Farmland Conservation and Access Program Manager

Come join our team as we support multi-jurisdictional efforts to conserve working farms and forests, restore habitat for fish and other wildlife, control noxious weeds, and acquire open space. The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), within King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Rural and Regional Services Section (RRSS) is looking for a Farmland Conservation and Access Program Manager. to join the Agriculture, Forestry, and Incentives Unit (AFI).

Why This is a Great Opportunity: 
King County’s farms and forests are important contributors to the county’s economy, provide wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater impacts, mitigate against climate change, contribute to positive human health outcomes, support business development, and create jobs. The Program Manager will continue and expand programs and projects focused on farmland preservation, farmland management, and farmland access.  This person will lead efforts to achieve greater program effectiveness and increased efficiency. Daily, the person in this position will have an opportunity to enhance our environment, find balance among competing resource needs, and make a difference in the lives of residents in King County.

About the Role:
The Farmland Conservation and Access Program Manager will lead three key programs that strive to preserve, restore, and manage farmland and enhance opportunities for farmland access on both County owned farmland. They will supervise staff who are focused on improving farmland access for farmers from historically underserved communities; expanding the Farmland Preservation Program; and owning, managing, and leasing farmland that provides access for beginning and BIPOC farmers and serves to demonstration regenerative/climate-smart agricultural practices.

The Farmland Conservation and Access Program Manager will be responsible for leading development of program goals, objectives, and performance measures, all with a focus on equity and better serving historically underrepresented communities. The person in this position will frequently collaborate with staff members in county, state, and federal agencies, partner organizations, and individual landowners to build and maintain effective working relationships. This work aligns with several King County initiatives, including Clean Water Healthy Habitat, Land Conservation Initiative (LCI), Strategic Climate Action Plan, Local Food Initiative, and Equity and Social Justice strategic plans. This position will report directly to the Unit Manager and will supervise three to five staff members. 

Key Program Areas Include:

• Program Management: Responsible for overseeing and leading strategy development for farmland preservation and access programs, including goal setting, performance evaluation, staff supervision, and policy development. manages budgets, procurement, and represents King County on farmland-related committees.
  
  
• Farmland Access Program Development: Leads enhancement of the Farmland Access Program, which includes creating pathways for historically underserved communities to access farmland. Directs strategic acquisition of county-owned farmland, ensures staff have needed resources to manage county-owned farms, and supports farmland leasing programs.
  
  
• Agricultural Subject Matter Expert: Advocates for farmland preservation in project reviews, coordinates internal and external teams on farmland issues, and engages in policy development affecting agriculture, emphasizing multi-benefit approaches to land use optimization.
  
  

About the Team:
The Agriculture, Forestry, and Incentives Unit (AFI) is part of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Rural and Regional Services Section, which supports multi-jurisdictional efforts to conserve working farms and forests, restore habitat for fish and other wildlife, control noxious weeds, and acquire open space. AFI is comprised of a team of dedicated individuals that supports forestland and farmland owners, provides farmland access to farmers from historically underserved communities, preserve important working lands and other types of open space, and contributes to efforts focused on increasing environmental health and climate resiliency of urban and rural landscapes throughout the county. This position will directly contribute to the County’s Clean Water Healthy Habitat Strategic Plan, Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, Strategic Climate Action Plan, and Local Food Initiative.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: 
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As the Farmland Conservation and Access Program Manager, your work will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water Land & Resources Division with King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment, and enhancing management of working landscapes, and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Program Management: Responsible for overseeing and strategizing various farmland preservation and access programs, including goal setting, performance evaluation, staff supervision, and policy development. Manages budgets, procurement, and represents King County in farmland-related committees.
• Farmland Access Program Development: Leads the enhancement of the Farmland Access Program, focusing on creating pathways for historically underserved communities to access farmland. Directs strategic acquisition of county-owned farmland, ensures equitable allocation, and supports leasing programs.
• Agricultural Subject Matter Expert: Advocates for farmland preservation in project reviews, coordinates internal and external teams on farmland issues, and engages in policy development affecting agriculture, emphasizing multi-benefit approaches to land use optimization.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Combination of education (one or more degrees in Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Public Planning, or related discipline), training and experience that demonstrates knowledge, skills, and ability to perform duties described in job announcement.
  
  
•  Successful history developing and managing programs focused on farmland access, farmland preservation, farmland management, farmland leasing, and/or regenerative/climate-smart agriculture.
  
  
• Experience managing high-performing, career service staff. 
  
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the agriculture community. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner with messaging tailored to target audience. Experience speaking with groups, agencies, and landowners about complex issues.
  
  
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues who may have opposing viewpoints on the highest and best use for lands.
  
  
• Ability to work within an institution to remain in alignment with leadership while pressing forward on recommended improvements to farmland access vision and programs.
  
  
• Minimal limitations on the ability to travel throughout King County, adjacent counties, or other travel destinations in a timely manner. 
• Proficiency using Microsoft programs for document, spreadsheet, and presentation development, project management, data analysis, and online document collaboration and planning (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams). 
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with BIPOC farmers and community-based organizations that support historically underrepresented communities.
• Successful history of securing government grant, foundation, and other funding to support program development.
• Genuine passion for working with farmers and preserving farmland. 
  
  

• Action Oriented -Taking on new opportunities and touch challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Cultivates Innovation-Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful
• Strategic Mindset - Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Builds Effective Teams - Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Directs Work - Providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Work will primarily be performed remotely, but weekly in-person collaboration with staff, colleagues, partners, organizations, and farmers is anticipated. This position reports onsite on the first day of employment for orientation onsite at King Street Center, potentially more as directed by supervisor. Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to meet workplace reporting requirements.  
• Primary onsite location: is King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This location offers excellent accessibility through multiple mass transit options ensuring convenient and sustainable commuting. This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work
• Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and it is not eligible for overtime. This full-time position works a 40 -hour work week. 
• Physical Requirement: This position is not physically strenuous and does not require a pre=employment physical. However, it does require candidates to have the mobility to navigate farm environments independently and comfortably.
• Union Membership: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.

Application and Selection Process: 
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness of online application, cover letter, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Applications without the following required materials may NOT be considered for this position:

• King County application (REQUIRED)
• Resume (Optional; (will be reviewed if submitted)
• Cover Letter (REQUIRED) 

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
William R. Herbert, Human Resource Analyst
wherbert@kingcounty.gov
(206) 477-5494

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity. 

WHY WORK FOR KING COUNTY? King County was named "Best-in-State Employer" in the Forbes magazine 2019, ranking 16 on the list of best employers in Washington State - visit: Awards given to King County to see more! King County's Investing in YOU initiative is building a workplace where ALL employees can thrive so we can become the nation's Best Run Government. Enjoy a balanced life with benefits that support you! http://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers/why-work-here.aspx   Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.   Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer: 
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. 
 
To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $119,454 - $151,424