CDA - Climate & Energy Specialist (Administrator III)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•$59,460 - $71,352•Hybrid

About The Position

The Conservation Services Division is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the department's efforts to protect and enhance Colorado's agricultural activities related to drought and climate resilience, land use and range management, conservation, soil and vegetation management, public land management, water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, endangered species, and energy development. This unit also provides administrative and financial assistance to 74 conservation districts, oversees and administers programs for noxious weeds, bio-control, agricultural water quality, chemigation, and weed-free forage. Additionally, it coordinates and collaborates with other state, multi-state, and federal agencies. This position will act as a liaison for the CDA's programs and other state and federal climate and drought resilience programs. They will advise and inform the Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office (ADCRO) Managing Director, Conservation Services leadership, CDA's Markets divisions, other state agencies, and the Governor's Office on climate and drought policy initiatives related to agriculture. The role involves attending interagency working groups on climate and drought, reporting back to the ADCRO team on new programs and policies, supporting other ADCRO programs, and leading new initiatives under the guidance of the ADCRO Managing Director. Travel is expected 6-10 times a year, often for 1-2 nights, with mileage reimbursement as a fleet vehicle is not regularly available. The position must also understand and implement OIT requirements for digital accessibility.

Requirements

Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
Six (6) years of professional experience in an agricultural field related to drought or climate resilience. Part-time experience will be pro-rated.
OR A combination of related education in agriculture, natural resources, or a closely related field (agronomy, renewable energy, agriculture policy), and/or relevant experience in an agricultural field related to drought or climate resilience that equals six (6) years.
Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with the ability to independently travel.
Must be able to pass a motor vehicle background check.
Clear understanding and experience in agriculture with an emphasis on drought and climate resilience.
Knowledge of renewable energy within the agriculture sector.
Knowledge of grant and budget administration.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Relevant years of Colorado State service.
Experience in an agriculture field or working with producers.
Experience researching state and federal policy.
Experience with climate change mitigation, adaptation, or resilience programs, natural resource management, or land management.
Experience in renewable energy development or technology relevant to agricultural lands and operations.
Experience communicating with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Represent CDA and ADCRO in statewide meetings, interagency climate plans and policies, and state climate reports, balancing agricultural community needs with state climate goals (mitigation, adaptation, resilience).
Support the writing of plans, including policy documents, and present on climate and agriculture topics.
Lead the CDA Internal Climate Call to ensure staff awareness of agency and statewide climate work and actions, serving as the point of contact for CDA staff involved in climate work.
Attend and present on behalf of the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) at interagency climate and drought working groups and task forces (e.g., Natural and Working Lands Task Force, Climate Staff working group, Colorado Resilience Office, DOLA, Climate Preparedness Office, Carbon Management, Drought Impact Task Force).
Draft slide presentations, memos, website content, and other written materials on CDA's climate work, incorporating edits from management and staff.
Track and complete assigned items in coordination with subject matter experts at CDA, other state agencies, and external groups (nonprofits, industry groups).
Provide regular updates to ADCRO Managing Director and CDA staff about interagency working groups.
Analyze and provide expert opinion to the ADCRO Director and Commissioner of Agriculture regarding policies and strategies of interagency working groups.
Respond in a timely manner to requests for departmental responses on essential items related to interagency working groups.
Review relevant planning documents, organize feedback from colleagues, and respond to requests promptly.
Manage the Climate Resilience grant process, including outreach, communication, developing grant materials, organizing the review committee, and working with procurement to process grant applications and award agreements.
Oversee existing Energy Grants (Agrivoltaics & ACRE3).
Advertise grant opportunities on the website.
Edit and update grant guidelines, application materials, and evaluation materials.
Lead webinars on how to apply for grants and answer applicant questions.
Coordinate with CDA's Procurement team on necessary materials and paperwork from grantees.
Work with grantees to obtain required materials.
Lead the evaluation committee process, including recruiting members, organizing evaluations, compiling rubrics, and leading evaluation discussions with management.
Use CDA's procurement systems (OnBase, CORE) to create grant agreements or contracts.
Track grants throughout their cycle, including collecting quarterly reports, reviewing and approving invoices, and managing any changes to project budgets or scope with grantees.
Compile grant data and create annual reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Communicate grant outcomes through written and oral presentations.
Research and summarize agricultural-related climate policies and programs, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions, drought, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and land use planning.
Work with the ADCRO Managing Director and CDA staff to develop CDA policy positions and engage agricultural stakeholders.
Analyze existing and emerging climate and drought state and federal policies impacting Colorado agriculture and provide analysis to relevant leadership and staff.
Research and summarize emerging climate, drought, and energy policies adopted by other states to inform Colorado's policy development.
Engage Colorado producers and agricultural groups for input on new climate or energy policies or programs.
Research and summarize climate and drought policies from the USDA and other federal agencies impacting Colorado agriculture.
Create recommendations for policy or program initiatives.
Complete ad hoc assignments to communicate with stakeholders and plan events and meetings related to climate or drought issues.
Assist management in creating communications materials and planning/logistics for events and meetings.
Assist ADCRO Managing Director with internal communication between CSD programs to ensure understanding of current program opportunities.
Present to internal staff, advisory committees, and external stakeholders.
Manage stakeholder meetings by organizing virtual or in-person seminars on topics like methane emissions or carbon management, including outreach, advertising, venue selection, vendor interaction, payments, and ensuring interpretation services.
Set up for meetings, including carrying materials, arranging chairs and tables, and providing tech support (projectors, computers, slide decks, virtual/hybrid meeting software).