BROOMFIELD, Colo. — The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is searching for its next Director of the Conservation Services Division. The position is open after current director Les Owen announced he will be joining the New Mexico Department of Agriculture as Deputy Secretary.
For the past eight years, Owen provided tremendous leadership and vision on a wide range of environmental stewardship and climate resilience efforts to advance Colorado agricultural industry, including representing rancher’s perspective in wolf-reintroduction, advocating for effective federal land use policies, and advancing the integration of renewable energy in agriculture.
“The Conservation Services Division Director plays a key role at CDA and helps guide our work on policy, priorities, and programs key to CDA’s mission,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. “We hate to lose Les to New Mexico, but we will continue sending him the far superior Pueblo chiles to remember us by.”
Colorado’s next Conservation Services division director will lead critical work in climate change mitigation and resilience, including leading Colorado’s Soil Health program, biocontrol research, and overseeing the Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office (ADCRO). In addition to providing the strategic guidance and leadership for division staff, this position also works on environmental issues that advance Colorado agriculture, including federal lands, wildlife, and water quality policies.
Candidates for this position should have experience in environmental stewardship and climate change mitigation in agriculture, operational and personnel management, building collaborative partnerships, community outreach and engagement, and overseeing an organizational budget. Candidates should have an understanding of state and federal conservation policies.
This position will also work closely with other leaders at CDA, including the Agricultural Water Policy Advisor and the Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs, as well as with other state agencies and key conservation stakeholders. Experience working with diverse coalition partners is a plus.
Qualified applicants can find the full job listing and submit their information through a job posting on GovernmentJobs.com.
— Colorado Department of Agriculture
