DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

MISSION PARTNERS

1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $65k - $70k 

Grade: 22

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. We are looking for an Environmental Science Specialist 3 to help drive our agency towards accomplishing this mission/vision.

Our Community Engagement Professional will empower ADEQ’s programs to partner with the public and communities to understand their environmental situation and pursue solutions to meet the needs of Arizona’s communities and environment. As an Environmental Science Specialist 3 (Community Engagement Professional) one of your responsibilities is to bridge the communication between the public and our Agency, by building, planning, and nurturing relationships with local government officials, community members and stakeholders throughout Arizona. This position will serve as an agency expert on community engagement working with other Community Engagement staff to improve community understanding of environmental challenges and increase the community voice in ADEQ decisions. The Community Engagement Professional will be a liaison between Community Engagement team and staff throughout the agency and will coordinate their consultations with Community Engagement team to develop action plans for their program. The ESS3 will oversee implementation of agency-led initiatives as assigned.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements) with occasional office meetings and onsite evaluations. 

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.

• Plan, organize, facilitate and provide communication between the public and ADEQ
• Actively engage with residents, businesses and other stakeholders, providing information about ADEQ programs, regulations, and available assistance
• Serves as a primary resource for department and division-wide community engagement activities
• Assists program staff with coordinating public meetings and other community events to provide information and receive public comments
• Coordinates efforts and communicates with other internal departments and division leaders that are involved in projects, development plans or strategies that may impact the community
• Develops, oversees, and implements community engagement programs and strategies
• Assists program staff, if needed, in planning, coordinating and implementing public involvement activities and outreach
• Responsible for special assignments and projects
• Researches, develops and implements innovative public involvement techniques including online/virtual public engagement
• Ensures that ADEQ programs are responsive to community needs and that the public is well-informed about environmental regulations and resources

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• State and Federal environmental regulations
• Agency policies, processes and state/federal regulations regarding administration of Agency decisions.
• Community Engagement
• Principles and practices of community engagement and Techniques to ensure effective community engagement
• How to build consensus on complicated and complex issues
• AZ sources of pollution, best practices for preventing the release of pollutants, environmental research, investigation techniques and statistical analysis

SKILLS:

• Communicate effectively in controversial situations or on politically sensitive issues
• Critical thinking skills
• Identify connections and generate ideas for navigating complex problems
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills, organization skills and detail-oriented
• Track project progress, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables, while also coordinating with project partners

ABILITY:

• Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks and complete assignments by applicable deadlines
• Synthesize feedback and adjust plans accordingly
• Understand and interpret environmental rules and statutes
• Work both independently and in a team environment

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an environmental discipline, science discipline, Communication, Public Administration or related field. Master’s degree in related field may substitute for two years’ experience
• EES 3: 5 years or more of relevant experience in a similar or related capacity including community engagement, public relations

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

ASRS 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.