- Salary: $26.75 – $44.79 Hourly
- Location: Salt Lake County, UT
- Job Type: Full Time
- Job Number: 44954
- Agency: 570 Department of Agriculture and Food
- Unit: 6110 Conservation
- Opening Date: 05/01/2025
- Closing Date: 5/14/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
- FLSA: Exempt
- Recruiter: Christa Rowland, 801-538-4826
- # of Openings: 1
- Schedule Code: AX – Employees in supervisory positions – This is a career service exempt at will position.
- Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.
- Driver License Requirements: Employees hired for this recruitment will be subject to the Driver Eligibility standards found at the following link: https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/driver%20eligibility/Current%20Rules
- EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, dial 711 or TTY: 800-346-4128.
Job Description
Job Title: Agricultural Water Optimization Program Manager
Location: Taylorsville
Job Description:
Department of Agriculture and Food is seeking a full-time Program Manager to lead our Agricultural Water Program. This exempt position focused on the implementation of agricultural water management practices statewide. The Program Manager will work to maintain viable agriculture while reducing water depletion, enhancing water availability, and minimizing impacts on water supply, water quality, and the environment. Responsibilities include coordinating with local, state, and private entities to identify quality projects, determining optimal use of allocated funds for statewide water-saving projects, promoting the Agricultural Water Optimization program throughout the state, and presenting at various venues to educate agricultural producers and partners. The role also involves tracking and reporting on all implemented projects, including projected and actual water savings, and documenting programmatic success. This position manages six employees focused on project implementation and the development of contracts with agricultural producers.
This position works with and under the direction of the Conservation Division in the Utah Department
of Agriculture and Food. The office will be located at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
office building in Taylorsville, Utah.
The Agency:
If you would like more information about working for the Department of Agriculture and Food please click here.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the management of the Agricultural Water Optimization Program.
- Solicit applications for the Agricultural Water Optimization Program
- With the assistance of the Agricultural Water Optimization Committee, develop a ranking criteria for Ag. Water Optimization Projects.
- Work with the Agricultural Water Optimization Committee to select projects that will
be funded using Ag Water Optimization projects. - Verify that all projects are monitored, and water saving achieved by the program are correctly documented and reported on annually.
- Oversee the management of 6 Water Optimization staff members.
- Oversee the hiring, training, and evaluation of these employees
- Conduct field visits with Water Optimization Employees, UDAF planners, and NRCS
planners to verify that programmatic expectations are being met. - Report annually to various agency partners, the general public, and legislature on the program
- and the accomplishments as needed.
Qualifications
Effective Comminication:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to and understand information and ideas as presented
verbally. - Communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand
information presented in writing.
Organization:
- Attend meetings and coordinate projects among various parties
Planning:
- Principles, theories, and practices of land and/or range management.
- Principles, theories, and practices of easement development and monitoring.
- State and federal conservation programs.
- Procurement and/or administration of contracts, easements, grants, or similar agreements.
- Principles, theories, and practices of agronomy, entomology, weed science, range management, horticulture, seed production, pesticide use, animal feeds, plant anatomy, botany, animal science or natural resource management.
Time Management:
- Lead or functionally supervise staff.
Professional Skills:
- Have a high degree of self-motivation and work with minimal supervision.
- Must work well with technical and professional staff, elected officials, and local stakeholders.
- Offer services to individuals and groups without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other such designations protected by law.
*Preference many be given to applicants with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience in Agronomy, Soil Science, Botany, Horticulture, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Engineering, or other degree or experience with a natural resource, or agricultural focus.
Supplemental Information
- Work may require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough
terrain or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar
activities. - Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA 53-3-
202(1)(a).granted the privilege to operate a motor vehicle by being licensed as a driver by the
division under this chapter. - The work may require overnight travel.
- Work and/or office hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Regular travel throughout the state is required. Evening and weekend meetings and occasional overnight trips are
required to attend various state and federal agency meetings.
Why You Should Join Our Team:
The State of Utah has great benefits and the Department of Agriculture and Food is made up of a group of great people with a farmer’s work ethic. If you have a passion for agriculture, the Department of Agriculture and Food is the place for you.
Employer: State of Utah
Address: 4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2100, Taylorsville, Utah, 84129
Website: https://www.governmentj
