Dpty Asst Dir

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, WA

6d • Remote

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is seeking a Deputy Assistant Director for its Surface Water Quality Division. The position co-leads the division and drives operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strategic program delivery to protect public health and Arizona’s environment. Reporting directly to the Division Director, the Deputy Assistant Director oversees division operations, manages complex budgets, mentors program managers, and develops data-driven systems and processes. The role is available for full-time remote work within Arizona, subject to agency remote-work policies.

The position supports the Director with long-range strategic planning, high-level program management, and decision-making. It promotes employee performance, productivity, motivation, and an engaged workforce. The Deputy Assistant Director also provides technical and regulatory expertise, represents the agency at public events and hearings, and sustains productive relationships with stakeholders, regulated communities, elected officials, and the public.

Requirements

• Five years of program management or strategic management experience.
• Knowledge of senior management principles and results-driven coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of senior business management, capital budgets, delegation, employee motivation, problem-solving methods such as 5 Why/Lean/CPI, and visual management.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, public-record regulations, and confidentiality strategies.
• Knowledge of strategic program planning and conflict resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of State and Department structure, the Arizona Management System, and Lean methods.
• Knowledge of Adobe, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace applications.
• Leadership skills in people management, a diverse environmental workforce, and division operations management.
• Strong interpersonal, external relationship, and conflict-resolution capabilities.
• Data-driven decision-making, fact-gathering, and logical analysis skills for administrative duties.
• Effective written and verbal communication, mentoring, coaching, and training skills.
• Workload capacity planning, allocation, and time-management skills.
• Customer-service and stakeholder-interaction skills across diverse audiences.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment with incomplete information and establish core metrics.
• Ability to lead division operations and align program, budget, and workforce planning with agency goals.
• Ability to apply leadership, analysis, and water quality regulations to recommend timely solutions and ensure compliance.
• Ability to manage program managers to ensure consistent, reliable, and timely outcomes.
• Ability to apply Lean concepts and continuous-improvement tools to maximize efficiency and customer value.
• Ability to execute detailed tasks accurately, handle changing priorities, and work independently under tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate tactfully, collaborate across divisions, and build positive stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to oversee complex regulatory activities, demonstrate sound judgment, and contribute to executive leadership.
• Newly hired State employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• If driving or use of a vehicle is an essential job function for conducting State business, the applicable driver’s license requirements apply.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Science, Engineering, or Law.
• A master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee division operations, including budget, personnel, staff development, systems, processes, and program direction, in alignment with Lean continuous improvement.
• Lead the advancement of systems and processes to improve efficiency, cost control, and quality, and build a culture of Lean and continuous improvement.
• Teach, coach, and champion Lean principles with managers and support their daily application.
• Assist the Director with strategic budget management across revenues, expenditures, and hiring; reduce expenditures without compromising operational performance; and forecast operational needs, fee adjustments, and revenue changes.
• Promote visual management tools, conduct frequent Gemba walks, and ensure managers evaluate performance using lead and interim lag measures tied to agency goals.
• Mentor and coach managers in leadership, team building, and Lean principles.
• Support staff development through training that improves productivity, quality, and technical expertise while lowering costs.
• Address legislative hearings, constituent concerns, and issues raised by elected officials.
• Maintain ADEQ’s relationships with stakeholders, the regulated community, and the public, and align external stakeholders and customers around shared goals and mission objectives.
• Assist the Director in establishing program priorities, regulatory strategies, and organizational structure.
• Provide high-level technical and regulatory expertise to staff, supervisors, stakeholders, and the public.
• Represent the agency at public events, hearings, and meetings to promote strategic objectives.
• Partner with managers on recruitment, hiring, retention, and disciplinary actions.
• Document performance through appraisals and establish formal career progression plans for staff and leadership.
• Support the Director through long-range strategic planning, high-level program management, and sound decision-making.
• Drive employee performance, productivity, motivation, and an engaged workforce dedicated to the agency’s mission.

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Sick leave accrual beginning at 12 days per year and annual leave accrual beginning at 13 days per year for full-time employees.
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program).
• Arizona State Retirement System lifetime pension benefits.
• Medical, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program.
• Workplace flexibility to support work/life balance.
• Learning and career development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior