Dpty Asst Dir

Arizona Department of Administration • Gilbert, AZ

8d • $130,000 - $140,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is seeking a Deputy Assistant Director to co-lead its Surface Water Quality Division, drive operational excellence, and champion continuous improvement. Reporting directly to the Division Director, this senior leader oversees division operations and provides strategic support, including complex budget management, manager development, and data-driven systems that help protect Arizona’s natural resources.

The role is available for full-time remote work within Arizona, including virtual office arrangements. Remote work is a management option and may be discontinued at the agency’s discretion.

Requirements

• Five years of program management or strategic management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Geology, Science, Engineering, or Law; a master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Knowledge of senior management principles, resource coordination, and results-driven leadership.
• Knowledge of senior business management, capital budgets, delegation, employee motivation, problem-solving methods including 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, conflict resolution, State and Department structure, the Arizona Management System, and Lean methods.
• Knowledge of Adobe, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace applications.
• Leadership in managing people, a diverse environmental workforce, and division operations.
• Strong interpersonal, external relationship, and conflict-resolution capabilities.
• Data-driven decision-making, fact-gathering, and logical analysis skills.
• 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, manage 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, exercise sound judgment, and contribute to executive leadership.
• New State employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Responsibilities

• Oversee division operations, including budgets, personnel, staff development, systems, processes, and program direction, in alignment with Lean continuous improvement.
• Support the Director with long-range strategic planning, high-level program management, and decision-making.
• Drive employee performance, productivity, motivation, and workforce engagement.
• Advance systems and processes, prioritizing efficiency, cost control, and quality; build a Lean and continuous improvement culture; and coach managers in applying Lean principles.
• Assist the Director with strategic budget management across revenues, expenditures, and hiring; reduce expenditures without compromising operations; and forecast operational needs, including fee adjustments and revenue drops.
• Promote visual management tools, conduct frequent Gemba walks, and ensure managers evaluate performance using measures linked to agency goals.
• Mentor and coach managers in leadership, team building, and Lean principles, and ensure staff training and development.
• Address legislative hearings, constituent concerns, and issues raised by elected officials; maintain relationships with stakeholders, the regulated community, and the public; and align them around shared goals.
• Assist the Director in setting program priorities, regulatory strategies, and organizational structure; provide technical and regulatory expertise; and represent the agency at public events, hearings, and meetings.
• Partner with managers on recruitment, hiring, retention, and disciplinary actions; document performance through appraisals; and establish formal career progression plans.

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Sick and annual leave accrual beginning at 12 and 13 days per year, respectively, 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).
• Retirement program with lifetime pension benefits through the Arizona State Retirement System.
• 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