CDA-Climate Smart Markets Program & Grant Specialist (Grant Specialist IV)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The purpose of the Markets Division is to help increase marketing and processing opportunities for Colorado’s food and agricultural industry. Specifically, the mission of the Division is to extend in every practicable way the distribution and sales of Colorado agricultural products throughout the world market and support agricultural development from farm to market. The Climate Smart Markets Specialist manages the existing Climate Smart Markets program within the Markets Division and is specialist regarding the markets components of the Advancing Markets for Producers grant. This position serves under the supervision of the Markets Division Director and with support from the AMP Program Manager, Senior Programs Manager, and Program Grant Leads. This position is responsible for serving as the staff authority and main point of contact for the Climate Smart Markets program and for operating all facets of two grant programs across Market’s Division programs - Colorado Proud and Climate Smart Markets. This includes supporting the grant process in its entirety- from ideation of priorities and requirements to drafting applications and guidelines, posting announcements, recruiting and organizing review teams, selection criteria, awarding grants, tracking invoices, ensuring reporting requirements are met, communicating and problem solving with grantees and managing closeout of awards.

Requirements

Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to program management, agricultural markets, business development, and/or grantmaking in non-profit/governmental organizations OR Education and experience: A combination of education in agriculture, business, marketing, or economic development and/or relevant experience in agricultural markets, program management, and/or grant writing in non-profit/governmental organizations equal to seven (7) years.
Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
Experience in program management.
Experience leading new initiatives and expanding existing programs
Experience working in agricultural markets or business development initiatives
Experience working in grant management
Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
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.
Works 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.

Nice To Haves

Relevant years of Colorado State service.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Climate Smart Markets program manager and the subject matter expert on market trends and emerging markets for climate smart products and related initiatives with oversight from the Division Director
Utilize research and stakeholder input to inform development of general strategy, key messaging, marketing and communications plans, budgets, and timelines.
Design and implement specific initiatives in conjunction with Colorado Proud that advance the general understanding of how to market and promote climate smart products successfully to both consumers and manufacturers.
Work in collaboration with Colorado Proud to raise consumer awareness by utilizing a marketing plan that includes different forms of media (i.e social, packaging, in-store advertising, media kits for manufacturers/retailers/companies/farmers markets).
Set metrics for evaluating success and draw on evaluation of activities to continually revise/improve.
Work with the International Marketing team to identify opportunities to reach international consumers and develop actions that will capitalize on demand for climate smart products.
Create periodic and yearly reports outlining program accomplishments.
Compile program and statistical data to provide reports to CDA leadership and other partners on programs’ performance and implementation.
Allocate and monitor funding awards, encumbrances, expenditures and matching requirements for the AMP Program.
Monitor multiple funding sources and multiple allocations across several Markets programs.
Utilize available software and Excel to track and monitor budgets, encumbrances and expenditures.
Determine the rules and guidelines for grantees to qualify for the Colorado Proud and Climate Smart grants.
Monitor project status through consultations with grantees and review of grant reports.
Position monitors and ensures compliance and satisfactory performance of grantees, both for scope of work and adherence to federal and state rules under the Supervision of the Program Manager and Managing Director.
Work with Colorado Proud and Conservation Services Division program to align grant opportunities to match federal requirements and advance market opportunities for qualifying producers and qualifying agricultural businesses.
Execute the deliverables outlined by the federal AMP grant agreement to achieve the greatest degree of success and impact in advancing markets for climate smart commodities and products
Manage communications internally and externally to announce grant opportunities, receive stakeholder feedback, and promote programs. This includes the ability to update website information on a regular basis to share the most up-to-date information with the public.
Serve as subject matter expert on market trends and opportunities connected to climate smart and regeneratively produced goods to set appropriate guidelines for the related grant

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
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
State of Health
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!