State of Maryland

An Agricultural Marketing Specialist III is the advanced level of work in the field of agricultural marketing services. Employees in this class are expected to play an influential role with leading individuals of Maryland’s agricultural industry by providing product promotion services, market analysis and market development coordination designed to maintain, improve, or expand agricultural marketing.  The work at this classification normally involves great latitude for individual creativity, requiring an employee to establish and evaluate performance goals and set priorities within broad program objectives and parameters.  The scope of individual projects may include initiating technical feasibility studies and analyses, developing special merchandising programs, coordinating market development programs, or other assignments depending upon the specific needs of the individual market segments.  Implementation of most projects generally requires employees to exercise innovativeness, technical competence and a knowledge of the personal aspects of industry thinking and attitudes.  Employees in this classification may lead lower-level Agricultural Marketing Specialists.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Chief of Marketing Services or from a higher-level administrator.  Effectiveness of program activities is reflected by the incumbent’s ability to coordinate and encourage program support among various individuals, groups and organizations.  Work performance is evaluated through review of reports, assessments of the effectiveness and validity of recommendations, the success of new trial projects and direct response by individuals, groups and associations.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The Agricultural Marketing Specialist III is differentiated from the Agricultural Marketing Specialist II in that the Agricultural Marketing Specialist III performs advanced level agricultural marketing services work while the Agricultural Marketing Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  

Plans, develops, and implements specific marketing projects designed to promote, encourage and support the production, distribution and consumption of Maryland agricultural products;

Meets with various producer associations or marketing organizations to provide advice and consultation regarding the planning, organization, development and implementation of promotional campaigns, exhibitions, shows or sales, or new merchandising ideas;

Identifies and develops new marketing opportunities for Maryland products;

Reviews existing market structure and marketing practices for commodity groups, recommends possible measures for improvement and coordinates appropriate groups to encourage their adoption;

Maintains contact with producers, buyers and distributors to expedite handling of immediate marketing needs for specific commodities;

Prepares promotional literature, programs and statistical literature or presentations to support market development projects;

Prepares and presents speeches, reports, demonstrations or programs to marketing organizations or other groups;

Assists with administration, supervision and evaluation of projects and programs;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles of marketing to include market research techniques and procedures;

Knowledge of the practices and procedures of business administration;

Knowledge of physical distribution systems;

Knowledge of basic methods and techniques of domestic and international agricultural trade and product merchandising;

Knowledge of the basic methods of statistics of survey design;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of product promotion;

Knowledge of the principles of economics and marketing in planning and executing market surveys, market analysis, promotional campaigns or product development;

Ability to present information in a creative, tasteful and effective manner;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with others;

Ability to organize, motivate and coordinate group action efficiently and effectively;

Ability to employ creativity and imagination in recommending marketing alternatives and in resolving problem assignments.

Experience: Seven years of experience, three 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 three 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. 

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.