Job Location:
Address: Hybrid: remote and 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310 – Phoenix, AZ 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: Salary: $70,000 – $90,000
Grade: 25
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Job Summary:
This position will serve as team lead for all processes associated with establishing the Douglas AMA. The Douglas AMA was established by local initiation and election on December 1, 2022, and this position will lead the planning, policy development, documentation, application review, and other processes associated with establishing the regulatory and reporting structures for the Douglas AMA. This position will coordinate the details of multiple aspects of this process, will work closely with the regulated community and with staff at all levels of Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR).
This position will represent ADWR at public meetings and outside events that may include elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and various water users, including meetings with potentially sensitive or contentious discussions. The position is responsible for researching multi-disciplinary water resource issues to provide information to stakeholders and for completing any related data analyses or written reports and for communicating regulatory requirements in a clear, concise, and accurate manner. Individuals in this position must develop a comprehensive understanding of applicable laws, rules, statutes, policies, and procedures pertinent to ADWR activities, including but not limited to, knowledge of the Groundwater Code, Active Management Areas requirements and management plans programs, Irrigation Non-expansion Area requirements, the Recharge and Recovery Program, the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program, surface water law, and general Colorado River requirements.
The ideal candidate will have a genuine curiosity for environmental, water and/or natural resource policy issues, an interest in supporting stakeholders with understanding their legal and conservation requirements, skill in working collaboratively to develop regulatory structures and requirements, and a sharp eye for detail and nuance. The candidate will also enjoy working collaboratively with fellow team members to educate and inform the citizens of Arizona on water resource matters, have excellent writing and speaking skills, and will be able to communicate complex technical matters to both technical practitioners and to the general public.
A hybrid work schedule (some work in the office and some work from home) is available for this position.
Job Duties:
Lead Douglas AMA Establishment Processes:
- Communicate complex regulatory requirements to the public and regulated community through public speaking, presentations, and in written documents
- Coordinate and collaborate with other AMA team members regarding the development of communication and education programs, conservation programs, management plans, reporting processes, and compliance processes.
- Develop an in-depth knowledge of the history of water regulations in Arizona, including applicable laws, rules, statutes, and policies, and including relevant characteristics and political sensitivities of the AMAs
- Develop clear processes for receiving, analyzing, and processing water rights applications
- Work closely with ADWR staff, the Groundwater Users Advisory Council, and the regulated community to develop and communicate policies and procedures for the AMA
- Work with AMA staff to research and document a wide range of water rights and resource management issues
- Research and respond to customer requests and inquiries
- Maintenance and creation of standard work and program guidance documents, possibly including updates to websites and data dashboards
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
- The nature and occurrence of surface water and groundwater, specifically as it relates to the hydrology of Arizona
- The ecological, hydrological, engineering and socio-economic aspects of water usage and water supply
- Current concepts and practices in water resource management and conservation
- Current State and Federal water resource management laws and regulations, including water rights administration, annual reporting requirements, and major water use sectors (municipal, industrial, and agriculture)
- Department policies and procedures as well as the statutes and rules pertaining to water resources management
- Information sources, research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management
- Public policy management and practice
Skills:
- Working well within a team environment, including establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within ADWR, other governmental entities, private and public sectors
- Interacting with members of the regulated community regarding sensitive and contentious topics, requiring careful exercise of independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy
- Public speaking, including publicly presenting complex concepts and materials so they are understandable to diverse audiences
- Researching, reading, analyzing, and interpreting water resource management and related documents
- Preparing timely reports/recommendations involving water resources issues of highly complex, sensitive, and visible nature
- Applying a multi-disciplinary approach to resolve complex, sensitive, and/or visible water resource management issues
- Using Excel, Access, and other software to compile, organize, analyze, and interpret water resource management data
- Managing and coordinating projects with ADWR staff, other agencies, and the regulated public
- Performing detail-oriented tasks accurately and efficiently with minimal supervision
- Managing competing priorities
Selective Preference(s):
This position 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 any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Candidate should have at least ten years of professional level water resource management experience, or Bachelor’s degree and eight years professional experience in water resource management, or a Master’s degree and six years professional experience in water resource management or PhD and four year experience.
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
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Deferred compensation plan
- Credit union membership
- wellness plans
- LinkedIn Learning membership
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Discounts
For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
Retirement:
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment. The current contribution rate is 12.17%.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources.
