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CDA-Program Management II – Sr. Programs Manager, Agricultural & Food Systems Development

Colorado Department of Transportation

Department Information

Who we are:

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your 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 Local Food Access
  • Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture 
  • Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture 
  • Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

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)
  • Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
  • Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
  • Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
  • Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
  • 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
  • BenefitHub state employee discount program
  • Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
  • Excellent 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/totalcompensation

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The 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: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi. 

Description of Job

Work Unit:

The purpose (or mission) of the Market’s Division is to help increase marketing and processing opportunities for Colorado’s food and agricultural industry. Within the Markets Division is the new Agricultural & Food Systems Development section. The purpose of this section is to advance agricultural and food systems development through loans and grants, workforce and leadership training, and improving access to healthy foods in communities.

Major Objectives of the Positions:

This position will provide second-level management and direction of six programs that increase support for new and existing farmers and advance Colorado food systems from field to plate. 

Primary job duties include. 

  • Strategic planning and program growth, budget management, directing program operations, staff supervision, and community outreach and engagement. 
  • Represent the division in public meetings and substitute for the division director as needed. 
  • This position is a term-limited appointment with funding through June 30, 2027, with a possibility of extension. 

Appointment to this position is contingent upon continued funding and available work. The incumbent will be required to sign a Waiver of Retention Rights.

Primary Duties include, but are not limited to: 

Strategic Planning and Program Growth 

This position drives the vision, mission, and strategic planning of the section to advance opportunities for agricultural development and food systems. 

Specific duties include:

  • Oversees the preparation, development, and implementation of strategic and operational plans for each of the section’s programs.
  • Establishes quarterly and annual performance measures for each program and tracks and reports progress.
  • Establishes and monitors program strategic goals, including any stimulus spending measures and Wildly Important Goals lead measures. Works with Program Mangers on accurate and timely reporting.
  • Identifies areas in which programs are falling short of objectives and goals and provides direction to program managers on any course correction needed to be successful.
  • Explores opportunities for the development and advancement of section programs and the establishment of new programs that align with the Division’s vision and mission. This includes applying to new funding opportunities.
  • Engages with stakeholders on developing strategic plans and opportunities for program growth.
  • As requested, provides progress reports and summaries of programs to CDA leadership, Governor’s Office, and Legislative Committees, and the public.
  • Advance CDA’s equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, and takes a proactive approach to engaging impacted communities, building avenues for participation, and creating fair and equitable programs.

Direct Program Operations

This position will provide high-level direction of program operations, working closely with the Program Managers on budget management, administrative functions, policies and procedures, grant management, and Federal funding reporting. Specific duties include:

  • Assists with the management of program operating budgets, attends monthly budget meetings.
  • Assists Program Managers and section staff on timely execution of grant awards, including working with the procurement office to expeditiously execute contracts and other documents.
  • Establishes necessary policies and procedures with Program Managers on administrating programs and grant management protocols with director approval. 
  • Conducts general process improvement initiatives to standardize work and procedures within the section with similar programs within the Division and CDA.
  • Assists with applications and management of Federal funding, ensuring compliance with spending and reporting requirements.
  • Reviews and approves requests for travel, training, and purchases to be made by section staff members.
  • Keeps Division Director informed of problems, issues, and trends with programs. Responsible for hiring processes and onboarding of new staff within the section, including procurement of equipment for new staff.
  • Responsible for hiring processes and onboarding of new staff within the section, including procurement of equipment for new staff.

Staff Supervision 

This position supervises, develops, and directs professional and support/technical staff, ensuring the delivery of services that support the programs administered by the Section. Specific duties include:

  • Ensures that staff is knowledgeable and up to date in their respective job skills and duties.
  • Prepares and reviews performance evaluations of staff to achieve maximum performance. This includes setting performance goals and expectations and evaluating the performance of direct reports. Coaches and mentors’ staff to improve and enhance performance.
  • Demonstrate commitment to CDA’s core values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, by participating in CDA’s Inclusive Leadership Program; through communication and behavior with staff and stakeholders; and developing program initiatives with these values at the core.
  • Manages and treats all employees equitably, as well as resolves routine personnel issues or problems in a constructive manner, including issuing corrective actions, resolving informal grievances, and initiating disciplinary actions.
  • Evaluates workload and staffing needs based upon program goals and budgets, overseeing the allocation of human and financial resources, and identifies cost-effective approaches to improving the quality of services and operations.
  • Recommend restructures staffing patterns as necessary to provide optimal services.

Community Outreach and Engagement 

This position provides leadership and serves as the liaison at meetings involving federal, state, local government, and industry partners discussing policies and analyses that affect section programs. 

Specific duties include: 

  • Communicates with CDA leadership and staff, industry, consumers, customers, legislature, and other state and federal agencies to gather input, explain, interpret, justify, and as necessary, defend CDA and Division policies, actions, and requirements always in close collaboration with CDA leadership.
  • Communicates effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state. 
  • Serves as an expert witness when necessary and delivers legislative testimony as needed. 
  • Coordinates with CDA’s Communications Director to communicate and promote the services and programs of the section to industry, media, and consumers. This includes organizing and distributing timely program information, as well as responding to citizens or media questions and/or complaints concerning aspects of the section’s programs and operations. 

Division Representation

At the request of the division director, this position assumes the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the director in his/her absence.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This position is a grant funded appointment with funding through June 30, 2027, with a possibility of extension. Appointment to this position is contingent upon continued funding and available work. The incumbent will be required to sign a Waiver of Retention Rights. 

This list may be used to fill additional positions 

Residency Requirement: 

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Class Code & Classification Description: 

H1A3XXProgram Management IISalary:

$3,510.46 - $4,212.46 Biweekly

$7,606.00 - $9,127.00 Monthly

$91,272.00 - $109,524.00 Annually 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

  • Nine (9) years of proven skills and experiences in in program management that includes:
  • Establishing program goals and objectives and measuring outcomes.
  • Two years developing and managing a budget.
  • Two years supervision of a professional level staff which included hiring, establishing goals and objectives, and performance management. 

Or 

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Agriculture, Business Administration, Grant Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or another relevant field and
  • Five (5) years of full-time professional experience in program management that includes:
  • Establishing program goals and objectives and measuring outcomes.
  • Two years developing and managing a budget.
  • Two years supervision of a professional level staff which included hiring, establishing goals and objectives, and performance management.

Substitutions:

  • A Master’s degree from an accredited institution or college in Agriculture, Business Administration, Grant Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or another relevant field will substitute for One (1) year of required experience. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working in Colorado agriculture.
  • Experience with food systems (supply/value-add chain).
  • Experience in starting new programs.
  • Experience in managing grant funded programs.
  • Experience in developing/delivering community outreach and engagement efforts.
  • Experience interpreting and applying rules, policy, and procedures.
  • Previous experience with collaborative efforts at the state, local, or community level.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, critical thinking, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Conditions of Employment:

  • Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with the ability to independently travel. Milage will be reimbursed for the travel.

Competencies:

  • Knowledge of program management including strategic planning, program development, and program operations.
  • Knowledge of agriculture, and or food systems (supply/value-add chain)
  • Knowledge and experience with budget management.
  • Supervision experience. 
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
  • 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 priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately 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 and industry experts.
  • Excellent negotiation and 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.

Factors to be Evaluated: 

  • Knowledge of program management including strategic planning, program development, and program operations.
  • Knowledge of agriculture, and or food systems (supply/value-add chain)
  • Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Supplemental Information

Important 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 mary.hunt@state.co.us 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: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

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.

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Confirmed 20 hours ago. Posted 17 days ago.

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