COTTON RESEARCH AND PROTECTION COUNCIL

Address: 3721 E WIER AVENUE
                          PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85040

Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 

Grade: 07

Closing Date: Open until business needs are met (first review of resumes June 1, 2026)

The Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council (ACRPC) invites applicants to apply for the Executive Director position. The Director is responsible for administering the activities of the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council and shall be accountable to the Council for such activities.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

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.

• Establishing and conducting all program activities and Council operations as authorized by the Council. Develop new programs for recommendation to the Council that fit industry needs when circumstances require.
• Oversee the preparation and implementation of financially sound budgets to most effectively fund programs and other activities authorized by the Council.
• Under Council direction, plan, organize and coordinate ACRPC statutorily authorized quarterly public meetings, or as needed.
• Coordinate the collection of bale assessment fees to fund ACRPC activities.
• Develop and direct, with Council approval, the establishment and implementation of cooperative agreements, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding and other legal mechanisms for cooperative contracting programs of benefitting Arizona Cotton Growers and associated parties.
• In accordance with statutory authority, with staff and scientific support, develop, direct and coordinate the implementation of a program for production and marketing of aflatoxin mitigating products to a variety of grower cooperators and distributors.
• Through a well-defined organizational structure, implements and directs the activities of the Council’s field staff including, but not limited to pest control, eradication and monitoring programs, plowdown field inspection, cotton seed breeding, and other program activities related to cotton or aflatoxin.
• Oversee, with staff assistance, operations related to legal or statutory requirements pertaining to the Council as a state agency including but not limited to audits, rule review, sunset review, grower referenda, procurement and employment statutory requirements, lien collections, etc.
• Oversee Council funds in a fiscally responsible way to ensure adequate cost support for authorized program activities including adequate positive carryover balance from one fiscal year to the next.
     - It is contemplated that the Director shall be authorized to spend up to $25,000 in emergency funding over and above the current fiscal budget without prior authorization by the Council, subject to ratification at the next Council meeting.
     - It is further contemplated that the Director shall be authorized to spend up to $10,000 above each budgeted category for non-emergency needs, without prior authorization by the Council, subject to ratification at the next Council meeting.
• Direct the agency’s disbursement of research and grant funding in a scientifically and fiscally sound manner, in accordance with the Council’s stated purposes.
• Ensures through staff that all procurement rules and guidelines are adequately addressed, including procurement, repair and maintenance of Council fleet, and surplus disposition of vehicles.
• Direct the agency’s cooperative activities with the Arizona Department of Agriculture relating to cotton plowdown rules and regulations.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of educational and informational presentations to private, state and federal cooperators in a variety of program settings. Such presentations shall be made available to the Council prior to dissemination.
• Director shall be responsible for the following reporting obligations:
     - Oversees, or prepares and delivers, reports to grower constituents including detailed analysis and evaluation of programs, on a monthly basis, or as directed by the Council;
     - Prepares and delivers reports to the Council regarding production, sales by state, inventory, and plant function associated with the aflatoxin program, on a monthly basis, or as directed by the Council;
     - Prepares and delivers reports to the Council regarding matters that will require Council approval or action no less than two weeks prior to scheduled Council meetings. If such notice is not possible, it should be given as soon as practicable;
     - Prepares and delivers reports to the Council regarding progress and compliance of plowdown requirements. Such reports shall be produced by zone approximately every two weeks, starting at the first plowdown deadline and continuing until all fields are in compliance;
     - Unless otherwise delegated by the Director to human resources personnel, prepares and delivers reports to the Council regarding any pending personnel issues or concerns as they arise.
• Provide leadership oversight and accountability of employees in accordance with positions established and approved by Council. It is contemplated that the Director shall have authority to make changes to the operational policies and procedures applicable to the Council, subject to consultation and approval of the Executive Committee, and subsequent ratification of the Council.
• Oversee performance management of ACRPC employees including supervision, compensation, hiring, coaching, counseling, feedback, and discipline, in consultation with human resources personnel as necessary, subject to consultation and approval of the Executive Committee, and subsequent ratification of the Council.
• The Director will be expected to handle the day-to-day operations of the Council according to Council policy and direction without real-time oversight of the Council. The preferred candidate must have proven experience demonstrating the exercise of good judgment in management of staff and business objectives, within the restrictions applicable to a state agency.

Knowledge of:
• Arizona statutes, rules and regulations as they pertain to Council and related activities.
• Basic budgetary and accounting principles.
• Basic operational and personnel management principles.

Skills in:
• Negotiation.
• Dealing with personnel on a level that builds trust, confidence and team work.

Ability to:
• Multitask and correspondingly establish clearly defined priorities.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, including writing reports, documents, and other
• Correspondence in a clear and concise manner.
• Analyze complex situations and to recommend well-defined solutions or courses of action.
• Build consensus and team work ethic and to manage internal conflict decisively
• Prioritize daily workload
• See the big picture and avoid externalities which will distract from or minimize main objectives at hand
• Build subordinates confidence by guiding them to develop skills and decision making abilities as opposed to micromanagement
• Plan ahead despite dealing with an ever changing set of contingencies.
• React to changing fiscal parameters to maintain positive budgetary outcomes.

Agricultural experience of 5 years Minimum of 3 years as a manager or supervisor managing subordinates. Any combination of training and experience that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) may be substituted.

It is preferred, but not required, that the Director is knowledgeable of basic principles of cotton crop production, entomology, agronomy, weed science, plant pathology, and pest control as these disciplines relate to cotton and related crop systems. Expertise in handling complex biological and technical issues related to diverse Council activities is preferred.

State travel is required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-I0-207.12.) AND having an acceptable driving record for the last 39 months is required including no DUI, suspensions, or revocations and less than 8 points on your license. A copy of your MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) is required at the time of your interview if an Out of State Driver's License was held within the last 39 months.

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). Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

The Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council offer a comprehensive benefits package to include:
-Affordable Health, Dental, Vision, and Life and Disability Insurance
-10 holidays per year
-Paid Vacation and Sick time off - start earning it on your 1st day
-Eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
-Contribute to, and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System
-Ride Share and Public Transit Subsidy
-Career Advancement Opportunities

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.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State-sponsored retirement contribution plan, and the Long-term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS-defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

For questions about this career opportunity, please call Bernetta Johnson at 602-438-0059 ext. 3 or email bjohnson@azcotton.org.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-438-0059 ext. 3. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.