Market News Reporter – Fruit and Vegetable Position Available In Lexington, South Carolina

Market News Reporter

• Fruit and Vegetable
  
  Salary
  $32,000.00
• $40,000.00 Annually
  Location Lexington County, SC
  Job Type
  FTE
• Full-Time
  Job Number
  175766
  Agency
  Department of Agriculture
  Division
  Consumer Protection
  Opening Date
  04/25/2025
  Closing Date
  5/11/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
  Residency Requirement
  No

Class Code:

LA50

Position Number:

6000000

Normal Work Schedule:

Other
Pay Band
Band 3
Hiring Range

• Min.
  $32,000.00
  Hiring Range
• Max.

$40,000.00
Opening Date
06/02/2025
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

ALL APPLICANTS MUST ONLINE

at www.careers.sc.gov. The State application should include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will NOT be accepted nor reviewed in lieu of a completed State application to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application and must be completed.

VETERAN APPLICANTS

Per SC §1-1-550

Veterans Preference:

To claim Veteran’s Preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty at time of interview.
Normal Work Schedule (Other):
Generally, Monday

• Friday 7:30
• 4:00/8:30am to 5:00pm.

Position requires flexibility for additional hours when covering the Phillips Market Center venue or agency events.
Veteran Preference Statement
South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

DESCRIPTION

BENEFITS
QUESTIONS
Job Responsibilities
Do you enjoy talking to producers, shippers, wholesalers, brokers, market vendors, farmers, and ranchers? Do you have a knack for attention to detail? If so, then the SC Department of Agriculture has the perfect job for you! As a Market News Reporter, you will be responsible for:
Compiling accurate and unbiased livestock, fruit and vegetable, and grain market information in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) guidelines.
Collecting information demonstrating knowledge of all factors affecting the livestock, fruit, vegetable, grain, hay, honey, and organic markets successfully and accurately.
Reporting factual data on supply, demand, trade activity, price trends, volume, and quotations by class, grade, and/or weigh on a statewide level.
Participating as a back-up reporter in the grading of livestock into a set pattern of size, weight, and quality. Disseminating all Market News reports to users such as producers, trade members and mass media and users of the internet.
Responding to request for information after completing research and interpreting relevant data.
Assembling and proof-reading data.
Making daily recordings of livestock, fruits, vegetables and grain prices and futures data for general public. Attending relevant conferences on occasion.
Assisting with planning and presenting outreach events.
Assembling a weekly newsletter and seasonal peach newsletter. Assist with SCDA’s venue, the Phillips Market Center, events to include set up, take down, and serving as point of contact during assigned events, including occasional night and weekend events.

BENEFITS

Generous State benefits to include retirement, health, vision, dental and life insurance.
Premium for BCBS State Standard Plan for employee only coverage is less than $100/month! Premium for BCBS State Standard Plan for full family coverage is only $307/month!
13 paid holidays; generous annual and sick leave accruals. Up to 6 weeks paid parental leave.
Deferred Compensation Program.
Employee Assistance Program Free counseling sessions for employees and household members Free Life Management Services (legal, financial, and more)
Minimum and Additional Requirements
A high school diploma and experience with agricultural products. A bachelor’s degree in agricultural studies may be substituted for the required work experience.
Valid State driver’s license and ability to operate a motorized vehicle.
Additional Comments
Must obtain USDA Market Reporter Certification within 12 months of hire and any other requirements required by USDA. Must be able to perform required duties in extreme heat/cold and endure long periods of standing/sitting. General knowledge of the principals of agricultural economics in the marketing of agricultural products. Must possess good communication and math skills and be able to use good judgment in framing price quotations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with producers and processors of agricultural products including Livestock, Grain, and Fruit and Vegetable.
Must possess writing, keyboarding, and language skills for composition of reports, broadcasts and summarizing statistical data are needed. This position is classified as essential. An essential worker may be required on holidays and on declared emergency days, including hazardous weather days. Minimum of 24-hour advance notice is required if employee is unable to attend shift. Reporting to the main office on the campus of the State Farmers Market in West Columbia is required when not on assignment in the field

• this is not a remote position.

Employer
State of South Carolina
Agency
Department of Agriculture
Address
1200 Senate Street, Suite 527
Columbia, South Carolina, 29201
Phone
803-734-2199
THE

LANGUAGE USED IN THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE AND THE AGENCY. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CREATE ANY CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OR ENTITLEMENTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NO PROMISES OR ASSURANCES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PARAGRAPH CREATE ANY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.

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