Dairy Economic Development Consultant

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, high quality, dedicated staff we employ.

DATCP currently has an opening for a Dairy Economic Development Consultant position within the Division of Agricultural Development, Bureau of Export and Business Development.

This position is located at the Prairie Oaks State Office Building situated on Madison’s southeast side and a beautifully wooded and scenic hilltop venue. Our employees enjoy low-cost parking at the facility and are only minutes away from the Beltline Highway, Interstate 90 and Highway 51 for quick access to local restaurants, retail and service locations.

Remote Work Option: This position may have the ability to work remotely up to 6 days per 2-week pay period! An approved remote work agreement is required before an employee may work remotely. Approval of the employee’s remote work agreement and work schedule will vary based on the operational needs of the Division. All DATCP employees who work remotely are required to live in Wisconsin.

Employee Benefits: This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes 19.5 days of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan! To help you understand what your benefit package would be worth, please check the Total Rewards Calculator here.

By working for Wisconsin State Government, you may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Please click the link for details.

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This posting may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

This position will provide services to assist Wisconsin dairy food and agricultural businesses to foster new investment in production, processing and the development of technologies that add value to the dairy industry. The position works to build Wisconsin's agriculture economy by providing industry representatives with business development assistance, research, technical seminars, one-on-one business development consultation, and other methods. This position will review business plans, monitor market trends, help businesses understand regulations, connect businesses to resources that can answer technical questions, and more.

This position maintains numerous contacts with state agencies and government officials, dairy industry representatives, agribusiness, associations, processors, farmers, and service providers. Specific responsibilities include the coordination and implementation of programs, funding, and communications related to the dairy sector, and for the identification of gaps and opportunities in economic development programs and services to help Wisconsin become more competitive domestically and internationally. This position also provides consulting services to Wisconsin dairy processors, farmers and marketers to expand both domestic and international business opportunities for Wisconsin products such as: branded products, ethnic foods, organic, and artisanal products. This position requires an understanding of the value chain from producer to consumer, value-added products, and marketing strategies for business-to-business and direct to consumer companies.

The position works to engage and inform state, national and international networks, representing DATCP to the various U.S. Federal and Wisconsin state agencies involved in the development and regulation of the dairy sector. The position will contribute to the development of short and long-term goals for assigned program areas. This position is responsible for direct measurement of impact and data collection for services provided for the purpose of reporting accomplishments and evaluating program and service delivery. The position prepares written monthly, quarterly, and annual reports identifying the status and results of marketing efforts for assigned areas as well as provides support to other division program staff as needed. This position will serve as the principle program lead for the Wisconsin Dairy Processing Grant.

For more information, please review the full position description.

The classification of this position is Economic Development Consultant, which is in schedule-range 81-03 with a starting pay between $36.00 - $42.00 per hour (salary between $74,880 - $87,360 annually) based on qualifications.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. A 12-month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan at the time of hire.

Conditions of Employment:

DATCP does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the selected applicant being able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.

A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.

Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to provide one’s own transportation for work purposes, is required.

Travel is required primary within Wisconsin for approximately 50% of this position’s duties and may require overnight stay.

Ability to obtain a Passport and other required documents for minimal international travel.

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

Minimally qualified candidates will have each of the following:

• Experience as a dairy producer or processor, or providing consultation/other services to dairy producers and processors.
• Experience managing or evaluating business plans, business financials or strategic development plans.
• Experience developing or presenting training on dairy-related technical topics to dairy related businesses or leadership (ability to translate complex/technical information to less informed populations).
• Education or training on food safety requirements for dairy production and processing.

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, highly qualified candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Experience with grant programs (request for proposal, applications completion, application review, development of grant projects, performance measures and reporting).
• Experience with economic development at the municipal, county, regional or state level.
• Experience interpreting and applying dairy export requirements (foreign/domestic investments, assessing target markets, understanding regulatory requirements, and/or export development resources).
• Experience with dairy policy analysis at the state or federal level (understanding of legislation impacting producers/processors, ability to explain legislation impacts to the industry/stakeholders).
• Education and/or work experience that is equivalent to a Master’s degree (agriculture related field of study/work).

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 20622 to complete your application for this posting.

DATCP is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Submitted application materials will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, starting with those candidates who are deemed most qualified.

For general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance, please check the Frequently Asked Questions. Please address questions regarding the application process to Varinderjit Kaur at varinderjit.kaur1@wisconsin.gov.

The deadline to apply for this position is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026.