The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.
Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502
About the Position:
- Who can apply: Anyone
- Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
- Full/Part-time: Full-Time
- Work Schedule: Days (8am to 5pm)
- Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
- Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes
Compensation:
- Annual Salary Range: $85,000 – $90,000 per year
- Hourly Pay Range: $40.87 – $43.27 per hour
* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.
Employment Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
- Sick & Vacation leave
- Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
- Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
- Fitness Centers in select locations
- Employee discounts with the STAR Program
- Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Position Summary & Responsibilities:
This position will remain posted until filled.
Location: This position is located at the Garden City Field Office in Finney County, Kansas
Job Summary:
This position is part of the Interstate Water Issues (IWI) team focusing on the operational and compliance aspects of the Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact (Compact), and will contribute to the coordination, negotiation, and communication with counterparts in Colorado, federal agencies, and other Kansas team members.
This position will participate in planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of operational policies and guidelines related to the Compact, including U.S. Supreme Court decrees and various agreements between Kansas and Colorado, to protect Kansas’ interests in its Arkansas River water supply.
This position will monitor and analyze Colorado operations, including reviewing Colorado ditch diversion accounting using Colorado’s real-time streamflow data and accounting. Review water accounting related to various Colorado regulatory requirements. Review water accounting in John Martin Reservoir.
This position will timely identify any issues, engage the Kansas team, and work with Kansas, Colorado, and/or federal officials as necessary to timely resolve such issues.
Participate in regular meetings with federal agency representatives responsible for federal facilities and structures that measure, control, or impact water supply available to Kansas.
Participate in Colorado operational meetings including water conservancy districts, winter water storage program, water augmentation program, Colorado Division 2 officials, Arkansas River Forum, and other meeting relevant to the Compact and the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado and Kansas.
This position will aid in the performance of the duties generated by the Arkansas River Compact Administration including reviewing meeting transcripts, preparing data, drafting and reviewing reports, and other administrative duties as may be required.
The Hydrologic-Institutional (H-I) Model determines Colorado’s compliance with the Compact. Support the review and evaluation of H-I Model updates, help implement enhancements and refinements to the H-I Model, and help the Kansas team work toward better data-driven decision models in Kansas. Perform field verification of Colorado irrigated acres and trans-mountain, groundwater, and surface water diversions to help Kansas manage water in times of shortage, excess flows, and poor water quality.
This position has the opportunity to telework per guidelines of the Telework Policy of the Kansas Department of Agriculture KDA after one year of service.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A professional engineering license recognized by the Kansas Board of Technical Professions.
- Bachelor’s degree and any combination of the following equal to one year experience and/or education: environmental science, physical sciences, biological sciences, mathematics and/or engineering.
- Be able to give public presentations, conduct discussions in a public forum.
- Oral and written communication skills are essential.
- Be able to foster and maintain effective working relationship with diverse interest.
- Oral and written communication skills are essential.
- Travel within the State of Kansas and out-of-state will be required.
- Field work may be required as part of the position responsibilities. Field work may result in exposure to loud noises, moving parts, and various climatic conditions.
- Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.
Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):
- Knowledge of agriculture, water systems and Kansas Water Law and regulations.
- Experience with water rights administration, hydrologic analysis, and water management is preferred.
- Technical experience in conducting hydrologic studies or investigations and reporting results is preferred.
- Courses or work experience in water resources, hydrology, and hydraulics is preferred.
Recruiter Contact Information:
- Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
- Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
- Phone: (785) 564-6713
- Fax: (785) 564-6777
- Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502
Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:
- On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
- DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
- Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
- Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
- Cover Letter
Job Application Process
- Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
- Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
- Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
- Complete and Submit your application.
- Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
- Email – the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
- Notifications – view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.
See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:
How to Claim Veterans Preference
Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
