available. State employees do not contribute to Social Security; however, a Medicare deduction
is required. Long-term employees enjoy additional benefits. For additional information, please visit the Department
of Administration's Division of Human Resource Management, the Nevada Public Employees' Benefits Program,
and NVPERS.

TO QUALIFY:
Preference will be given to candidates with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college in one of the agricultural
sciences or directly related field and at least five years of experience in the regulatory oversight or management of
agriculture. Experience in production agriculture, animal science, biology, natural resource management, range
management, supervision of personnel, familiarity and experience in state administrative, legislative, and budgeting
procedures is preferred; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above and deemed
acceptable by the Director will be considered. Successful candidates will demonstrate the following:
• Ability to collaborate and lead through example, self-awareness, motivation, empathy, and social and
interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and application of current management trends and principles.
• Ability to direct multiple programs involving multi-disciplinary staff.
• Effective communication of ideas and principles through public speaking and concise written documents.
• Application of a code of ethics in the business environment.
• Ability to form and maintain positive working relationships with employees, industry, local government,
state and federal organizations.
• Knowledge of agriculture and plant industry related industries and their economic importance.
• Knowledge and application of fiscal and human resource policy.
• Ability to review and streamline processes and make changes for efficiency and paperless work.
• Ability to solve problems and address and resolve conflict, and
• Knowledge of legislative processes.

LICENSE:
Requires a valid Nevada Driver's License at the time of appointment or obtained within 30 days of appointment.

APPLICATION SUBMITTALS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED:
All letters of interest and resumes will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Hiring may occur at any time
during the recruitment process. To be considered, all submittals shall include a cover letter, response to the
below Additional Requirements' questions, a resume/curriculum vitae, and the name, email address, and
telephone number for three professional references and their connection to you, e.g., former supervisor, co-
worker, etc. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a background investigation and fingerprinting at
their own expense.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Please respond to the following questions in a clear and concise manner. Read the questions carefully and respond
in detail, including timeframes, size of budgets and/or teams, funding types, references to specific regulations or
statutes when applicable, and level of responsibility in each position as it relates to experience in the question.
1. Describe your experience with agriculture industry regulations.
2. Describe your experience and strengths relative to resource management, both human and equipment.
3. Describe your experience with bringing individuals together to arrive at a consensus.
4. Describe your experience in fiscal management, including developing and managing a budget.
5. Describe your supervisory experience in leading a team, including number and types of positions
supervised.
6. Describe your experience with developing presentations, reports, etc., for diverse groups and needs.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Submissions will be reviewed to determine those with the most appropriate qualifications. Those individuals will
be invited for an interview. Initial interviews will be in-person with virtual options at the discretion of the Director.
Subsequent interviews will be in person at the Sparks, Nevada, headquarters at the applicant's expense. Final
selection will be made by the NDA hiring panel and Director.

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS/DIRECT INQUIRIES TO:
Meghan Brown, Administrator
Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Health and Compliance
4780 Idaho St.
Elko, Nevada, 89801
m.brown@agri.nv.gov

PLEASE REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR EMAIL SUBJECT LINE:
Last Name/Division of Plant Health and Compliance Deputy Administrator/How you heard about this position.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work
environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered
without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity
or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.



Closing Date/Time: Until recruitment needs are satisfied

Sparks, Nevada United States View Map