AGRICULTURAL MARKET NEWS ASSISTANT - MARKING NEWS (02)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

17d•$4,586 - $6,228•Onsite

About The Position

Established in the 1960’s in Springfield, the Market News office is looked upon by the Grain and Livestock Industry to establish fair and accurate prices. The Agricultural Market News Assistant is a professional role focused on gathering and reporting real-time data on livestock, grain, and specialty crops to ensure fair pricing. Positioned within the Bureau of Marketing, Promotion & Grants, this assistant supports the Market News Service by analyzing price trends. The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs. AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with coursework in agriculture, agricultural marketing, agricultural economics and/or general marketing.
Required to successfully pass a background check and self disclosure of criminal history.
Requires valid driver’s license
Requires ability to work overtime
Requires the ability to travel

Nice To Haves

Prefers elementary knowledge of the principles and practices involved in marketing Illinois Products.
Prefers elementary knowledge of computer operation, word processing and spreadsheet software packages.
Prefers elementary knowledge and understanding of grain and livestock terminology.
Prefers elementary knowledge of market reporting terminology of ag commodity production, marketing, price fluctuation and price advantages.
Prefers experience in collecting and communicating market news information.
Prefers experience in expressing market information clearly and concisely, in oral and written form.
Prefers experience in gaining and maintaining effective working relationships with ag businesses, groups, and individuals

Responsibilities

Works with a market reporter in analyzing market data (i.e. grain markets and livestock auctions).
Prepares weekly livestock statistical summaries utilizing USDA directives and official procedures and submits reports.
Works with marketing reporter in contacting grain dealers, processors, and brokers to collect grain data, price, movement, and volume of trade.
Works with a marketing reporter in releasing grain market information by radio broadcast, prepares weekly statistical report on grain, grain stock and feedstuffs.
Assists with the check-off programs enacted through legislation, during referendums, makes sure all eligible votes have ballots; tabulates voting results.
Works with marketing representatives to coordinate marketing programs.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within scope of the duties enumerated above.