Introduction
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation. As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.
Our Agriculture and Seafood Marketing program is a State-wide program connecting consumers to fresh and local Maryland products, works to identify and develop profitable marketing local, national, and international opportunities for Maryland farmers and agricultural producers. The program also serves as a conduit for federal resources and for policy information specific to the agricultural sector. These programs have a direct and indirect financial impact on farmers and producers and affect the way they sell their products and develop new buyers.
Maryland Market Money (MMM) is a statewide food access program that feeds Marylanders and supports farmers. MMM removes economic barriers for Marylanders experiencing food insecurity, providing a dollar-for-dollar match for purchases made using federal nutrition benefits at participating Maryland farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs while providing technical assistance, training, marketing, and additional services to stakeholders.
If you have a passion to market Maryland as a thriving and diverse state creating sustainability in the agricultural industry, come join our team and make a difference!
GRADE
14
LOCATION OF POSITION
50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Main Purpose of Job
This contractual position leads the strategic growth, implementation, and evaluation of the Maryland Market Money (MMM) program and assists with related food access initiatives within Agriculture and Seafood Marketing at the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). Through program development, stakeholder engagement, grant management, and community outreach, the position works to increase equitable access to fresh, local food for Marylanders while supporting the profitability of local farmers and food producers. By aligning food access efforts with MDA’s broader goals, this role plays a critical part in strengthening Maryland’s local food systems, connecting economically diverse consumers to direct-marketing farmers, and promoting agricultural profitability across the state.
POSITION DUTIES
Lead program planning for Maryland Market Money and other food access programs as needed. Administer program budgets (approximately $600,000), data tracking, and reporting to ensure efficiency and sustainability. Maintain and expand MMM participation by developing recruitment strategies for new access points. Provide technical assistance, including marketing and communications, to farmers markets, farmers, and community organizations regarding food access, market operations, and benefits acceptance.
Collaborate with MDA staff, software developers and MMM access points to implement digital electronic incentives. Collect and oversee program data collection, tracking, and analysis to monitor impact and inform strategic decisions. Collaborate with the MDA staff to develop and further improve and implement effective data tracking systems. Develop and maintain relationships and contracts with jurisdictional, state, and federal funders.
Write grant proposals to support MMM and food access initiatives. Create timely and accurate reporting for funders, stakeholders, and Agriculture and Seafood Marketing Program leadership. Collaborate with Marketing program staff to utilize data and reports to create public-facing marketing materials for farmers markets and consumers. Develop and oversee the implementation of a marketing and communications plan within the allocated budget to increase program visibility.
Collaborate with MDA Marketing team to create web content and public relations for MMM, including newsletters, press releases, and promotional materials. Represent MDA at industry events, giving presentations and participating in panels on food access, incentive programs, and farmers markets. Develop and maintain continued engagement with farmers, market managers, program participants, and partner organizations. Network with other state and regional food access programs to strengthen Maryland’s role in incentive and farmers market nutrition benefits programming.
Attend and contribute to workgroups, partner meetings, and relevant conferences to advance food access initiatives. Develop training materials and resources for program stakeholders. Maintain appropriate confidentiality of information and adherence to all MDA requirements as promulgated from time to time. Participate in regular staff meetings. Collaborate effectively with other staff in MDA; participate in agency-wide initiatives as requested.
Travel throughout Maryland to visit markets, attend events, and represent the program. Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to support farmers markets and events. Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Six years of experience, two years of successful, progressively responsible experience in marketing, marketing research, economic analysis or a phase of the production, promotion or distribution of agricultural products and an additional four years of experience in the area of economics, mathematics, statistics, marketing, consumer behavior, marketing research, sales, advertising, or public affairs.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of successful, progressively responsible experience in marketing, marketing research, economic analysis or a phase of the production, promotion or distribution of agricultural products for the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours of graduate education from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in business and industry classification or business and industry specialty codes in the agricultural marketing field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience providing administrative support within a government agency.
- Experience providing technical assistance, training, and support to farmers, farmers market and agriculture events.
- Experience in developing partnerships with farmers, market managers, program participants, and partner organization.
- Experience in monitoring program budgets, data, creating reports for grants, funders, and stakeholders.
- Experience in coordinating the implementation of digital incentive projects, such as an app-based digital wallet for shoppers, and an app-based e-incentive processing system for market vendors.
- Experience distributing public-facing instructional materials and training videos.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suites.
LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION
This is a statewide recruitment open only to current Maryland State employees.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible(employment) list for at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.
Please report on all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable.
For education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at http://www.naces.org/members.html.
Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).
Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
BENEFITS
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office -Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exception. (Postmarks not accepted.)
Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.
If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application. If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-delivery or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Human Resources 410-841-5840 ormda.humanresources@maryland.gov indicate Recruitment #25-003154- on the subject line.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.
People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
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