To All Watersheds and Consultants,

This is to inform you and remind you of the FY 2025 WD funding to rehab existing flood control dams.

We encourage Watershed Districts and/or their consultants to submit complete state cost-share assistance applications to rehabilitate existing dams, on or before June 30, 2024.

If your watershed district desires to pursue requesting state cost-share assistance (FY 2025), then the district and/or the consultant should:

• Submit cost-share application(s),

• Pursue getting DWR’s approval.

• Make sure the structures in question have adequate maintenance; plugged inlets and or trees on the berm/slopes may result in lower funding priority ranking.

As always, if I can be of any assistance, please call or email me.

Hakim Saadi, P.E.

Division of Conservation

(785) 307-9161

Executive Director – State Association of Kansas Watersheds

Salary: Pay negotiable based on experience.

Job Type: Part Time – 90 hours per month – Could become full time with additional funding.

Location: Applicant must reside in the State of Kansas or be willing to relocate.

Office Location and Travel: The State Association of Kansas Watersheds does not have a main office. Interested candidates must be able to work from home. Storage of SAKW office equipment, field equipment and documents will be at the candidate’s home office. Travel is required with some overnight and out of state trips.

Benefits: Mileage reimbursement. Other reimbursements as approved by the board of directors.

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until position is filled.

Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be negotiated between the candidate and the board of directors.

Position Overview: This is a part-time position working for the State Association of Kansas Watersheds Board of Directors in partnership with member watershed districts. Other state and federal partners include the KWO, KWA, NRCS, USACE, KDA (DOC and DWR), KDHE and numerous other federal, state, and local conservation partners to promote and grow watershed districts in the state of Kansas. This position includes building/maintaining partnerships, ensuring communications and coordination between partners, overseeing and administering grant and other program funding, advising districts on watershed projects, working with districts to ensure proper operation and maintenance projects are completed, develop and implement outreach programs and strategies to promote Kansas Watershed Districts, and working with partners in and out of state to ensure Kansas is a leader in the watershed programs.

Duties and Expectations: Fund and budget management. Manage the SAKW’s budget with direction of the board of directors. This includes seeking out new funding sources and grants to further promote and grow the states watershed program.

Partnerships and Development: Maintain current partnerships while seeking new partners with common goals and developing relationships with these partners. Specifically seeking partners that are interested in investing in the SAKW and the 74 established watershed districts in the State of Kansas. Organize, schedule, and manage partnership meetings. Maintain working relationships with all member watershed districts, while seeking to reenlist non-member watershed districts to the association.

Point of Contact: The executive director would act as the point of contact for all SAKW activities including but not limited to bi-monthly board meetings, yearly annual meeting, legislative activities, watershed district activities and all partner organizations.

Grant Writing and Management: Seek grant and foundation opportunities that align with the SAKW goals and objectives, apply for funding, and administer awarded funding with oversight from the board of directors. Work with partner organizations to secure and track progress of current grant funding. Write performance reports and share with the board of directors, partners, and local watershed districts.

Outreach: Plan and lead opportunities for program exposure and growth in the state of Kansas. Work with other federal, state, and local program managers to promote and grow the states 74 watershed districts. Activities included but not limited to local watershed district tours, participation in local watershed district board meetings, dam watch program overview and training, participate in local regional advisory committee meetings, legislative updates, watershed district administration workshops, operation and maintenance and dam safety workshops, section 404 of CWA workshops and the SAKW website. Developing and using social media platforms to promote the SAKW and member districts.

Legislative Responsibilities: The position requires a great deal of communication and outreach to all state and federal legislators. Register annually as a state lobbyist, introduce sponsored legislation through State Representatives and/or Senators, testify on introduced legislation, and schedule visits with state and federal legislators.

Qualifications: The SAKW Board of Directors is looking for a candidate with an education in or extensive background in conservation practices, water resources, biology, engineering, agriculture, or other closely related fields of study. The board will closely evaluate each candidate’s educational background and work experiences during the hiring process.

Expected Experience and Skills Include:

Planning, budget management, program evaluations and report writing.

Project coordination and execution.

Strong coordination, facilitation, team building and a collaborative approach.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong background in conservation practices that include flood and sediment control.

Substantial computer and technology skills.

Ability to negotiate agreements with partners and coordinate projects.

Supervisory and/or leadership experience.

Budget management with grant writing experience.

To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:

Marisa M. Johnson

SAKW Executive Secretary

1509 Canterbury Dr.

Hays, KS 67601

Email: executive.secretary@sakw.org

For Questions: Contact: Jeremiah Hobbs, President at jhobbs@sakw.org or 785-222-6180 Barb Oltjen, Vice-President, at boltjen@sakw.org or 785-741-0162

Agency Information: Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full/Part-time: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Days

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

Annual Salary Range: $50,000 to $60,000 per year

Hourly Pay Range: $24.04 to $28.85 per year

* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

This position will remain posted until filled.

Location: KDA Headquarters, Manhattan, Kansas

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Provides information and technical assistance regarding watershed dam construction / rehabilitation, multipurpose small lakes and water supply restoration programs. Confers with project designers regarding statutory and regulatory requirements and provides recommendations for the development of general plans and their amendments, permit applications and review requirements.

Implements a cost-share financial assistance process which includes administering funding agreements to landowners. Conducts site visits to assist structure landowners and engineering designers. Analyzes requests for structure construction and rehabilitation to ensure compliance with all required permitting and public notification procedures.

Consults with staff and coordinates watershed program issues with federal, state and local agencies, NGOs and partnering entities regarding watershed health, flood control, erosion reduction. Develops comprehensive management plan strategies with multi-dimensional subjects such as grasslands preservation, riparian & wetland management, soil health improvement, water quality protection and water conservation into the agency watershed program.

Serves as a source of expertise on watershed health. Provides other duties as assigned, and promotes public health, safety and welfare in all related task undertakings.

** This position has the opportunity to telework per guidelines of the Telework Policy of the Kansas Department of Agriculture KDA after one year of service.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, agriculture or related field.

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with diverse groups of partners (e.g. state agencies, federal agencies and other operating groups).

Must have good public speaking, written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent organizational skills with knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Must be able to conduct field evaluations which involves traversing steep grades and carrying equipment in various climatic conditions.

Ability to travel for short periods, including overnight may be required.

Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Preferred Requirements (Not Required):

Experience with water resource and dam safety issues preferred.

Knowledge of Kansas water law and water rights preferred.

Recruiter Contact Information:

Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite

Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov

Phone: (785) 564-6713

Fax: (785) 564-6777

Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Inside your Job Application, upload these documents:

Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)

Cover Letter

Job Application Process

Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.

Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.

Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.

Complete and submit your application.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.

Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

Instructions:

Job Search

Registration & User Account

Application

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

Governor's Water Conference—November 13-14, 2024 in Manhattan, Kansas

80th Annual KACD Convention—November 24-26, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas

SAKW 74th Annual Meeting—Tuesday and Wednesday, January 28-29, 2025, at the Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, Kansas