Agriculture and Foreign Labor Specialist

The position deliver employment services to the public, with special emphasis on Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW) and agricultural employers. Conducts outreach and promotes workforce services available at Virginia Career Works locations. Processes job orders; assists with registration and referrals for employment services and opportunities; advises on employment related laws and the employment service complaint system; and facilitates complaint resolution. Markets workforce services, the labor exchange system, and the Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) program to agricultural employers. Reviews agricultural clearance orders; conducts pre-occupancy housing inspections; and conducts field checks. Attends meetings of agricultural employers and advocacy groups. Assists local office staff and provides Spanish translation assistance as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of MSFW and agricultural employment issues; agricultural trends and business practices; employment laws and regulations (e.g., MSPA, FLSA, OSHA, ETA, child and farm labor, field sanitation, and housing).

Strong oral and written communication, customer service and computer (e.g., MS Office or related software) skills.

Ability to mediate and resolve complaints; interpret and apply policies and procedures, laws, and regulations, conduct interviews, surveys and housing inspections, make presentations; collect and analyze data, prepare reports, provide technical assistance and respond to employment related inquiries

Additional Considerations

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in Spanish.  Experience working with agricultural and/or farmworkers assistance programs and/or conducting housing inspections.