COTTON RESEARCH AND PROTECTION COUNCIL

Address:  3721 E WIER AVENUE
                          PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85040

Salary: $80,000 - $120,000 

Grade: 07

Closing Date: 05/03/2024

The Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council (ACRPC) invites applicants to apply for the Executive Director position. The Director is responsible for administering the activities of the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council. Establishing and conducting all program activities and Council operations as authorized by the Council (ACRPC). Develop new programs for recommendation to the Council that fit industry needs when circumstances require. Under Council direction, plan, organize, and coordinate ACRPC statutorily authorized quarterly public meetings, or as needed. Develop and direct, with Council approval, the establishment and implementation of cooperative agreements, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal mechanisms for cooperative contracting programs of benefitting Arizona Cotton Growers and associated parties.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Oversee the preparation and implementation of financially sound budgets to most effectively fund programs and other activities authorized by the Council.
• Coordinate the collection of bale assessment fees to fund ACRPC activities.
• In accordance with statutory authority, with staff and scientific support, develop, direct, and coordinate the implementation of a program for the production and marketing of aflatoxin mitigating products to a variety of grower cooperators and distributors.
• Through a well-defined organizational structure, implements and directs the activities of the Council’s field staff including, but not limited to pest control, eradication and monitoring programs, plow down field inspection, cotton seed breeding, and other program activities related to cotton or aflatoxin.
• Oversee, with staff assistance, operations related to legal or statutory requirements pertaining to the Council as a state agency including but not limited to audits, rule review, sunset review, grower referenda, procurement and employment statutory requirements, lien collections, etc.
• Oversee Council funds in a fiscally responsible way to ensure adequate cost support for authorized program activities including adequate positive carryover balance from one fiscal year to the next.
• Direct the agency’s disbursement of research and grant funding in a scientifically and fiscally sound manner, in accordance with the Council’s stated purposes.
• Ensures through staff that all procurement rules and guidelines are adequately addressed, including procurement, repair, and maintenance of Council fleet, and surplus disposition of vehicles.
• Direct the agency’s cooperative activities with the Arizona Department of Agriculture relating to cotton plow down rules and regulations.
• Prepare and deliver educational and informational presentations to private, state, and federal cooperators in a variety of program settings. Such presentations shall be made available to the Council prior to dissemination.

• Knowledgeable or able to obtain the Knowledge of basic principles of cotton crop production, entomology, agronomy, weed science, plant pathology, and pest control as these disciplines relate to cotton and related crop systems.
• Knowledge of Arizona statutes, rules, and regulations as they pertain to the Council and related activities.
• Knowledge of basic budgetary and accounting principles.
• Knowledge of basic operational and personnel management principles.
• Skill in dealing with personnel on a level that builds trust, confidence, and teamwork.
• Skill in multitasking and correspondingly establishing clearly defined priorities.
• Skill in communicating clearly and concisely, including writing reports, documents, and other correspondence in a clear and concise manner.
• Skill in negotiation.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and to produce well-defined solutions or courses of action.
• Ability to build consensus and teamwork ethic.
• Ability to prioritize daily workload.
• Ability to see the big picture and avoid externalities that will distract from or minimize the main objectives at hand.
• Ability to build subordinates' confidence by guiding them to develop skills and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to plan ahead despite dealing with an ever-changing set of contingencies.
• Ability to react to changing fiscal parameters to maintain positive budgetary outcomes.

• Agricultural experience of 5 years
• Minimum of 3 years as a manager or supervisor managing subordinates.
• Any combination of training and experience that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) may be substituted.

• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), applicable to all newly hired State employees.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• State travel is required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-I0-207.12.) AND having an acceptable driving record for the last 39 months is required including no DUI, suspensions, or revocations and less than 8 points on your license. A copy of your MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) is required at the time of your interview if an Out of State Driver's License was held within the last 39 months.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council offer a comprehensive benefits package to include:

-Affordable Health, Dental, Vision, and Life and Disability Insurance
-10 holidays per year
-Paid Vacation and Sick time off - start earning it on your 1st day
-Eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
-Contribute to, and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System
-Ride Share and Public Transit Subsidy
-Career Advancement Opportunities

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State-sponsored retirement contribution plan, and the Long-term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS-defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments

For questions about this career opportunity, please call Bernetta Johnson at 602-438-0059 ext 3 or email
bjohnson@azcotton.org
.
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-438-0059 ext. 3. Request should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation