Assistant Director

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

8d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Assistant Director to oversee our Environmental and Consumer Protection Division (ECPD). This position plans, administers, and implements activities of the ECPD, which is comprised of the following programs: Environmental Services, Pest Management, and Weights & Measures. This position requires a common-sense approach to regulatory programs working closely with industry leaders but using regulatory actions when appropriate and best for the public and industry. This includes working with federal agencies such as USDA and EPA, and providing oversight and direction of programs through subordinate supervisors and staff. This role is also responsible for division oversight of budget requests including the development of annual budget and spending plans, monitoring compliance, and reviewing monthly revenues and expenditures. It also provides counsel and advice to the Agency Director, senior executive leaders, and industry stakeholders on issues and problems relating to commercial weights and measures, fuel, pesticide use, and feed, fertilizer and seed quality and labeling.

Requirements

Practices and procedures in the inspection of industries falling under the division's regulatory umbrella, including Pest management, Weights and Measures, and other regulated consumer protection and environmental services.
Enforcement of laws specific to industries impacted by programs, including Pest management, Weights and Measures, and other regulated consumer protection and environmental services.
Administrative methods, procedures and techniques used to manage and direct resources of the division.
Financial reporting, budgeting, audit and analysis.
Principles and practices of organizational management, work management, and work leadership.
Computer based software and applications including but not limited to Google Workspace, MS Office, Adobe, etc.
Analyzing management, administrative and technical data.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to network, establish and maintain professional working relationships with individuals within and outside the agency.
Problem solving, decision making, time management, and leadership.
Organizing and prioritizing work, researching, collecting and compiling data
Use sound judgment in corresponding with and interacting with various groups including elected officials and special interest groups during sensitive situations.
Mentoring staff to improve on the job performance.
Utilizing the latest technology to improve operations.
Plan and organize activities to meet deadlines.
Negotiate settlements and/or cooperative agreements with defendants and federal agencies respectively.
Analyze and prepare written communication.
Manage stressful situations.
Produce written and visual materials, and present to large and small groups.
Work in a fast-paced environment with changing goals and priorities to meet agency metrics and other analytics.
In-state travel is required.
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.
Successfully pass background and reference checks.
Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Ag Engineering or related discipline.
Knowledge of regulated agricultural and structural industries.
Minimum of five years of executive level supervisory experience, organizational and fiscal management experience in private business or public sector.
Prior public or private-sector regulatory experience.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise the activities of the ECPD, which consists of the Office of Environmental Services, Pest Management, and Weights and Measures. Administer effective and efficient operations that meet the goals of the department.
Actively participate in the Department’s Leadership Team.
Work closely and communicate effectively with industry stakeholders. Respond to requests from the public. Stay up-to-date and well informed of issues and concerns related to environmental and consumer protection. Provide non-regulatory training programs.
Direct and manage the accounting of significant budgets including general funds, Federal funds and other appropriated funds. Develop ECPD’s annual budget and authorize expenditures, coordinate budget requests and spending plans, monitor compliance, and review monthly revenues and expenditures. Establish fiscal, audit, procurement and personnel accountability systems and operational plans.
Enforce laws, rules and orders necessary to carry out the purposes of A.R.S. Title 3: Chapter 2, Article 2 Seeds, Article 3 Fertilizer Materials, Article 5 Pesticides and Article 6 Pesticide Control. Chapter 15, Article 1 Commercial and Customer-Formula Feeds, Chapter 17 Agricultural Safety, Chapter 19 Weights and Measures Services Division, and Chapter 20 Pest Management Division.
Plan, attend, and present at events related to the environmental, pest management, weights and measures, and other industries regulated by the department, as well as other state agencies, and federal agencies.
Establish fees and adopt rules; ensuring cooperation with other State or Federal agencies, such as EPA and ADEQ, and other divisions of the Agency.
Coordinate with and assist federal agencies to write grants/cooperative agreements to secure competitive funding opportunities, and keep products available for use.
Plan, research, and develop new and revised methods and procedures to improve effectiveness of the division. Develop new, revise, and/or amend existing policies and procedures affecting the division, to include drafting of new legislation, rules, policies, procedures, or federal agreements. Work to keep state primacy when possible. Work closely with university researchers to analyze pesticide use data. Utilize the latest technologies.

Benefits

Full-time or part-time remote work schedule option
Improved work/life balance
Higher job satisfaction
More productive
Paid Parental Leave program
Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
State sponsored retirement contribution plan
Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period
Voluntary deferred compensation program
Additional information about available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates will be provided.