Chief - agricultural

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

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Job Requisition ID: 50626

Closing Date: 10/29/2025

Agency: Department of Agriculture

Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070

Skill Option: Agriculture/Conservation

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: $8825 - $10,824 anticipated starting salary monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

County: Sangamon

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None

Merit Comp Code: Term Appointment/ Agency

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Bureau Chief of Agricultural Products Inspection performing highly responsible
  managerial functions in determining policy for the bureau.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Directs and controls all phases of the duties and responsibilities mandated by the Illinois
  Fertilizer Act.
• Directs and controls all phases of the duties and responsibilities mandated by the Illinois
  Commercial Feed Act.
• Directs and controls all phases of the duties and responsibilities mandated by the Illinois Seed
  Law and the Seed Arbitration Act.
• Directs and controls all phases of the duties and responsibilities mandated by the Illinois Soil
  Amendment Act.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonable within the scope of the duties above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with courses in business, public administration, agriculture, or crop and soil management.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization with duties including management of a program or operations support function.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three years of experience in principles, techniques, and practices of public administration, including the application and enforcement of regulatory laws and requirements.
• Prefers three years of experience supervising staff which includes assigning and reviewing work, establishing annual goals and objectives, preparing and issuing performance evaluations, providing guidance and training, and determining staffing needs.
• Prefers three years of experience working with laws, rules, regulations relative to fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, soil amendments, feed or seed.
• Prefers three years of experience establishing and implementing policies.
• Prefers three years of experience in the management and implementation of a program budget.
• Prefers three years of experience serving as a negotiating representative to promote or support the interests of an organization.
• Prefers at least one year of experience resulting in intermediate proficiency working with Microsoft Office products.
• Prefers one year of experience presenting to large or small audiences.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license. Overnight travel may be required.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work
  overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• This position is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday

Work Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702

Agency Contact: Bureau of Human Resources

Email: [email protected]

Phone #: 217-785-5099

Posting Group: Leadership & Management

The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs.

AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

AGR offers a robust benefit package including;

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules in many program areas
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
• Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
• Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually

If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Nearest Major Market: Springfield