DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Address:  Water Quality Division
1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $130k-$140k 

Grade: 28

Closing Date: Open until filled

At ADEQ our mission/vision is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona. Through consistent, science-based environmental regulation; and clear, equitable engagement and communication; with integrity, respect, and the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency; because Arizonans treasure the unique environment of our state and its essential role in sustaining well-being and economic vitality, today and for future generations. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is seeking a Deputy Assistant Director to drive operational excellence, champion continuous improvement, and co-lead our Surface Water Quality Division.

Reporting directly to the Division Director, you will wield significant strategic influence—managing complex budgets, mentoring program managers, and engineering data-driven systems to protect Arizona’s unique natural resources for generations to come.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Operational Management
● Oversee division operations including budget, personnel, staff development, systems, processes, and program direction in alignment with Lean continuous improvement.

Senior Advisory & Support
● Serve as a senior leader supporting the Director through long-range strategic planning, high-level program management, and sound decision-making.

Performance & Culture Driving
● Drive employee performance, increase productivity and motivation, and foster an engaged workforce dedicated to the agency's mission.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).

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.

Systems and Process Management
● Lead the advancement and enhancement of systems and processes, prioritizing efficiency, cost control, and quality excellence.
● Build and sustain a Lean and Continuous Improvement culture.
● Teach, coach, and champion Lean principles for managers, ensuring daily application.

Strategic Budgeting
● Assist the Director with strategic budget management across revenues, expenditures, and hiring.
● Reduce division expenditures without compromising operational performance.
● Perform long-range forecasting for ongoing operational needs, such as fee adjustments and revenue drops.

Performance Management and Visual Management
● Promote effective visual management tool usage and conduct frequent Gemba walks.
● Ensure managers evaluate performance using lead and interim lag measures linked to agency goals.

Manager and Staff Development
● Mentor and coach managers in leadership, team building, and Lean principles.
● Ensure staff development through training to boost productivity, quality, and technical expertise while lowering costs.

Relationship Management
● Address legislative hearings, constituent concerns, and issues for elected officials.
● Maintain ADEQ's trusting relationships with stakeholders, the regulated community, and the public.
● Align external stakeholders and customers around shared goals and mission objectives.

Strategic Program Planning
● Assist the Director in establishing program priorities, regulatory strategies, and structure.
● Provide high-level technical and regulatory expertise to staff, supervisors, stakeholders, and the public.
● Represent the agency at public events, hearings, and meetings to promote strategic objectives.

Personnel
● Partner with managers on recruitment, hiring, retention, and disciplinary actions to build an engaged workforce.
● Document performance via appraisals and establish formal career progression plans for staff and leadership.

Knowledge
● Senior management principles, coordinating resources and people through results-driven leadership.
● Senior business management, capital budgets, delegation, employee motivation, problem-solving (5 Why/Lean/CPI), and visual management.
● Relevant federal and state laws, public record regulations, and confidentiality strategies.
● Strategic program planning and conflict resolution techniques.
● State and Department structure, Arizona Management System, and Lean methods.
● Adobe, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace software applications.

Skills
● Leadership in people, diverse environmental workforce, and division operations management.
● Strong interpersonal, external relationship, and conflict resolution capabilities.
● Data-driven decision-making, fact-gathering, and logical analysis for administrative duties.
● Effective written/verbal communication, mentoring, coaching, and training.
● Workload capacity planning, allocation, and time management.
● Customer service and stakeholder interaction across diverse audiences.
● Independent judgment with incomplete information and core metric establishment.

Abilities
● Lead division operations and align program, budget, and workforce planning with agency goals.
● Apply leadership, analysis, and water quality regulations to recommend timely solutions and ensure compliance.
● Manage program managers to ensure consistent, reliable, and timely outcomes.
● Apply Lean concepts and continuous improvement tools to maximize efficiency and customer value.
● Execute detailed tasks accurately, handle changing priorities, and work independently under tight deadlines.
● Communicate tactfully, collaborate across divisions, and build positive stakeholder relationships.
● Oversee complex regulatory activities, demonstrate sound judgment, and contribute to executive leadership.

● Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Science, Engineering, or Law. Master’s may substitute for 2 years of experience.
● 5 years of program management or strategic management experience.

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).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
· 10 paid holidays per year
· Accrual of sick and annual leave beginning at 12 and 13 days per year respectively for full-time employees
· Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
· A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
· A robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
· An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program
· We promote the importance of work/life balance by offering workplace flexibility
· We offer a variety of learning and career development 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

Arizona State Retirement System Lifetime Benefits

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting HPO@azdeq.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.