Range and Agricultural Program Manager - Conservation Lands & Resources

pimacounty; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County in the Conservation Lands & Resources department is seeking a Range and Agricultural Program Manager to administer and monitor more than 200,000 acres of rangelands and farms. This role oversees Ranch and Farm Management Agreements and monitors conditions to ensure adherence to the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and related standards.

The position provides leadership in budgeting, staffing, and external partnerships, supporting program policy, planning, and resource allocation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural resources management, ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology/wildlife management, forestry, range management, conservation biology, environmental policy or environmental studies, or a closely related field.
• Four years of experience with Pima County in a Natural Resources Program Coordinator or related position.

Responsibilities

• Develops, manages, and evaluates the overall strategic direction of the County's environmental education programs, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and long-range community environmental priorities.
• Oversees program operations, including budgeting, staffing, resource management, and performance monitoring, ensuring effective and efficient delivery of environmental education services.
• Establishes policies, standards, and operating procedures for environmental education initiatives, ensuring compliance with County requirements and applicable state and federal environmental regulations.
• Provides leadership and supervision to professional staff, coordinators, specialists, and volunteers, including hiring recommendations, training, performance evaluation, and ongoing professional development.
• Leads high-level outreach and partnership efforts, cultivating and sustaining collaborations with educational institutions, community organizations, governmental agencies, tribal entities, and private-sector partners.
• Directs the development and approval of educational materials, curricula, communications, and multimedia resources, ensuring scientific accuracy, accessibility, and consistency with best practices.
• Oversees program evaluation activities, including data collection, analysis, and reporting, and uses results to inform policy decisions and continuous program improvement.

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural resources or related field

Job description

Job Description Summary Department - Conservation Lands & Resources Job Description Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5363 - Natural Resources Program Manager

Salary Grade: 14

Pay Range

• Hiring Range: $65,457 - $78,540 Annually
• Pay Range: $65,457 - $91,644 Annually

Range Explanation:

Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

Conservation Lands & Resources (CLR) department is seeking an experienced and dedicated Range and Agricultural Program Manager to administer and monitor more than 200,000 acres of rangelands and farms within the Range and Agricultural Lands, Water, and Special Projects (RAWS) Division. This critical role is primarily responsible for the administration of Ranch and Farm Management Agreements, and monitoring rangeland conditions and properties to ensure adherence to the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, Multi-species Conservation Plan, and Rangeland Management Standards and Guidelines.

The CLR department manages over 260,000 acres of County conservation lands, including 13 active cattle ranches, iconic natural resource parks such as Tucson Mountain Park, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, and Agua Caliente Park, and a variety of open space properties. The division's resource management responsibilities provide critical leadership and solutions towards implementation of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP), one of the most ambitious conservation programs by a local government.

Essential Functions:

• Develops, manages, and evaluates the overall strategic direction of the County's environmental education programs, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and long-range community environmental priorities;
• Oversees program operations, including budgeting, staffing, resource management, and performance monitoring, ensuring effective and efficient delivery of environmental education services;
• Establishes policies, standards, and operating procedures for environmental education initiatives, ensuring compliance with County requirements and applicable state and federal environmental regulations;
• Provides leadership and supervision to professional staff, coordinators, specialists, and volunteers, including hiring recommendations, training, performance evaluation, and ongoing professional development;
• Leads high-level outreach and partnership efforts, cultivating and sustaining collaborations with educational institutions, community organizations, governmental agencies, tribal entities, and private-sector partners;
• Directs the development and approval of educational materials, curricula, communications, and multimedia resources, ensuring scientific accuracy, accessibility, and consistency with best practices;
• Oversees program evaluation activities, including data collection, analysis, and reporting, and uses results to inform policy decisions and continuous program improvement;
• Represents the department at public meetings, advisory boards, community forums, and interagency workgroups, serving as the primary spokesperson on environmental education initiatives;
• Monitors emerging environmental issues, research, legislative trends, and community needs, integrating findings into program policy, planning, and resource allocation;
• Secures and manages grants, contracts, and external funding opportunities, ensuring compliance, effective implementation, and alignment with program priorities;
• Guides the integration and strategic use of digital platforms, technologies, and communication tools to expand public engagement, improve program accessibility, and enhance educational outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources management, ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology/wildlife management, forestry, range management, conservation biology, environmental policy or environmental studies, or a closely related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND four years of experience in community outreach, engagement, or a related area. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)
• Four years of experience with Pima County in a Natural Resources Program Coordinator or related position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment INCLUDI