DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

AERONAUTICS
206 S. 17th Ave
Phoenix AZ 85007

Salary: $66,500.00 - $76,500.00 
Anticipated Salary: $71,500.00

Grade: 22

Closing Date: June 4th, 2026

Direct a complex portfolio of 200–250 airport development, master planning, and land acquisition initiatives across a network of 65 regional airports. Serve as the primary fiscal authority for state grant issuance, oversee eligibility auditing, fund disbursements, and high-impact change order approvals.

Partner strategically with the FAA to resolve intricate joint-funding challenges and ensure seamless alignment between state and federal aviation accounts. Spearhead the formulation of the annual 5-year AZ Capital Improvement Project (ACIP), driving executive stakeholder communications to secure State Transportation Board approval.

Champion statewide operational excellence by leading comprehensive on-site inspections, enforcing strict regulatory compliance, and facilitating high-stakes stakeholder negotiations across Arizona.

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.

Audit and authorize critical sponsor documentation to guarantee absolute compliance and eligibility across the grant portfolio. Provide expert oversight on high-stakes instruments, including grant applications, consultant and construction contracts, and complex financial reimbursement
frameworks, effectively mitigating risk for all statewide infrastructure programs. Govern the end-to-end lifecycle of grant agreements, change orders, and amendments through strategic research and rigorous execution. Authorize critical funding instruments to ensure perfect regulatory compliance, establish absolute documentation integrity, and secure necessary executive approvals across the entire aviation infrastructure portfolio.

Evaluate and authorize complex financial reimbursement portfolios, auditing project costs to ensure rigorous adherence to multi-agency regulatory mandates. Serve as the definitive liaison to the FAA and airport sponsors, driving strategic, high-level communications to expedite funding workflows and ensure programmatic compliance. Chair high-level alignment initiatives between FAA sponsors and consultants to optimize project execution, future planning, and strict scope, budget, and schedule adherence. Simultaneously direct a complex statewide portfolio of 200–250 airport development, master planning, and land acquisition programs across 65 airports.

Spearhead strategic coordination with airport sponsors and regulatory agencies to formulate the five-year Capital Improvement Program for State Transportation Board approval. Direct the rigorous evaluation, prioritization, and technical eligibility auditing of all project submittals, serving as the final authority on documentation integrity and program readiness. Direct the strategic curation and executive presentation of Priority Planning and Advisory Committee agenda items for the Aeronautics Group. Establish rigorous evaluation frameworks to identify and advance the top 5% of high-priority capital projects, commanding the final submission process to secure State Transportation Board ratification.

Command the comprehensive financial and regulatory auditing of sponsor grants to validate absolute compliance and execute final program closure. Mitigate long-term risk by vetting all closeout documentation, reconciling remaining funding allocations, and verifying total adherence to federal and state statutory frameworks.

Knowledge of:
• Airport development program (comprehensive)
• AZ revised statutes pertaining to Grant and project activities
• State airport systems plans/objectives
• Federal Regulations pertaining to airport operations / development such as FAR Part 139 Airport certification, 150
• Airports - 107 Airport Security, 151 Grants eligibility / Administration 77 airspace
• Grant Administration techniques
• Legal definitions within State statutes and various local laws
• Government accounting practices and principals
• Project management techniques
• Conduct business meetings

Skill in:
• Proficient technical writing, oral communication, and delivering reports
• Analysis and research methods
• Administration and prioritization of duties
• Organization and time management
• Resource allocation
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing and provide excellent customer service to executive management, internal and external customers, consultants and other team members
• Expert in self-motivation, strong time and organizational management
• Project management
• Applying analytical, research, and project coordination methodologies
• Excellent interpersonal relationships.
• Proficiency use email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, contract management software systems
• Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

Ability to:
• Provide effective guidance/expertise in the development and implementation of programs & projects for group
• Review and comment on all drafts and projects as well as submit reports throughout the life of the project
• Read and assess grants and grant documents for accuracy and compliance with state and federal requirements
• Research and compile information relative to proposed legislation
• Confer with the FAA, cities, and airports regarding the impact of policies and legislation upon communities

Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning, Urban Management and Development, Aviation Management, GIS, or relevant degree.

Two (2) years experience in aviation management or other relevant related field.

Any combination of training and experience that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) may be substituted.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Valid Driver's Licence with acceptable 39 month MVR.

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

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

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

Mandatory participation in the Arizona Retirement System (ASRS) is required.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact ADOT Human Resources Recruitment via email at srecruitment@azdot.gov or phone call at (602) 712-8188 option 2.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 712-8188 option 3. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. ADOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.