AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND REPRESENTATIVE

DEFINITION

This is professional public contact work for the Department of Agriculture in representing the programs of the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) in an assigned area of the state.

An employee in this class represents and promotes financial assistance and career-awareness programs through news releases, presentations to agricultural associations and youth organizations, visits to lending institutions, educational facilities and government agencies. Work is performed under the general supervision of the program coordinator or other designated administrative superior and is primarily reviewed through the submission of activity reports; however, the employee exercises independence and initiative in the performance of assigned responsibilities within established guidelines.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Represents and promotes financial assistance programs such as direct loans, interest rebates, building grants, scholarships and career awareness programs to lending institutions, vocational agriculture instructors, extension youth specialists, college personnel, high school counselors, agricultural organizations, and related government agencies.

Inspects completed rural community building projects to determine compliance with building grant guidelines.

Performs loan reviews for direct loan programs, including on-site inspections of farm property, appraisal of assets, review of financial statements and cash flow projections, and verification of debts with creditors; conducts closings of direct loans approved by the review committee.

Provides program information through news releases and interviews with local news media.

Makes presentations to agricultural associations, civic organizations and youth groups.

Attends and participates in agricultural conventions, meetings, fairs and other events; sets up and staffs informational displays.

Develops and recommends to superiors proposed new or improved financial assistance or related Agriculture Development Fund programs.

Plans and schedules work activities to achieve established goals; prepares and submits activity reports.

Trains and orients new employees when directed.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of public relations and promotional techniques.

Working knowledge of agriculture.

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of finance and banking.

Ability to interpret policies, laws and operations.

Ability to stimulate public interest and support for ADF programs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agricultural groups and associations, lending institutions, government officials and the general public.

Ability to independently establish and complete daily work schedules.

Ability to travel extensively in the performance of assigned duties.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in agriculture, marketing, business or public administration, finance, economics or closely related areas. (Technical or responsible public contact work in credit interviewing, sales, business or public administration or closely related areas may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)

(Eff. 11/1/92)