Executive Director Position Description

The Oregon Seed Council is seeking applications for an Executive Director. The position is expected to be filled by May 1 or negotiable. Applicants will be kept confidential without applicants’ approval until final interview.

The Oregon Seed Council is the umbrella organization representing the seed industry interests in the State of Oregon. Membership in the Council includes the three grass seed commodity commissions (Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue), the Oregon Seed Association, Oregon Seed Growers League, Oregon Clover Commission, Meadowfoam Growers Cooperative, Oregon Straw Export Association, Tee-2-Green Corporation, Willamette Valley Specialty Seed Association, Oregon Grass Seed Bargaining Association, and the Willamette Valley Oil Seed Producers Association. The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences and Oregon Women for Agriculture are ex-officio members. In total these groups represent approximately 1,300 grass, legume, specialty and oil seed growers and the associated industries which support them across Oregon.

Seed production in Oregon has consistently ranked in the top five in production of Oregon agricultural commodities. Grass seed production in Oregon is centered in the Willamette Valley, with addition production in Jefferson, Umatilla, Morrow, and Union counties.

The position of Executive Director will be filled with an individual or business as an independent contractor.

The Executive Director shall, at a minimum, have a Bachelor of Science degree. The preferred disciplines are in Agriculture, Natural Resources or Business. Equivalent experience will be considered.

Knowledge of Oregon agriculture and an understanding of grass seed production and marketing is required.
Preference will also be given to individuals who have experience with and knowledge of working with Oregon state government, including executive and legislative branches as well as Oregon State University.

Leadership, teamwork, and the ability to work with other groups are high priorities for the Executive Director.

The Executive Director will report directly to the Executive Committee of the Oregon Seed Council.

The Oregon Seed Council currently meets ten times per year with numerous standing committee meetings throughout the year.

The Executive Director will work closely with staff from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Grass Seed Commissions and Oregon State University on issues that first have an impact on seed production and secondly, other Oregon agriculture.

The Executive Director will be the Lobbyist for the Council. They will develop plans for legislation that enhances Oregon seed production, or stop legislation that is harmful to seed industry, as directed by the Council. They will also work with other Oregon natural resource industries in legislative work to promote or oppose legislation. Limited work on the federal level may also be required, as directed by the Council.

Compensation for the Executive Director will be determined by the job history and level of experience of the applicant.

A letter stating interest in the position and understanding of Oregon seed production and resume including education background will be required.

Remit information via mail or email to:

Oregon Seed Council
Executive Director Search
494 State St., Suite 220
Salem, Oregon 97301
roger@rwbeyer.com

Overview

The contractor will perform administrative services for the support of the Council as follows:

1. Maintain the Council’s office, which includes providing office space, equipment and office supplies necessary for the job.
2. Coordinate and attend Council meetings. The Contractor shall act as recording secretary for the Council meetings.
3. As directed by the Council:
   1. Provide requested, pertinent information to growers, brokers, buyers, agencies, industries, news media and others.
   2. Maintain accurate financial records, prepare monthly income and expenditure statements, collect and deposit assessments, and disburse funds.
   3. Maintain necessary databases including grower mailing lists, meeting mailing lists, handler lists and newsletter lists.
   4. Distribute council meeting minutes, agendas, financial and budget reports.
   5. Represent the council at hearings or meetings on proposed legislation, rules or issues affecting the industry. Council must approve all positions taken on its behalf.
   6. Act as liaison between the council and research organizations. Collect and disseminate grant applications for Council review and approval.
   7. Travel for legislative, regulatory, promotional, educational or research purposes.
4. Provide administrative support for any committees which have been authorized by the Council. Administrative support under this subsection includes items outlined in subsection (b) of this section.
5. Assist the Council in preparing its budget.
6. The Executive Director will be the Lobbyist for the Council. They will support plans for legislation that enhances Oregon seed production, or fight legislation that is harmful to Council interests, as directed by the Council.
7. Update the Council on proposed legislation, rules and current issues affecting the Council and its growers.
8. Periodically attend commission meetings of the individual related commissions and attend their meetings, if requested.
9. Prepare and distribute newsletters that include information the Council considers pertinent.
10. The Contractor may be asked to coordinate any funding proposals submitted to the Council, gather information about additional funding sources for research and promotion.
11. Coordinate and monitor the Council’s contracts. The Council must approve the terms of all contracts but may delegate to the Contractor authority to sign contracts on behalf of the Council following the Council’s approval.
12. The Executive Director will generate bi-monthly reports to be given to the executive board highlighting your related activities for that period. The executive board may terminate this reporting or reinstate this reporting, by written request.
13. Work closely with staff from the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University on issues that first have an impact on seed production and secondly, other Oregon agriculture.
14. Provide the personnel needed to perform the services required under this contract. The Contractor may, with the Council’s prior approval, subcontract for the necessary personnel.
15. Pay and hold the Council harmless from all of the Contractor’s normal operational expenses, including salaries, rents, utilities, taxes and fees (income, employment, license or others), and other similar expenses.
16. Comply with all governmental (local, state or federal) laws and rules applicable to the operation of Contractor’s business.

