Marketing Specialist for Peach, Watermelon, and Specialty Crops
Salary: $49,000.00 - $54,000.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 190953
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Division: External Affairs and Economic Development
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: LA60
Position Number:: 61151778
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Pay Grade: GEN07
Hiring Range - Min.: $49,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $54,000.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY 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, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Position requires flexibility for weekend and evening events.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
Do you have a passion for South Carolina Agriculture? Are you skilled in building relationships and have a desire to make a positive impact in the Agribusiness community? If these aspects sound appealing to you then this unique position may be just what you have been looking for! The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is seeking a Marketing Specialist to serve as representative for the SC Watermelon Industry by working with the SC Watermelon Board (SCWB) and the SC Watermelon Association (SCWA) and as the representative for the SC Peach industry via the SC Peach Council (SCPC), as well as the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association (SCSCGA).
Responsibilities for this Marketing Specialist will include:
BENEFITS:
Minimum and Additional Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Comments
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01
Which best describes your highest level of education?
02
Please describe your experience in marketing agricultural products. ** Do not cut and paste from other areas of your application or resume. **
03
Please describe any experience you may have with a Board of Directors. ** Do not cut and paste from other areas of your application or resume. **
04
Are you willing to accept a salary between $49,000 and $54,000? NOTE: The selected candidate must have one or more of the preferred qualifications to be eligible for the higher end of this range.
05
Do you possess a valid driver's license and are you able to operate motor vehicles?
06
Are you a state of South Carolina retiree?
07
How did you hear about this position?
Required Question
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 190953
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Division: External Affairs and Economic Development
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: LA60
Position Number:: 61151778
Normal Work Schedule:: Other
Pay Grade: GEN07
Hiring Range - Min.: $49,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $54,000.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY 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, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Position requires flexibility for weekend and evening events.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
Do you have a passion for South Carolina Agriculture? Are you skilled in building relationships and have a desire to make a positive impact in the Agribusiness community? If these aspects sound appealing to you then this unique position may be just what you have been looking for! The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is seeking a Marketing Specialist to serve as representative for the SC Watermelon Industry by working with the SC Watermelon Board (SCWB) and the SC Watermelon Association (SCWA) and as the representative for the SC Peach industry via the SC Peach Council (SCPC), as well as the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association (SCSCGA).
Responsibilities for this Marketing Specialist will include:
- Managing the daily activities of the SCWB, SCWA, SCPC, and SCSCGA to include financials, assessments, reports, and correspondence.
- Consistently communicating, building and maintaining relationships with board members, producers, and other industry partners, both at the state and national levels.
- Developing an in-state marketing plan to promote the expanded sales of South Carolina watermelons, peaches and specialty crops.
- Preparing exhibits for and attending industry meetings, field days, various tradeshows, and school / institution events to include in-state, out-of-state, and virtual.
- Serving in a project management role for watermelon and peach industry sanctioned research projects.
- Planning and conducting quarterly and annual meetings.
- Conducting membership activities to enrich and grow members.
- Developing and executing outreach activities.
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 six weeks paid parental leave
- Deferred Compensation Program.
- Access to fleet vehicle for required travel.
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free counseling sessions for employees and household members.
- Free Life Management Services. (legal, financial, and more)
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- Bachelor's degree and one year agricultural experience, including but not limited to farm hand or marketing agricultural products. Academic credits in agricultural courses may be substituted for required the experience.
- Valid Driver's License and the ability to drive a vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior board management experience.
- Familiarity/background in agriculture.
- Familiarity with checkoff organizations.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Two years' budget management experience.
- Ability to accurately process assessments and remit accordingly.
- Experience planning meetings to include Board meetings and Industry wide meetings of up to 400 people.
- Excellent public speaking/communication skills.
- Membership recruitment/retention for industry related Associations.
- Government relations experience, knowledge of legislative policy structure.
Additional Comments
- High degree of organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive oral and written reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively and cooperatively with various audiences.
- Ability to exercise judgment in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, be detail oriented, and highly organized.
- Must work effectively in a transparent, team-oriented environment.
- Significant travel in and out of state.
- High level of customer service to farmers/growers.
- Excellent public speaking/communication skills.
- This position is located in the Wade Hampton building on the Statehouse grounds and the selected candidate would be expected to report to the office daily when not traveling. The right candidate may be eligible to work remotely one day per week after one year of employment.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01
Which best describes your highest level of education?
- High School Diploma or G.E.D
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or Higher
02
Please describe your experience in marketing agricultural products. ** Do not cut and paste from other areas of your application or resume. **
03
Please describe any experience you may have with a Board of Directors. ** Do not cut and paste from other areas of your application or resume. **
04
Are you willing to accept a salary between $49,000 and $54,000? NOTE: The selected candidate must have one or more of the preferred qualifications to be eligible for the higher end of this range.
- Yes
- No
05
Do you possess a valid driver's license and are you able to operate motor vehicles?
- Yes
- No
06
Are you a state of South Carolina retiree?
- Yes
- No
07
How did you hear about this position?
- SC State Jobs Website - careers.sc.gov
- College Website
- Dice.com
- Indeed.com
- Ladders.com
- A current employee
- A former employee
- SC Works
- Radio Ad
- Other
Required Question