Seed Regulatory Program Manager
The North Dakota State Seed Department (NDSSD) is seeking a Seed Regulatory Program Manager to join our team. At the NDSSD, our mission is to assure integrity of the seed industry through commitment to client service and product quality. We offer rewarding and impactful work opportunities and a full range of employee benefits including a fully paid family health insurance plan, generous time-off, and a retirement plan. Summary of Work The Seed Regulatory Program Manager is responsible for the organization and management of all operational aspects of the NDSSD Field Seed Program, Regulatory Division. Primary functions include administration of labeling and fee permit systems; directing and managing full-time and temporary staff activity associated with all regulatory inspection processes; investigation of potential violations and recommendation of penalties; ensuring ND Regulatory program maintains state and national standards of quality.
Duties: • Effectively plan, organize, manage and allocate resources for seed regulatory activities involving full-time and temporary staff. • Organize and evaluate staff activity regarding inspection and audit of seed conditioning and retailing operations, while accurately administering seed licensing and permitting systems. • Establish and maintain working relationships with internal staff and external partners or businesses related to the wholesale or retail seed industry. • Review, recommend changes and ensure compliance to ND Century Code and Administrative Code regarding seed regulatory and certification issues. • Develop and implement educational programs relating to seed production, labeling, state seed laws, Federal Seed Act, Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and other regulatory issues. • Develop and implement promotional and educational programs relating to certified seed production and conditioning industry. Facilitate production of publications and newsletters related to field seed program. • Represent the NDSSD at public meetings and functions, at state, national and international level relating to seed regulatory, seed law or legislative issues. • Monitor seed sales and offerings of seed for sale; investigate questionable or illegal activities; recommend agency action and penalties regarding violations. • Organize and ensure laboratory testing of regulatory samples leading to successful enforcement of labeling standards, or documentation and determination of violations. • Conduct field inspections as needed for regulatory investigations and in support of field seed certification programs.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in plant sciences field and two year’s work experience in seed regulatory, seed marketing, seed certification or seed production that included supervisory work experience. An Associate degree in an agricultural related field and four years of work experience as described above may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree requirement. Preferred Qualifications • Master’s degree in agricultural, plant sciences or business related field. • Technical knowledge and work experience in seed certification and/or seed quality assurance or commodity identity preservation programs. • Technical knowledge and work experience in state and federal seed laws, seed labeling requirements and/or Plant Variety Protection/plant patents. • Technical knowledge work experience in seed conditioning processes including equipment and seed conditioning plant operations.
Equal Employment Opportunity The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act. As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.