Charles County Government – Agriculture & Rural Development Manager

• Agriculture & Rural Development Manager
• Charles County Government
• Salary: $70,765.11 – $114,639.53 Annually; Pay Grade: 115
• Department: Economic Development
• Job Type: Full-time
• Job Number: 2025-00114
• Best Consideration Date: July 7
• Filing Deadline: Open until filled

Summary

The target hiring range is $70,765.11 – $92,702.42 annually commensurate with experience.

This posting is open until filled with a best consideration date of July 7, 2025.

Apply NOW – this recruitment may close without notice.

THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION: New hires are eligible to telework after six months of employment following a satisfactory performance appraisal and subject to department approval.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Agriculture & Rural Development Manager to serve as a project manager for developing, marketing, and implementing programs and initiatives for the full range of local agricultural and resource-based enterprises. In addition, the manager will also develop and expand partnerships with key agricultural stakeholders to support and expand agricultural activities and rural development in Charles County. The focus of the position will be on servicing the full range of needs of the agricultural and resource-based industries in Charles County with an emphasis on innovative programming and marketing to expand, diversify, and promote the agricultural sector. This position reports to the Chief of Commercial Development.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, promotes, and develops programs and initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and sustainability of agricultural and resource-based industries in Charles County.
• Serves as the department’s primary resource and lead for programs, resources, initiatives, and opportunities related to businesses that produce, process, or utilize agricultural products and resource-based industries including alternative energy and resiliency sectors
• Collaborates with agriculture industry leaders, stakeholders, and resource providers to preserve, promote, and advance the agriculture industry in Charles County.
• Recommends and oversees initiatives that support creation, retention, and growth of businesses at all levels of the local agricultural industry.
• Acquires and maintains familiarity with major employers, businesses, industry clusters, County assets, important initiatives, and other matters affecting business retention and expansion decisions and identifies opportunities to use these assets to expand the local agricultural economy and resource-based industries.
• Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with other agricultural marketing specialists and managers within Maryland.
  Serves as a primary contact for promoting all aspects of the County’s agricultural and rural industries including farming, forestry, seafood, aquaculture, agritourism, value added processing, marketing, and sales.
• Serves as an advocate for existing businesses with County and state regulatory agencies, as needed.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of technical and financial assistance programs available to businesses, particularly those focused on agriculture. Facilitates assistance to individual businesses.
• Creates outreach and public relations initiatives to promote and market local agricultural products and opportunities for the public to experience direct farm marketing.
• Participates in development of agricultural marketing publications and social media and other digital outreach efforts as well as preparing timely, relevant updates of the CCEDD web site and other collateral.
• Identifies, recommends, and prioritizes economic, workforce, and statistical data needs to support agricultural business development efforts.
• Works collaboratively with, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Department of Planning and Growth Management to create and support opportunities for the local agricultural industry.
• Prepares, analyzes, and/or reviews fiscal and economic impact analyses commissioned by or requested by CCEDD to justify incentives, other forms of assistance, or new program initiatives to ensure long-term return on investment (ROI) to the County.
• Researches, develops partnerships, and writes grants for special, state, and federal funding opportunities to advance the local agricultural economy and manages the awarded grants to ensure successful completion of grant projects, programs, and required reporting. Performs grant compliance activities as required.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to businesses, elected officials, boards, and committees, agricultural stakeholders, and the community as needed.
• Participates as a departmental representative on applicable task forces, boards, commissions, and committees as needed.
• Remains conversant on local issues that affect development, with a focus on agriculture, natural resources, rural land use, and infrastructure.
• Assists with department general development activities and projects as needed.
• Represents Department and Charles County agriculture at regional meetings and events.
• Identifies and accesses business resources and programs to benefit local farms and agricultural businesses.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Business Administration, Marketing, Economic Development, or related field. Three (3) years of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications: Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Qualifications: Employee is subject to work beyond normal scheduled work hours. Travel may be required on an infrequent basis for training and economic development events.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of agriculture/farming, marketing, communications, and public relations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of grant administration, negotiation, community organization, fiscal and organizational management.
• Knowledge federal, state, and local regulations governing Maryland agriculture and principles associated with business openings and operations, including land use and development principles associated with the agricultural industry.
• Knowledge of conventional business practices and cultures within agricultural and resource-based industries.
• Ability to plan, manage and coordinate activities and work with local agricultural producers, stakeholders, government agencies to promote and advance the County’s agricultural economy.
• Ability to represent the County effectively to agricultural partners, business owners, site location professionals, partner agencies, elected officials, and liaison with other officials at various levels of government.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with and earn the confidence of business groups, agricultural stakeholders, and resource partners.
• Ability to resolve problems and develop solutions in a business setting.
• Ability to provide leadership and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to prepare, analyze and comprehend budgets and financial analyses.
• Ability to demonstrate reason analytically and work with people possessing different levels of technical knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain information confidentiality.
• Ability to earn the confidence and respect of stakeholders in the agricultural community and collaborative resource partners.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is primarily conducted in office surroundings, with frequent periods of interruption with the need to move to other work sites. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for longer periods, lift, and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports to: Chief of Commercial Development

Supervises: None