Detailed Statement of Work

Contractor shall implement programs described below to represent and advance the interests of seed growers in Oregon, as directed by the council.

1. Legislation, Agency Rules and Court Proceedings
   Contractor shall perform the following work:
   Analyze legislation or proposed legislation, proposed administrative rules and litigation affecting seed production. (However, this contract does not authorize the Contractor to provide legal services to the Council.)Provide information and recommendations to the Council on the effect of such proposed legislation, administrative rules and information regarding litigation on production of seed.
   Provide advice to the Council regarding the position of the other members of the Seed Council regarding proposed legislation or administrative rules.Represent the Council, as a segment of the total seed industry, before the legislature or to administrative agencies on issues of general interest to the seed industry as a whole. The contractor shall obtain prior approval from the Council regarding the particular matters in which Contractor is authorized to represent the Council.The Contractor shall perform such work and shall report regularly to the Council the nature, status or disposition of legislation, administrative rules and court proceedings effecting production of seed.
2. Pesticide Efficacy, Registration Support and other Research
   a. Contractor shall supervise Council subcontractors by:
   1. Monitoring registration status of pesticides approved for use by Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon Department of Agriculture and Manufacturers to maintain all registrations possible,
   2. Monitoring registration and tolerance requirements for use and feeding/grazing restrictions in seed production fields,
   3. Supervising subcontractors contact with manufacturers of pesticides and the IR-4 process to assist with maintaining current registrations and securing new registrations,
   4. Being made aware by subcontractor which pesticides are most likely to be approved by EPA under current policy and which pesticides may be lost in the future,
   5. Supporting availability of pesticides through Section 3, 18 and 24c registrations, when possible,
   6. Monitoring research being conducted by OSU and USDA to advise seed growers and the Commission of the most recent developments regarding pest control, and
   7. Monitoring commercial seed production for changes in pest problems
3. Public Relations
   Contractor shall either directly or by supervision of Council subcontractors: Prepare a program of public relations designed to promote the interests of the seed industry in the state of Oregon which may include media advertising, industry support and public relations.
   Industry Support may include, but not be limited to:  Ag in the Classroom, an educational materials program for teachers and students; The Summer Ag Institute, an educational program for teachers; Adopt a farmer program, a program to help connect farmers with students for educational purposes; Representation of the seed Industry on the Board of Oregonians for Food and Shelter, an organization that assists in maintaining the availability of and proper use of pesticides.
   Public Relations may include, but not be limited to: Support for Ag-Fest, an educational program for students; publishing an industry sponsored magazine to inform seed producers and dealers of the happenings in the seed industry; dissemination of pertinent information about the industry via modern electronic methods and administering a college scholarship granted by the industry. Supporting REAL Oregon and facilitating Tractor Safety classes. The Executive Director will also be responsible for monitoring and updating the OSC website through the designated provider. It is important that the website be current and have the correct information.

Grower Information
Contractor shall prepare and present to the Council for its approval, information to seed growers in Oregon about items 1 and 2 of this exhibit through reports to the Council, presentations at meetings including the annual meeting of the Oregon Seed Growers League, Internet postings, and mailings to grass seed growers.