Commissioner of Agriculture

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Disability insurance (STD/ LTD)

Life and AD&D Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Holidays (11) and leave

Job summary

The Commissioner of Agriculture leads the Colorado Department of Agriculture, reporting to the Governor and serving on the Governor’s Cabinet. This is the chief executive role responsible for strategy, regulation, and advocacy to support Colorado’s agricultural economy and food safety.

We seek a proven leader with deep experience in public administration, budget management, and stakeholder engagement. The position requires residency in Colorado and a track record of building high‑performing

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience leading or managing agricultural, food safety, commodity, or producer programs.
• Five or more years of professional executive management experience, including establishing goals and objectives and developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests.
• A track record of building and leading high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations and programs in alignment with department goals and stakeholder expectations.
• Direct the department’s budget and ensure resources are used effectively.
• Build and cultivate a high-performing team through leadership and development of direct reports.
• Direct the divisions of administrative services, plant industry, animal health, animal welfare, markets, and inspection and consumer services.
• Provide budgeting, purchasing, and planning support for state authorities and related divisions.

Skills

Executive leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advocacy

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, natural resources, public administration, business, law, or related field

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Who We Are

Colorado Governor-elect Phil Weiser is committed to an administration that represents all of Colorado, and serves and protects every Coloradan. Governor-elect Weiser and his team will lead State government to ensure that we serve the people of Colorado, working to make their lives better, and together, we meet opportunities and challenges with creativity, collaboration, and compassion. His commitment to serve as the People’s Governor means that he and his team will have a sustained focus on how to make Colorado safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and a great place to live, build a business, and raise a family.

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. We are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, acting with integrity, and operating transparently; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about improving the lives of the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to solve problems creatively and operate with a continuous improvement mindset; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other as a team and collaborate effectively.

Department Information

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) exists to strengthen and advance Colorado agriculture. The department promotes a safe and high-quality food supply, protects consumers, and fosters responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources.

CDA envisions a Colorado agriculture that is strong and vibrant and recognized worldwide for its safe and abundant supply of high-quality food and agricultural products. The department sees agriculture as a key driver of the state’s economy.

Under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the department serves Coloradans through divisions covering animal health, animal welfare, markets, plant industry, and inspection and consumer services, among others.

Department

Office of the Governor; Department of Agriculture

Position Title

Commissioner of Agriculture

Summary of Functions

The Commissioner of Agriculture is the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and part of the Governor’s Cabinet. The Commissioner oversees the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the department and is accountable for the consistent achievement of its mission and objectives. The role strengthens and regulates Colorado agriculture so that producers can compete, consumers are protected, and the state’s food supply is safe. The Commissioner supports a viable and vital agricultural industry through a balance of service, regulation, and advocacy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the department’s operations and direct the implementation of its services, policies, and programs in alignment with department goals, the Governor’s initiatives, and the expectations of stakeholders
• Direct and oversee the department’s budget with fiscal management that operates within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintains a positive financial position
• Build and cultivate a high-performing team through effective leadership focused on recruiting and retaining top talent and providing guidance, coaching, and development to direct reports
• Direct the divisions of administrative services, plant industry, animal health, animal welfare, markets, and inspection and consumer services
• Provide budgeting, purchasing, and planning support for the Colorado State Fair Authority and the brand inspection division
• Run programs to support local food systems and coordinate statewide food security with state, local, and federal agencies, Tribes, nonprofits, and research institutions
• Administer the Colorado agricultural workforce services program
• Ensure efficient and effective regulation of animal health, plant industry, and inspection and consumer services
• Serve as the state’s principal voice on agricultural policy, drought, and resilience and advise the Governor and the General Assembly on the needs of Colorado agriculture
• Collaborate with the associations and local agencies, including the Farm Bureau, livestock associations, organic and beginning farmer associations, water conservancy districts, Tribal agricultural interests, the National Western Center, and the FFA and 4-H Council
• Brief the Governor’s Office on all relevant policy issues arising from state and federal legislative activities
• Build a good relationship with the legislature and serve as the point person for directing the department’s response to proposed legislation that may affect its operations

Organizational Relationships

The State Agricultural Commission; Department of Natural Resources on water and land; Department of Public Health & Environment on food safety; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Director of Rural Advancement; Chief Resilience Officer; and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade on economic development overlaps such as the Markets Division and the Wine Board

Preferred Education/Experience

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in agriculture, natural resources, public administration, business, law, or a related field
• Five or more years of experience leading or managing agricultural, food safety, commodity, or producer programs
• Five or more years of professional executive management experience, including establishing goals and objectives and developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives
• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests
• A track record of building and leading high-performing teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated standing with producers, agricultural cooperatives, and commodity organizations
• Experience in water rights administration, drought response, and agricultural resilience
• Demonstrated ability to regulate and to advocate for the same industry without compromising either function
• Experience engaging rural communities and their representatives in the making of state policy

Conditions of employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

ADAAA Requests

The State of Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our office will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment,