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Salary : $120,000.00 - $139,320.00 AnnuallyLocation : Broomfield County, COJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: BAA-00402-08232024Department: Department of AgricultureDivision: Conservation Services DivisionOpening Date: 08/27/2024Closing Date: 9/30/2024 11:59 PM MountainFLSA: Determined by PositionType of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.Primary Physical Work Address: 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield CO 80021FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.Department Contact Information: Mary Hunt - mary.hunt@state.co.us or 303-869-9006How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.Department InformationWho we are:Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animalyour life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.Mission:The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment. Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect CDA Wildly Important Goals:To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four "wildly important goals:" Goal 1: Advancing National and International Market Access Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan Goal 4: Non-lethal Predator Conflict Reduction Program Awareness We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.What you get from us: In addition to a great work location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans (www.copera.org).Benefits: See "Benefits" tab in the job announcement for the variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accrualsBenefitHub state employee discount programEmployee Wellness program MotivateMeExcellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensationEquity, Diversity, and InclusionThe State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: . Description of Job Work Unit:The Conservation Services Division provides leadership, management and coordination of the department's efforts to foster responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources. It includes both regulatory and incentive-based programs, administrative and budget oversight, employee management, and a team of office staff, year-round remote staff and seasonal field staff. This work unit oversees the department's work in climate change mitigation and resilience; soil health; water; renewable energy and energy efficiency; federal lands and wildlife policy; biocontrol, including oversight of CDA's Palisade Insectary; chemigation; groundwater quality; noxious weeds; and weed-free forage.Position:This position is a member of CDA's Senior Management team. The Conservation Services Division Director ("Division Director") represents the Colorado Department of Agriculture and its mission to advance Colorado agriculture, protect consumers and a safe food supply, and foster responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources. It is also important that the person in this position embody CDA's core values of respect, service, professionalism, partnership, and proactivity. The Division Director:Leads and oversees the department's work in climate change mitigation and resilience; soil health; renewable energy and energy efficiency; federal lands policy; and biocontrol, including oversight of CDA's Palisade Insectary. This position also oversees division work including chemigation; groundwater quality; noxious weeds; and weed-free forage.Articulates the strategic vision of the division, in close partnership with the Commissioner's Office; develops annual goals that are reported to the Governor's Office and the public; monitors and reports progress toward those goals; solves problems and removes barriers to achieving those goals; and supports staff in this work. Provides management and administrative oversight over all programs within the division.Manages the division's budget, all personnel matters within the division, and must understand and follow all statutory, regulatory, and other legal constraints defining the work of the division. Represents CDA with various boards and commissions, including the Colorado State Conservation Board. Supports the Conservation Services team in grantmaking, including for resilience grants, agrivoltaic research grants, and grants to conservation districts. Serves as a liaison for CDA with state, local, federal, and tribal partners. Oversees all conservation-related cooperative agreements, and advises the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners on partnerships, potential policy positions the department may consider taking, and federal rulemakings the department could engage on. Represents CDA at industry and community meetings.Currently serves as CDA's liaison to the Wild Horse Working Group. The Division Director works closely with CDA's Agricultural Water Policy Advisor on issues related to water quantity and quality, and coordinates on all policy matters with CDA's Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs. Often the Division Director will take on new leadership roles in specific policy areas. For example, the Division Director was integral to the development of Colorado's Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. Duties Include:Strategic and Operational Leadership Responsible for establishing the strategic actions and goals, as well as directing the operational functions of the Conservation Services Division. This includes developing strategic priorities and goals of the division programs, implementing internal policies and processes, ensuring federal and state cooperative agreements and grants are successfully implemented, and ensuring the administrative needs of division programs are met. In addition, this position will manage division managers and ensure all division employees are effectively hired and trained and can advance in their professional development. Develop & Advance Department Conservation Policies & InitiativesDevelop policies and recommends policy positions on conservation and environmental issues that advance Colorado agriculture, protect consumers, and foster responsible stewardship of the environment. This includes climate change mitigation and resilience; soil health; water; renewable energy and energy efficiency; federal lands and wildlife policy; biocontrol; noxious weeds; and more. This position makes recommendations to the Commissioner's Office on positions related to proposed state and federal regulations. In addition, this position will direct initiatives through the division programs that advance environmental stewardship and resilience for Colorado agriculture.Outreach & EngagementEngage on climate change, conservation and environmental matters with stakeholders including within CDA, the Governor's Office, state and federal agencies, tribes, institutions of higher education, industry associations, producers, community organizations, and businesses. This includes frequent speaking engagements, representing the department on working groups, media requests, and developing productive working relationships with industry, community organizations, academic, and government partners.Supervision and Leadership of StaffProvides supervision of program managers and outreach specialists while supporting all division staff by maintaining a positive team culture, providing resources and training opportunities, and leading initiatives that improve staff performance and development.Budget ManagementResponsible for the division budget, including ensuring programs have the necessary financial resources to cover personnel and operating expenditures, through the use of General Funds, Cash Funds, Federal funds, and grant funding. In addition, this position will monitor division and program expenditures to ensure programs remain within the budget, and will work with staff to identify and resolve any budget deficiencies. Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal RightsResidency Requirement: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Classification: ManagementSalary:$4,615.38 - $5,358.46 Biweekly$10,000.00 - $11,610.00 Monthly$120,000.00 - $139,320.00 Annually This position maybe eligible for hybrid and flexible work arrangements.Minimum Requirements:Education and Experience:Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study relevant to the position (see substitutions below); andSix (6) years of full-time professional experience in agribusiness, agriculture, livestock husbandry, animal health and welfare, law enforcement, regulatory programs, animal control or other fields closely related to the position. Experience must include:Experience in managing a regulatory program or overseeing regulatory compliance for an organization.Experience with renewable energy in rural or agricultural settings, agricultural climate or drought resilience and adaptation, agricultural climate change mitigation, soil health/conservation or agricultural water issues.Two (2) years of professional public or business administration, which included establishing organizational structure, developing strategic work plans, budget development and control, setting goals and objectives to achieve program results, fostering a team environment, and conducting data collection and analysis.Two (2) years of experience must include supervision, including hiring, setting goals, performance evaluation, and correcting performance issues as needed.ORExperience Only:Ten (10) years of relevant experience as listed above.YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS WILL BE USED IN A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS. RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS WILL NOT BE USED IN THIS PROCESS, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION IS DETAILED AND COMPLETED IN FULL. Conditions of Employment:Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License and be able to travel independently. This position will require travel throughout Colorado and may include traveling on short notice. Circumstances may require a position to work outside of regular business hours.Required Competencies:Experience managing conservation/environmental conservation programs.Experience with or knowledgable about the bureaucratic processes and impacts of federal land use issues that affect Colorado agriculture.Excellent interpersonal communication.Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, create systems and processes, and collaborate with and engage others.Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple, sometimes shifting priorities; able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.Detail oriented.Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as CDA's core values.Ability to communicate professionally and effectively in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.Work well under pressure.Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.A proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders.Excellent consensus building skills.Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.Important Information:Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.Please submit the following: Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualificationsOR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application . Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to mary.hunt@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.Resume and cover letters (preferred)Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)DD214 (if applicable)Factors that will be assessed: Technical Competence - Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.Depth and Breadth of Experience - Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.Job Fit - Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred. Supplemental InformationImportant Information: Part of, or the entire exam for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application material. Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received. Therefore, it is very important that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.All applications that are received by the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement by a Human Resources Specialist. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.The Department of Agriculture is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Mary Hunt, at or call 303-869-9006.Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.01 Are you a current or previous Colorado state employee? Yes No 02 If you are a current or previous Colorado state employee, please provide your Employee Identification Number (EID) in order to verify your current or previous employment. Your EID begins with 997 and is nine digits long. Please do not enter your Social Security Number. 03 Briefly describe what you believe are the most pressing environmental issues impacting Colorado agriculture and how you would address those in this position. 04 Describe how your previous work experience related to the minimum qualifications in this job announcement. 05 Describe your experience managing staff and daily operations of an organization, work unit, or team. Required Question