Manager of Agricultural Services

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, directs and coordinates the day-to-day operation of the agriculture department to achieve the department mission and goals.
• Administers applicable legislation, including the Weed Control Act, Agricultural Pests Act, and the Soil Conservation Act in a fair and equitable manner. Assists the Provincial Veterinarian, when called upon, to carry out duties under the Animal Health Act.
• Ensures all provincial ASB grant requirements are met, including all grant reporting requirements within specified deadlines.
• Manages the roadside vegetation control program, weed inspection program, pest inspection program, Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program, and extension activities of the department.
• Develops contracts and works with contractor to complete projects as required, ensuring adherence to all applicable legislation and County policies.
• Ensures regulatory requirements are met for the Brazeau County’s pesticide application program.
• Maintains necessary licenses, registrations, and reporting for Brazeau County’s pesticide application activities.
• Manages departmental procurement activities, including contract tenders/requisition.
• Administers the Form 8 program, including all licensing and reporting requirements.
• Develops and implements a process for preparation of annual capital and operating budgets. Monitors, controls and authorizes spending within the limits of the approved budget.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of the department’s programming, services, policies, and procedures, under the direction of the Agricultural Service Board (ASB) and County Council.
• Attends all ASB meetings and Council meetings as required. Acts in an advisory capacity to the ASB and Council.
• Provides information, advice, and administrative support on agricultural matters to the ASB, Council, and other committees and groups as required.
• Establishes and maintains a system and procedures to ensure agriculture programs and related equipment and programs may be accessed and used by the public with optimum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Oversees the development of the monthly ASB agenda package, ensuring timely and relevant information is provided to the board.
• Ensures department service levels are met or exceeded.
• Supervises, develops and evaluates all department staff. Conducts regularly scheduled meetings with all department staff to review operations; communicate expectations; advise on policy or procedure changes; and to share information of general interest to the team.
• Responds to public enquiries, media requests for information or complaints with regard to department activities, following approved policy and procedure.
• Promotes agricultural best practices and keeps apprised with agricultural innovation in order to provide accurate and up to date information to stakeholders.
• Performs field visits to complete departmental tasks, including investigating complaints, assisting other department staff when needed, and facilitating meaningful interactions with area producers.
• Maintains membership, in good standing, with the Association of Agricultural Fieldman.
• At the discretion of the Chief Administrative Officer, carry out other duties as assigned.
• To undertake any other reasonable duty, commensurate with the classification and responsibility of the position, across the department in order to meet service priorities and business continuity requirements.
• May be required in the event of a municipal emergency to support the emergency operations centre and incident action/recovery plan.