Agricultural Program Manager

City of Boulder • Boulder, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this role implements, evaluates, and assists with the development of grazing management and agricultural stewardship plans, policies, projects, and infrastructure management practices to protect and enhance grazing lands and ranching operations and activities on OSMP properties. This role develops broad or specialized expert strategies and resolution of issues in grazing land stewardship and natural resource protection including monitoring and analysis, technical assistance and consultation.

Requirements

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, departments, governmental agencies agricultural producers, and the public.
• Ability to prepare effective written reports, and to work and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, including the ability to prepare and present oral presentations.
• Ability to provide feedback to coworkers, volunteers, and seasonal employees for the continuous improvement of operations.
• Ability to organize work using latitude in determining approach and schedule.
• Ability to demonstrate analytical and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of regenerative grazing management practices and field data collection.
• Knowledge of agricultural infrastructure and the ability to manage infrastructure maintenance and construction projects.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS and Microsoft Office.
• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.
• Bachelor’s degree in forest/range management, natural resource management, botany, animal science, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
• A minimum of two (2) years of work experience in a grazing lands or natural resource management related field.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to review and evaluate engineering designs and drawings.
• Knowledge that can be demonstrated of haying and grazing management and grassland stewardship techniques and activities in Western High Plains and/or Rocky Mountain Front Range Foothills ecosystems/cultures.
• Knowledge and experience with developing grazing management plans and implementing infrastructure construction projects.
• Skills and strong proficiency with ArcGIS.
• Prior experience leading or supervising technicians, contractors, and/or volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Works in a collaborative manner to help implement the grazing lands stewardship and protection program.
• Collaborates with other staff to develop and implement agricultural resources and infrastructure management projects identified in OSMP plans.
• Works cooperatively with OSMP staff to develop and implement best management practices and policies to accomplish work group and department goals.
• Coordinates and performs livestock grazing management and infrastructure management field work to accomplish department goals.
• Administers grazing and agricultural leases and monitors compliance.
• Builds effective alliances with other department service areas, city departments, local and state agencies, and public interest groups.
• Coordinates with appropriate agencies and partners to ensure timelines, regulatory requirements, public process requirements, and budgetary constraints are met.
• Develops programmatic budget recommendations and manages project budgets and business processes associated with the program’s annual work plan.
• Assists to pursue grant opportunities related to program goals.
• Understands departmental business practices and develops and ensures contractor compliance with contract terms.
• Provides advice and technical assistance for management planning, land use planning, programmatic budgeting, and project designs to implement grazing lands and natural resource protection program goals.
• Develops and provides broad or highly specialized technical advice and objectives for inclusion in department plans that support program goals, which may include recommendations for property acquisitions.
• Conducts literature review and analysis on complex issues related to livestock grazing management, natural resource protection and agricultural stewardship and local foods production.
• Provides technical review of department project designs, permits, and leases to make recommendations for improvements to better meet program goals.
• Contributes design recommendations and monitoring to help ensure department compliance with regulatory requirements related to program disciplines and project implementation.
• Works as part of a team to coordinate staff response to issues related to program disciplines.
• Designs and conducts research and monitoring related to the grazing lands protection and grazing management program for the department.
• Coordinates with the OSMP Science and Climate Resilience staff on design, implementation, field data collection, and analysis of monitoring and research projects on OSMP properties to support program goals and department policy.
• Develops requests for research proposals, evaluates research requests from outside agencies and individuals, monitors and tracks field work, reviews, and approves final research reports.
• Coordinates with other OSMP staff to maintain program research and monitoring data in accordance with department policy.
• Performs public and staff information and outreach activities including applicable liaison roles.
• Provides liaison role to internal department staff for the program.
• Develops and conducts informational and interpretive presentations to educational institutions, organizations, and the public.
• Provides periodic training for staff and volunteers.
• Provides liaison role to external organizations for program disciplines, as applicable, representing department goals and integrating with the goals of others.
• Leads, coordinates, and oversees seasonal staff activities for the agricultural resources and infrastructure management program.
• Works with other staff to plan, develop, and relay daily work plans for seasonal crews and ensure that directions are being followed.
• Performs or coordinates necessary training for seasonal crews including writing equipment maintenance protocols, safe equipment and tool operation and safety precautions.
• Works with other staff to ensure crews are conducting treatments efficiently, effectively, and in a safe and legal manner, and are tracking treatments per state and city requirements.
• Ensures that crew members have all necessary equipment and supplies, and that tools, vehicles, and equipment are maintained in good working order.
• Coordinates and manages contractors, volunteers, and interns as needed.
• Implements or coordinates prairie dog management on assigned irrigated agricultural land.
• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
• Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers; listens to questions and concerns, evaluates issues and possible solutions, works collaboratively with the OSMP and other city teams to find solutions to challenges that arise.
• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents.
• Ensures safety of self, others, materials, and equipment.
• Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
• Knows and complies with all city and department policies; participating in professional training and development opportunities; and adhering to attendance and workplace policies.
• Provides performance management input and recommendations on work group crew leaders and technicians.

Benefits

• Benefit Eligibility Group: Non Union (30+ Hours) Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level