Contact Manager

About the role

• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Develop and maintain relationships with farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses, and other stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns.
• Communication Facilitation: Serve as a central point of contact for stakeholders, providing information, resources, and assistance as needed. Respond promptly to inquiries and requests for support.
• Collaboration Coordination: Facilitate collaboration and partnerships between USDA programs, agencies, and external stakeholders to maximize impact and achieve common goals.
• Outreach and Engagement: Plan and coordinate outreach activities, workshops, and events to engage stakeholders and promote USDA programs and initiatives.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of stakeholder interactions, including contact information, communications, and feedback. Use contact management software or databases to organize and track data.
• Needs Assessment: Conduct needs assessments and surveys to gather feedback from stakeholders and identify areas for improvement or additional support.
• Policy and Program Support: Stay informed about USDA policies, programs, and regulations relevant to stakeholders. Provide guidance and assistance to stakeholders in navigating USDA programs and services.
• Training and Education: Develop and deliver training sessions, webinars, and educational materials to inform stakeholders about USDA programs, best practices, and resources.
• Reporting and Analysis: Prepare reports and analyses on stakeholder engagement activities, outcomes, and trends. Use data to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach efforts and inform decision-making.
• Collaborative Projects: Participate in cross-functional teams and collaborative projects within the USDA to support broader departmental objectives.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, business administration, communications, or a related field.
• Previous experience in stakeholder engagement, customer relations, or community outreach, preferably in the agricultural or government sector.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and contact management software.
• Knowledge of agricultural issues, policies, and programs is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to the USDA's mission and values, including promoting agricultural sustainability, food security, and rural prosperity.

Additional Information: CORE COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork - ability to foster teamwork collaboratively as a participant, and effectively as a team leader
• Leadership - ability to guide and lead colleagues on projects and initiatives
• Business Acumen - understanding and insight into how organizations perform, including business processes, data, systems, and people
• Communication - ability to effectively communicate to stakeholders of all levels orally and in writing
• Motivation - persistent in pursuit of quality and optimal client and company solutions
• Agility - ability to quickly understand and transition between different projects, concepts, initiatives, or work streams
• Judgment - exercises prudence and insight in decision-making process while mindful of other stakeholders and long-term ramifications
• Organization - ability to manage projects and activity, and prioritize tasks

Other Requirements

• Business Tools - understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office. The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.
• Commitment - to work with smart, interesting people with diverse backgrounds to solve the biggest challenges across private, public, and social sectors
• Curiosity - the ideal candidate exhibits an inquisitive nature and the ability to question the status quo among a community of people they enjoy and teams that work well together
• Humility - exhibits grace in success and failure while doing meaningful work where skills have an impact and make a difference
• Willingness - to constantly learn, share, and grow and to view the world as their classroom

Additional information

Risk Management | Compliance | Business Processes | IT Effectiveness | Engineering | Environmental | Sustainability | Human Capital