Water Use Efficiency Grant Coordinator

Purpose Oversee and implement all activities of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) State Water Use Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) grant program. Key Responsibilities Leadership and Direction Receive broad guidance relating to overall key objectives, critical issues, new concepts, and policy matters and general parameters for execution. Receive direction as needed, and especially on highly complex assignments. Independently apply extensive and diversified knowledge of scientific and engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields. Review work produced by staff for quality assurance. At the Operational and Company Level Manage and perform all aspects of CDFA SWEEP grant administration including outreach, budgets, schedules, and field activities both directly and in coordination with other team members. Coordinate activities with growers, managing the project budget and scope of work, overseeing, and tracking materials and supplies, collecting data, writing reports and working with team members to prepare and track invoices. Assist growers with improving irrigation practices and reducing greenhouse gas production, provide education on how to maintain efficient irrigation systems, and introduce growers to new technologies and BMPs for water use efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction. Do the Work Maintain a thorough understanding of grant requirements to ensure project goals are met. Identify opportunities to directly assist growers with a combination of increasing water use efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas production. Manage all aspects of grant administration including grant requirements, grower outreach and education, application review and approval, reimbursement procedures, and technical and fiscal oversight. Work closely with team members to assist in the collection of data and preparation of progress and other reports. Discuss program requirements and sources of funds available with administrative personnel. Communicate with personnel affected by proposed programs in order to develop program goals and objectives, outline how funds are to be used, and explain procedures necessary to obtain funding. Assist in preparing narrative justification for purchase of new equipment and other budgetary expenditures. Develop and submit proposals for approval. Complete grant-specific reports, and research the availability of both public and private grants. Meet with representatives of funding sources to discuss progress and planned future work. Direct and coordinate evaluation and monitoring of grant-funded programs. Follow and report on the grant funding process and prepare reports to comply with grant requirements. Maintain master files on grants. Monitor paperwork connected with grant-funded programs. Success Metrics and Competencies Ideal candidate will consistently demonstrate: Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization and external partners to include colleagues, clients, landowners, government agency personnel, and the general public. Highly motivated and problem-solving attitude. Strong sense of urgency in responding to constituents. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Strong work ethic and commitment to quality. Self-reliance and ability to operate independently with limited direction. Commitment to promoting the reputation of the company through quality of work. Aspirations to grow professionally and advance within the company. Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients. Commitment to becoming a "citizen" of the broader organization, breaking down barriers and silos. Commitment to working in partnership with others inside and outside the organization. Ability to effectively manage multiple time-sensitive tasks. Ability to learn, understand, and apply environmental laws and regulations, government agency policies, environmental principles and practices, and permitting requirements. Basic understanding of financial reports and metrics. A proven track record of innovation, leadership and creativity. Education, Work Experience, Licensure/Certifications, and Technical Requirements Bachelor's or master's degree in soil or plant science, agronomy, agriculture, water resources or related field. A minimum of three (3+) years of grant coordination work experience required. Project management experience or the ability, aptitude, and interest to learn including developing proposals, budgets, management of personnel and workloads and deliverables (including technical reports and permits). Demonstrated data analysis and interpretation skills. Interest in production agriculture, irrigation, greenhouse gas reduction. Knowledge of applicable state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Strong mechanical aptitude (including pumps, wells, and irrigation equipment, etc.). Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Must hold a valid driver's license (CDL). Physical Demands and Working Environment Partially indoor professional office environment which may include bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic. Partially outdoor work environment which may include adverse weather conditions, varying temperatures, excessive noise, and/or potential hazards. Mobility around an office environment. Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets. Mobility around a job site to include walking, bending, crawling, climbing, squatting, or kneeling and wearing of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Frequent and prolonged use of data collection equipment and/or drones, necessitating walking the assigned study area to complete data collection over the course of several hours. Primarily local travel during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be required according to the needs of the project. Occasional lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds. Occasional pushing or pulling up to 50 pounds. Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder. Salary and eligible variable compensation (if any) commensurate with experience. Range $55,000 - $95,000 and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Note: While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary at any time with or without notice.