DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

Address:  Hybrid - 1110 W. Washington St. Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $65,000 - $95,000

 Grade: 27

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how you are suited to the role

The Active Management Areas (AMAs) Section of ADWR is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented manager to lead multiple AMA teams and to provide support to the AMA Director.

This person will have direct responsibility for multiple supervisors overseeing teams of professional staff, will support staff development, provide accountability on timelines, and serve as a resource for the broader AMA team. The AMA section is responsible for the implementation of the requirements for existing AMAs and INAs and developing the regulatory structures necessary for newly regulated areas, including the regulatory management plans, groundwater rights management and reporting, grants management, compliance, and the coordination of advisory councils and public stakeholder processes. Qualified applicants will need to think clearly about how a given detail may fit into the bigger picture of multiple overlapping processes and timelines.

This position will provide direct support to the AMA Director and will work closely with agency leadership on policy issues and will represent ADWR at public meetings and outside events that may include elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and various water users. These meetings may include potentially sensitive or contentious discussions.

The individual in this position must have or develop a comprehensive understanding of applicable laws, rules, statutes, policies, and procedures pertinent to AMA and INA activities, including but not limited to, knowledge of the Groundwater Code, AMA requirements and management plans programs, INA requirements, the Recharge and Recovery Program, the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs, Wells and Permitting requirements, surface water law, and general Colorado River requirements.

The ideal candidate will be an analytic, detail-oriented person, who is able to think critically and analytically about short and long-term natural resource issues in order to make recommendations that are both practical and consistent with statutory requirements and agency priorities. The candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, will have a passion for learning and teaching, will have excellent writing and speaking skills, and will be able to manage multiple concurrent timelines and processes.

A hybrid work schedule (some work in the office and some work from home) is available for this position. Occasional overnight travel will be required, typically no more than once per month and often less than that.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Coordinate with the Active Management Area Director and with other staff on policy and compliance issues
• Provide direct supervision, support, and training to program supervisors; including prioritization, staff development and support
• Support and guide priorities and policies regarding annual reporting processes, data collection processes, and groundwater rights processes
• Support groundwater rights management, grants management, and public meetings processes Provide guidance on potential process improvements regarding AMA annual reports and data collection processes, groundwater rights management processes, and grants management processes.
• Represent ADWR at public meetings and conferences
• Support data sharing and transparency initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Water supplies and their respective regulatory frameworks in Arizona, including groundwater, surface water, Colorado River water, and effluent
• State of Arizona water resource statutes, rules, policies, procedures, and programs, including the Groundwater Management Act, Active Management Areas, Management Plans, Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program, and Recharge and Recovery Program
• Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment
• Records management strategies for research, data, and spatial files

Skills in:

• Supervising, managing, and training professional level staff
• Using Excel, Access, and other software to organize, analyze and interpret water resources management data
• Public speaking, including publicly presenting complex material to diverse audiences
• Researching, reading, analyzing, and interpreting water resource management and related documents
• Communicating clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing
• Preparing and editing written reports
• Customer service
• Organization and maintenance of research, spreadsheets, databases, and spatial files
• Use of Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Ability to:

•  Develop and manage project timelines
• Develop a collaborative staff culture and a productive team dynamic
• Encourage the development of new and innovative ideas and approaches
• Manage and prioritize numerous projects simultaneously and work well under pressure
• Analyze a situation, identify the problem area(s), propose solutions, and assist in the implementation of those solutions
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary department and external staff with backgrounds in diverse disciplines
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including agency staff, government officials, leaders in the regulated community, and the public   
• Communicate complex technical information in a concise, understandable manner
• Understand and effectively communicate complex statutes and Department rules, policies, and procedures, orally and in writing.

Experience required:

• Ten (10) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field and eight (8) years of professional level water resources management experience; OR
• Master’s degree or higher in a related field and six (6) years of professional level water resources management experience; OR
• Doctorate in a related field and four (4) years of professional level water resource management experience.
• Two (2) years supervisory/management experience.
• Preference for water resources experience, natural resources management experience, data analysis experience, and/or project management experience.
• Experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of specific water resource management experience.
  

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.  

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
  

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment. The current contribution rate is 12.29%.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.