Active Management Area Director, Operations

Job Location:

Address:Hybrid - 1110 W. Washington St. Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $80,000-$100,000

Grade: 27

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how you are suited to the role

Job Summary:

The Active Management Area Section is responsible for water rights administration, water use reporting, data management and analysis, water resource planning, and grant funding for the Active Management Areas (AMAs) and Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs) statewide. The section provides technical support to municipal, industrial, and agricultural water users, to the Groundwater Users Advisory Councils (GUACs) of the AMAs, and to the executive team, and other sections within the agency.

The AMA Director - Operations is responsible for the management and oversight of the several of the Departments planning, policy, and regulatory programs for the management of the states water supplies, and collaborates closely with the AMA Director - Policy and Analytics to develop and achieve strategic goals and objectives for the Section.

Assists in the review and development of policy and compliance actions, interacting with the Director and executive staff. Responsible for the management and training of staff regarding procedures/techniques to be used, quality of results expected and projected timelines, goals, and objectives; provides technical guidance and oversight; and ensures all relevant statutes, rules, policies, and procedures are followed. Represents the Department in internal and external meetings.

Participates in complex interdepartmental projects that require multi-disciplinary expertise and drafting and reviewing written letters and written and oral reports. This includes investigating and resolving water resource management issues of a complex, sensitive, and visible nature and preparation of reports with recommendations that may impact multiple water resource management program areas.

The individual in this role must think critically about short and long-term natural resource issues in order to make recommendations that are both practical and consistent with statutory requirements and agency priorities. They must thrive in a dynamic environment, have a passion for learning and teaching, possess excellent writing and speaking skills. and effectively manage many concurrent timelines and processes.

The successful candidate will have a high degree of managerial experience and the ability to foster an environment in which diverse professionals work collaboratively to achieve strategic goals. Preferably, they will have a background in water policy, planning, and regulation, but much will necessarily be learned on the job. The candidate should have the ability to build effective working relationships with leadership and staff throughout the agency. They should demonstrate careful judgment and tact and should communicate and effectively engage with representatives from government, staff of all levels, senior representatives from industry, and the community.

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 States 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.

Job Duties:

Manage, train, and mentor supervisors and professional level staff on: procedures and techniques to be used, the quality and timeliness of work expected, licensing and time frame requirements, setting goals and objectives, and prioritizing multiple simultaneous projects

Guide staff recruitment, selection, appraisal, and coaching

Represent the division in projects that require multi-disciplinary expertise, including investigating and resolving potentially sensitive and highly visible water resource management issues

Oversee and guide the analysis of water use data and development of water budgets, the annual water use reporting processes, and the development of compliance investigations and enforcement actions

Represent the State of Arizona in discussions with the federal government and other entities (state agencies, municipal corporations, authorities, other political subdivisions, private entities, and tribal partners, other states).

Coordinate with senior staff, leadership, and the Director on policy and compliance issues; advocate and enforce state groundwater laws, rules, and policies.

Responsible for keeping the agencys executive level staff informed of issues and potential problems and opportunities and recommending action to be taken, as well as facilitating, evaluating, planning, and recommending policy and positions and integrating those with the goals and policies of the programs overseen.

Draft, review, and provide guidance on a variety of documents, including briefing papers, technical reports and regulatory documents, and presentations. Participate in development of the agencys annual strategic plan and ensure metrics and section management reports are submitted.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Supervisory, training, and management techniques

Public policy management and practice

Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment.

Roles and relationships of state policy making and implementation process

Information sources, research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management

Quality control measures for technical reports, data management, and regulatory compliance

Information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management

Skills in:

Supervision, management, and mentoring of supervisors and professional level staff

Handling administrative issues; resolving conflicts in a positive and constructive manner

Clear, well-organized, and convincing, oral, written, and visual communication

Problem identification and analysis and process improvement

Applying multi-disciplinary approach to identify, analyze, and resolve complex, sensitive, visible water resources management issues

Researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical documents

Project management, effectively managing workload, deadlines, and priorities

Researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical

documents

Data analysis and management, including compiling, organizing, and evaluating water resource datasets

Interacting with members of the regulated community, requiring careful exercise of independent judgment in cases that may lead to enforcement action

Working well within a team environment, including establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within ADWR, and with other governmental entities, and the private and public sector

Ability to:

Lead and mentor professional staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and innovation

Develop and adapt policies, procedures, and rules to improve program implementation and address evolving water resource challenges, consistent with agency strategy

Examine policy issues with a long-term perspective; anticipate potential threats or opportunities

Exercise sound judgment, make well informed, timely decisions; assess impact and implications

Prioritize and manage numerous projects simultaneously in a fast-paced regulatory environment, ensuring deadlines and program goals are met

Problem-solve and collaborate with others to address challenges, improve workflows, and enhance program efficiency

Develop and strengthen stakeholder relationships and represent ADWR in meetings and regulatory discussions

Conduct effective public meetings and present information to other governmental

and nongovernmental agencies

Be open to change and new information, adapt to changing circumstances or unexpected obstacles

Lead open exchange of ideas and foster open communication, encourage creative thinking and innovation

Selective Preference(s):

Experience required:

Ten (10) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR

Bachelors degree or higher in a related field and eight (8) years of professional level water resources management experience; OR

Masters degree or higher in a related field and six (6) years of professional level water resource management experience; OR

Doctorate in a related field and four (4) years of professional level water resource management experience.

The ideal candidate shall have a high degree of managerial ability and experience in meeting strategic goals and shall possess the ability to build regional partnerships and develop consensus-based programs and strategies. Experience in policy, planning, and regulation is preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued drivers license appropriate to the assignment.

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: Drivers License Requirements.

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

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans

Sick Leave

10 paid holidays per year

Deferred compensation plan

Credit union membership

Wellness plans

LinkedIn Learning membership

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Discounts