Deputy Assistant Director - Water Planning & Permitting Division

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

3d•$95,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for the management and oversight of regulatory, permitting, and planning sections within the Department’s Planning and Permitting Division. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in water policy, planning, regulation, history, and politics, with government experience at the local, state, or federal level, as well as managerial experience. The successful candidate will have the ability to build effective working relationships with leadership and staff throughout the agency. They will demonstrate careful judgment and tact and communicate and effectively engage with representatives from government, staff of all levels, senior representatives from industry, and the community. They should have experience working collaboratively on boards, committees, and in stakeholder groups—including leadership roles—to develop consensus-based solutions to challenges. They will be skilled in problem identification and analysis; applying analytical and research methods and techniques; and researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical documents. 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. A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is required. 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.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Hydrologic, engineering, socio-economic, and ecological aspects of water supply and utilization.
Current concepts, methods, and practices in water resources planning and management.
State and/or federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to water resources and its management.
State and/or federal court rulings impacting water resources allocation and management.
Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment.
Roles and relationships of state policy making and implementation process.
ADWR’s mission, programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures regarding management of water resources.
Hiring and management practices.
Skills in: Supervision and management of managers and professional level staff
Clear, well-organized, and convincing oral, written, and visual communication
Presenting complex material publicly to diverse audiences
Problem identification and analysis
Applying analytical and research methods and techniques
Applying multi-disciplinary approach to resolve complex, sensitive, visible water resources management issues; analyzing and problem solving
Researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical documents
Handling administrative issues; resolving conflicts in a positive and constructive manner
Process improvement
Ability to: Exercise leadership and effectively supervise and support multiple sections
Determine objectives and set priorities; formulate effective strategies consistent with agency strategy
Analyze a situation, identify the problem area(s), propose, and implement solutions
Examine policy issues with a long-term perspective; anticipate potential threats or opportunities
Exercise sound judgment, make well informed, timely decisions; perceive impact and implications
Manage and prioritize numerous projects simultaneously
Deal effectively with pressure, maintain focus, and remain persistent
Interpret and develop rules, policies, laws, and statutes
Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including agency staff, government officials, leaders in the regulated community, and the public
Be open to change and new information; adapt to changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; adjust to new circumstances requiring attention and resolution
Facilitate open exchange of ideas and foster open communication; encourage creative thinking and innovation
Take initiative and be self-motivated, curious, proactive, and achievement oriented

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate will have experience in water policy, planning, and regulation and managerial experience. They will be skilled in meeting strategic goals and will possess the ability to build regional partnerships and develop consensus-based programs and strategies.
Bachelors degree and ten years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the agency’s leadership team. Under the direction of the Director, represents, defends, and protects the interest of the State of Arizona and its citizens on matters related to the agency’s programs. This includes coordinating with state and federal agencies, municipal corporations, authorities, other political subdivisions, private entities, tribes, and other states in matters related to the Department’s programs.
Responsible for keeping the agency’s executive level staff and directorate 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.
Represents the division in projects that require multi-disciplinary expertise, including investigating and resolving potentially sensitive and highly visible water resource management issues.
Reviews and provides guidance on a variety of documents, including technical reports and regulatory documents. Reviews and approves permits and certificates. Participates in development of the agency’s annual strategic plan and ensures metrics and section management reports are submitted. Monitors contracts and approves payment of invoices.
Supervises, manages, and coaches managers and professional level staff in procedures and techniques to be used, the quality and timeliness of work expected, licensing and timeframe requirements, setting goals and objectives, and prioritizing multiple simultaneous projects. Guides staff recruitment, selection, appraisal, recognition, and corrective action. Assesses staffing needs and organization based on statutory requirements, strategic objectives, and budget realities.