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Agriculture Division Director
The Agriculture Division Director is a senior executive position responsible for department-wide leadership, coordination, and oversight of a division within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The position supports the Secretary by ensuring consistent policy implementation, regulatory compliance, fiscal management, and personnel practices across operations. This role provides strategic guidance to division leadership, supports legislative and executive initiatives, and helps coordinate responses to high-impact issues affecting agriculture statewide.
Class Code:
EEX02A
Job Grade:
EXE01
Special Job Requirements:
Typical Functions:
Serves as a senior leader within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, providing strategic oversight, policy direction, and operational leadership across the Department’s divisions including Food and Nutrition Services, Animal Health, Forestry, Natural Resources, Plant Industries, and Shared Services. Works closely with the Secretary and Chief of Staff to fulfill the Department’s mission, statutory responsibilities, and the Governor’s priorities with coordinated programs, policies, and initiatives. Ensures alignment across regulatory, operational, and service-delivery functions while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws, fiscal controls, and personnel policies. Provides executive oversight to Division Managers, offering guidance on program planning, staffing, performance management, and inter-division coordination. Coordinates legislative initiatives, including developing agency priorities, preparing briefing materials, and engaging with legislative committees and stakeholders. Represents the Department with state and federal agencies, industry and commodity organizations, local governments, and the public. Supports coordinated response efforts and continuity of operations during emergencies or high-impact events, including animal disease response, wildfire incidents, natural disasters, or food system disruptions. Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:
Comprehensive knowledge of public administration principles, including executive leadership, organizational management, budgeting, and personnel administration. Strong understanding of agricultural policy, natural resource management, regulatory enforcement, food systems, and the role of agriculture in economic development. Ability to lead multi-division organizations and manage competing priorities in a politically and operationally sensitive environment. Ability to analyze legislation, regulations, and policy proposals and assess impacts across multiple program areas. Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to brief executive leadership, legislators, and external stakeholders clearly and effectively. Demonstrated skill in strategic planning, problem-solving, negotiation, and consensus-building across diverse internal and external partners.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, public administration, business administration, natural resources, political science, or a related field. A minimum of five years of experience in executive leadership, senior management, or public administration, with demonstrated experience overseeing complex programs, regulatory functions, or large organizations. Experience working with legislative entities, executive leadership, or governmental oversight entities is required.
Required Certificates:
N/A Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Exempt:
E