Local recruitment: Watershed Protection Administrator

Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE 

Job ID: 22955
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources – Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, Watershed Protection Program
Location: Pierre
Salary: $85,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience
Pay Grade: SM2
Closing Date: 05/26/2023

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information on the Department of Agriculture and Natural resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

This position directs and administers the Watershed Protection Program within the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The DANR Watershed Protection Program works to assess, protect, improve, restore, and maintain the health of South Dakota waters by providing local government bodies, natural resource management agencies, and the general public with information, funding, and technical assistance for watershed assessment and restoration projects. Work duties of the Watershed Protection Program Administrator require the person to be an expert on watershed management, water quality, hydrology, best management practices to improve and protect water quality, local watershed management organizations, financial assistance programs to help fund best management practices, and landowner relations. The Watershed Protection Program Administrator will use that expertise to be an innovative thinker who can lead the team to develop unique solutions to water quality and watershed problems while incorporating scientific and technical knowledge, be an outstanding communicator with excellent skills in both writing and speaking, a thorough knowledge of legislative scope, have the ability to set goals and objectives for the program, leadership and managerial skills to meet those goals and objectives on time, on budget, and using safe work practices. This position reports to the Director of the Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry or the Department Secretary in the Director’s absence.

Nature of Work

• develops and negotiates annual plan for a comprehensive environmental program; understands and clearly articulates department goals and environmental requirements as context for tactical program planning, developing, prioritizing, implementing and monitoring of operations; establishes goals for individual teams/activities that fit within and help meet departmental goals, manages the program and its employees to be a part of the departmental team;
• develops and has overall responsibility for program goals and objectives, policies and procedures, and technical standards;
• evaluates economic feasibility and ensures activities and projects are developed and implemented in a manner that protects the environment and public health, preserves natural resources, promotes economic development, and facilitates regulatory compliance;
• delegates supervision and/or coordinates activities across the program with the aim of accomplishing environmental goals while balancing economic feasibility, program costs, practices, and staffing;
• instills a sense of vision and direction in teams and creates a positive work environment that leverages the strengths of members and focuses on individual, team, and program-wide developmental areas in order to increase the capabilities and ensure success of environmental and program goals;
• identifies, allocates, reorganizes, and provides necessary resources and requirements to achieve program objectives and goals, considering future environmental needs and issues, and to meet the needs of staff;
• develops and maintains excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coordination, understanding of program goals, objectives and regularity requirements, and their effective communication; serves as department spokesperson in public forums;
• anticipates program issues/problems and develops plans for problem resolution; drafts position papers, technical memoranda, and reports on program issues; prepares agenda items requiring board action;
• prepares legislation; analyzes the impact of federal laws and rules on the program; testifies at hearings;
• utilizes technical knowledge and experience to generate and develop insights, approaches, and improvements that may have impact beyond immediate program. Maintains and develops technical/managerial knowledge and networks;
• manages and engages in effective people management activities such as recruitment, interviewing, hiring, training and retention, including personnel actions such as performance reviews and discipline to ensure adequate and competent staff;
• develops budget projections, justifies needs, and manages budget(s) for program to ensure proper expenditure of funds. Negotiates and administers grants and contracts;
• oversees the Environmental Scientists’ work with the conservation districts and conservation commission. 

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Bachelors or Masters degree in environmental or physical sciences, progressive technical experience typically over 10 or more years, experience managing others in a supervisory capacity, developing and managing budgets, and working knowledge of state government. 

Appropriate certifications/licenses if applicable. A strong level of commitment, teamwork, efficiency, meeting deadlines, and passion for dedicated customer service. 

Knowledge of:

• water quality, watershed management, best management practices for improving or protecting water quality;
• physical, chemical, and biological contaminants in water, water treatment practices, and Total Maximum Daily Loads; 
• department and federal policies and procedures regarding the federal Clean Water Act, and state environmental protection laws in SDCL 34A, 38-7, 38-8, and 38-8A.

Skill to:

• acquire and maintain the technical background and knowledge to be able to provide guidance to staff in the technical aspects of their projects; 
• communicate and explain technical information to the public, the media, and others in a manner they will understand; 
• serve as a credible technical expert witness in front of DANR’s various boards and/or circuit court.

Ability to: 

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers;
• manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• organize, analyze and evaluate available information and draw reasonable conclusions;
• communicate information clearly and concisely and develop ideas in a logical sequence;
• interpret laws, regulations and specifications governing watershed management and water quality protection;
• have a full understanding of the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program and Watershed Implementation and Total Maximum Daily Loads;
• develop procedures and determine the logical flow of work through the work unit;
• continually develop and use technology to improve customer services;
• Continually adapts and uses technology to increase production with fewer people;
• Plan and administer the work of a staff of professional and technical employees;
• write clearly and concisely;
• have strong public speaking and leadership skills;
• problem solve and make logical, rational decisions;
• develop positive and effective working and customer service relationships that will lead to success.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your curriculum vitae and writing samples.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=M5W
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

“An Equal Opportunity Employer”