LAND DEPARTMENT

1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $110,000 - $120,000 

Grade: 26

Closing Date: Open until business needs are met

This position serves as a critical member of the agency leadership team, responsible for working with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in making policy decisions: administrative, programmatic and procedural. This position will be tasked with developing an in-depth understanding of the governing documents related to a variety of land related topics. Responsible for keeping up with changes in laws and recognizing their impact on all land related procedures, they will draft, facilitate negotiation, and examine contracts or other legal documents and prepare formal comments, making recommendations with respect to all land related processes as necessary. In addition to providing counsel, they will provide guidance on proposed federal actions, and input on other land issues. May propose changes in existing or proposed laws or wording that would make them practicable.

Responds to inquiries requesting legal input or Attorney General assistance from the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Leadership team.
This position will also evaluate and resolve sensitive files and issues, make recommendations of all sale and lease transactions and perform complex analysis of economic, political and environmental acts on the various land transactions. Responsible for all aspects of sales and commercial leasing programs to include impact, development, maximizing monetary return, management plans and recommendations to the State Land Commissioner. The incumbent interacts with the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner on a regular basis and is responsible for the protection of land values, revenue production, creation and maintenance of legal documents related to Agency business.

Upon successful completion of the required training and probationary period, this position may offer the ability to work a hybrid remote work schedule, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

• Facilitates the negotiation of all sales and commercial leases. Supervises the processing, review, analysis and recommendation on sales and commercial leasing proposals. Provide ongoing maintenance of existing leases, assignments and partial assignments.
• Perform research and provide analysis and advice to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Leadership Team on various land administrative issues. Advise all final decisions on administrative law judge recommendations.
• Evaluation, review and refinement of rules, regulations, laws, policies relating to Land protection so as to make them practicable and effective. Review of Department reports, correspondence, contract awards, project proposals tor accuracy and legal sufficiency.
• Coordinate the legal needs with the Office of the Attorney General to assure timely and effective resolution of all legal matters.
• Prepare legal documents necessary to carry forward the agency's compliance and enforcement efforts.
• Makes project assignments to section staff and assures the effective completion of projects. Supervise and implement programs and functions through subordinate staff.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:
-Principles and practices of commercial real estate sales and leasing analysis and disposition.
-Real estate values and uses, principles and practices of land use planning and management and applicable laws, rules and regulations.
-Construction, evaluation and execution of leases, easements and sales contracts.
-Current local, State and Federal laws, rules, regulations and administrative policies and procedures as they relate to State Trust land.
-Laws, rules, policies, procedures and principles affecting administrative/public hearings.
-Agency objectives, policies and procedures.
-State government, including legislative, executive, and policy and rule-making processes.
-Management techniques and organizational processes.
-People and program management
-Delegation Agreement adoption and Implementation processes.
-Procurement laws and policies.
-Attorney General's Office organization and operations.
-Methods, techniques, and principles for writing briefs, opinions, reports and other legal documents.

Skilled In:
-Verbal communication to clearly and effectively in one-on-one and group settings, speak with tact and diplomacy.
-Speaking and writing clearly and concisely in letters, reports, correspondence, and speeches.
-Analytical processing.
-Formulating and identifying effective solutions to problems.
-Project and time management
-Comprehensive negotiation
-Effective application of the laws, regulations, and other knowledge required of the position.

Ability To:
-Solve complex land management problems, and make policy decisions (administrative, programmatic and procedural.)
-Analyze and judge the highest and the best use of trust lands.
-Present to the Legislature the Department's difficulties with particular proposed legislation or existing laws.
-Propose changes in existing or proposed laws or wording that would make them practicable.
-Respond to inquiries requesting legal Input or Attorney General assistance from the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or Leadership Team.
-Make decisions on significant enforcement actions and other litigation matters.
-Negotiate delegation agreements, intergovernmental agreements with political subdivisions and other state agencies.
-Manage the policy adoption process, determine legal sufficiency and acceptable formatting for adoption.
-Management and supervision techniques involving subordinate staff.
-Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of governmental and business officials, community leaders, and the public.
-Make policy decisions concerning environmental and tribal outreach efforts.

• Experience with commercial real estate law, including purchase and sale transactions, leasing, financing, land use, community association law, and development agreements.

• Law Degree (J.D. U.B, or LLM.) License to practice law In the State of Arizona.

• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete required driver training. (refer to Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.) Driver’s License Requirements.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable health insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

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

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).
Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

If you have trouble applying for this position, please email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov for assistance.
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting ASLD Human Resources at 602-542-2629. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.