Utah Pollinator Program Manager

About the job

Full time Program Manager for the Utah Pollinator Program. This is an "Exempt" position that will be managing a statewide program focused on the establishment of pollinator habitat throughout the state, with the hopes of increasing the number of native pollinators found in rural and urban areas. The applicant will be expected to promote the pollinator habitat program, and present at various venues to educate agricultural producers, homeowners, and partners about the program. The applicant will oversee the continuation and development of a statewide grant program. This will is a competitive grant, and may award native plants, or develop a seed cost share program to help agricultural producers implement large scale pollinator projects on their operations. This individual will track and report on all projects that are implemented. This position will be housed at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and the applicant should have experience working in the agricultural community. This individual will also conduct outreach across the state focused on the importance of pollinators, and what the public can do to establish habitat for these native pollinator species. 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. Responsibilities: Oversee the management of the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program: Solicit applications and opportunities for pollinator habitat projects and partnerships Work with the Pollinator Steering Committee to refine project proposals, identify areas for program improvement, and develop annual ranking criteria for existing grants. Develop contracts for all grant recipients, and oversee reporting for the projects that are implemented. Monitor, assess, and report on program efficiency and grant successes Conduct outreach throughout the state focused on the importance of native pollinators, and educating the public about their role in establishing habitat. Develop and cultivate partnerships with state, federal, and local agencies, as well as private landowners and nonprofit organizations for all aspects of the program, including native plant materials development and project collaboration. Develop and adhere to a statewide strategic pollinator management plan with the Pollinator Steering Committee. This plan should guide programmatic decisions, and ultimately help strategically identify best practices and locations where these projects would be most effective. Apply for grants that can help supplement existing funding for the Pollinator Habitat Program. Manage the TSOB Pollinator Demonstration Garden: a 7,500 sqft meadow-scape of native plants located inside the Taylorsville office building complex. To include weeding, irrigation, planting, and other seasonal maintenance along with volunteer group organization. This garden is used for seed collection, planting demonstrations, and as educational outreach. Seed collection and sourcing: you will occasionally be required to source and solicit seeds for program development.