AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SPECIALIST 2 - 66101

Executive Service

Agricultural Marketing Specialist 2

Department of Agriculture

Market Development

Nashville, TN

Monthly Salary: $4,017.00-$6,039.00

Closing Date: 03/24/2025

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/department/business-development-division/team.html

Who we are and what we do:

The Business Development Division works with Tennessee producers and agricultural/forestry businesses to build rural economies and increase farm and forest derived income. Development activities provide diverse growth opportunities, including industry and producer-focused incentives, as well as promotions that reach consumers and the non-farming public through a variety of methods.

How you make a difference in this role:

The Business Development Team works to attract new industry partners, as well as the expansion of existing agricultural and forestry businesses. Our team partners with agencies ranging from statewide producer associations to local governments and regional retail chains. The Business Development Team has longstanding relationships with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, USDA Rural Development, Tennessee Valley Authority, University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, UT/TSU Extension, and national and international trade associations like the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), U.S. Livestock Genetics Exports (USLGE) and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Key Responsibilities:

• Increase rural economic activity across all industry sectors consistent with department's strategic goals and in keeping with the Governor's Rural Initiative which focuses on Tennessee's distressed and at-risk counties.
• Place emphasis on distressed counties by encouraging growth and expansion in all sectors by providing grant information to new and existing businesses and encouraging participation in Agricultural Enterprise Fund, Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, Forestry, Agriculture and Rural Markets Grant as well as other funding programs.
• Serve as a contact for industry group engagement and opinion leaders. Employee will engage and assist all Tennessee ag-related boards and associations. Employee will also collaborate with industry partners such as Extension and producer associations to ensure continued relevancy of program.
• Share with perspective businesses interested in opening or expanding their current operations the available grant programs that Business Development offers.
• Conduct industry visits to discuss new grant opportunities, gather feedback on any issues the operation may be facing that hinders growth, and learn about any challenges such as funding availability. Also conduct verification of grant project fulfillment.
• Attend public-facing program outreach events such as PickTN Conference, field days, and association meetings to disperse program information.
• Collaborate across the TAEP/Business Development team to update and prepare program applications and reimbursement instructions.
• Audit reimbursement requests to ensure every applicant has submitted all required paperwork, including W9s, prior to processing reimbursement requests. Conduct follow up with applicants on all missing/illegible paperwork.
• Prepare, test, and troubleshoot programs data system in conjunction with STS, developing enhancements for system; work with STS to manage the programs online application and reimbursements.
• Answer incoming calls; mail application packets, reimbursement packets, approval notices and disapproval notices; respond to program inquiries; data entry.
• Provide customer service and education to all inquiries for assigned program area(s).

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree preferably in agribusiness, business administration, animal science or marketing. Qualified candidates should also possess experience in agribusiness development. Experience in rural economic development preferred. Graduate degrees in any of these areas listed above or similar are desired, but not required.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the States policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.