LAND DEPARTMENT

1110 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Assignment requires daily travel throughout southern Arizona

Salary: $82,000 - $92,000 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open until business needs are met

The Land Resources Section applies land resource management and conservation practices which contribute to the effective maintenance, protection and enhancement of the Trust Land portfolio. Under the guidance of the Natural Resources Division Assistant Director, the Land Resources Section Manager is responsible for overseeing all facets of the processes involved in rangeland management and agricultural leasing, encompassing more than 8 million acres of State Trust Land. The Section Manager supervises the Land Resource leasing specialists. The incumbent will coordinate all facets of agriculture and range-related agency services; and inter-agency projects involving range health, fuels reduction and mitigation and watershed protections. The Manager will ensure developing and updating programmatic workflows and standard work for the section; and regularly update policies as appropriate

This position will work remotely from an assigned duty location and region within southern Arizona. The assigned location may be negotiable, but will be dependent on 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 anytime at its discretion.

• Regularly complete both office and field work required for this position; Plan and process improvement and land treatment applications with Lessees and partners within assigned area; Evaluate projects from other agencies and Sections within the Department; Conduct inspections of State Trust land and leases; Address customer and constituent issues in a timely and efficient manner.
• Direct the daily operations of the grazing and agricultural leasing program, prioritizing projects based on timing and importance to the Trust; Supervise and direct staff efforts and performance, including reviewing work products and ensuring productivity goals are reached; Review and revise permit and lease documents as appropriate.
• Review, evaluate, oversee and process new and renewal lease applications, applications to place improvements, lease assignment applications, sublease applications, and other pertinent actions that occur in relationship to range and agricultural leases.
• Apply and positively model the principles, theories, and concepts of the Arizona Management System; identifying meaningful group metrics and adjusting as necessary; leading all continuous improvement activities with courage and humility (i.e. weekly group huddles, huddle board updates, problem solving sessions; employee 1:1 coaching sessions); successfully adheres to standard work procedures and leader standard work protocols.
• Coordinate and attend meetings Land Resource section lessees/applicants, agency staff and other external agencies and organizations.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of rangeland, watershed, wildlife, agriculture and natural resource management.
- Arizona ecology and rangeland management, including plant ID, livestock production and management, and habitat management.
- Arizona Enabling Act, Arizona Constitution, Arizona State Land Code (Title 37-Arizona Revised Statutes), Arizona Administrative Rules and Regulations, United States Code and Code of Federal Regulations that pertain to State Trust land, wildlife, protected plants, archaeology, national forests, public land, endangered species, waters of the United States, border protection, forestry, prescribed fire, wildfire suppression.
- A comprehensive knowledge of state statutes, rules, and policies governing all types of agriculture development on state land.
- Agricultural production systems used in Arizona - this includes the production of cotton, alfalfa and vegetables.
- An understanding of state personnel rules and procedures.
- All facets of State Land Department programs, policies and procedures, laws and regulations.
- State government including the roles and responsibilities of agencies such as the Attorney General's office, Department of Environmental Quality, and ADOA Risk Management.
- Advanced office equipment including computers, office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Salesforce database), copiers/printers, GIS/GPS use.

Skilled In:
- Training and managing employees to assist them in performing to their maximum potential.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with natural resources professionals in various levels of government, grazing and agriculture lessees and the public.
- Identifying crop, plant, vegetation, wildlife and breeds of livestock as it pertains to managing State Land across Arizona.
- Locating geographic features, range improvements, property boundaries, livestock in the field, navigating to and from remote locations.
- Traveling and working in the field under adverse weather conditions and also provide advanced logistics planning.
- Maintaining professional relationships developed with lessees, permittees, other agency personnel, coworkers and the general public.
- Organizing and coordinating field activities.
- Using Salesforce and other similar databases to administer and track applications/projects and track staff productivity and quality of work.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) - needed to compose letters, memos, spreadsheets, graphs/tables of information.
- Maintaining interpersonal relationships developed with lessees, permittees, other agency personnel, farm workers, coworkers and the general public.
- Customer service and communicating with constituents regularly.

Ability To:
- To learn, troubleshoot, and teach the use of Agency software to staff, including ArcGIS, Salesforce, Google Suite, and MS Office.
- Supervise employees with fairness and accountability.
- Plan, organize and accomplish the activities in a work plan.
- Interpret, analyze and evaluate field data and information to make independent decisions and judgments, and the ability to evaluate the decisions of direct reports.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
- Apply procedures used in rangeland management and agriculture to measure vegetative attributes such as cover, frequency, density, production and composition.
- Operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
- Resolve conflicts with and between lessees of the Department, the public, and subordinate employees.
- Read topographic maps and make/ record observations during field inspections.
- Plan and organize activities throughout the State, including meetings, field inspections, and workshops.
- Identify and implement developmental needs and opportunities for employees.
- Regularly work in remote areas of the state, under harsh environmental conditions.
- Communicate effectively and efficiently with members of the public, local governments, law enforcement jurisdictions, customers, and other sections and Divisions within the Department.

• Bachelor's Degree in Rangeland Management, Agriculture, or Natural Resources related discipline, or any combination of training and experience that meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs); may include, but are not limited to, a relevant degree from an accredited college or university, coursework, and work experience relevant to assignment.

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

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).

• 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.