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

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 five "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

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.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA 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 State of Health
• 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

Equal Opportunity

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We believe 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.

Organizational Purpose:

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.

Climate Smart Markets Program Management:

• 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.

Grants Specialist:

• 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.

Advancing Markets for Producers- Markets Specialist:

• 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

This position will need to travel within the state a few times a year. When possible, a Fleet Car will be provided. This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy.
***This is a Grant Funded Position set to expire on 3/31/2028 if not renewed***
Please note that this position is considered hybrid for the Broomfield Office location and is eligible for flexible work arrangements, including some work-from-home options.

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Skills-based Hiring:
This position is advertised in alignment with Executive Order 2022-015, Skills-Based Hiring. Recruitment for this position recognizes that skills can be developed through various pathways, including formal education, work experience, volunteering, self-directed learning, and other life experiences, opening doors to individuals from varied backgrounds. Those with relevant experience but without traditional credentials are welcome to apply!

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Salary Range: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Minimum Requirements:

• 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

• 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. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant years of Colorado State service.

• 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. (When using your own vehicle, mileage will be reimbursed for the travel).

• Circumstances may require the position to work outside of regular business hours.

• 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.

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR 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 [email protected] by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

• 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.

Appeal Rights: 

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.