Planner 3

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

2d • $56,160 - $61,589 • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Produce and Plant Services Division is recruiting a Planner 3 (State Survey Coordinator) for its Phoenix Operations. The position plans, organizes, and advises management on activities of personnel involved in survey and trapping work for federally funded programs, and has authority to define objectives and make decisions for assigned projects.

The coordinator serves as the primary contact for the Department’s federally funded pest survey programs; coordinates survey planning, reporting, communications, outreach, and collaboration with state and federal partners; and oversees supporting databases, data quality, inventory, documentation, and direct reports. In-state travel is required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of federal, state, and agency laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing inspection activities and safety practices.
• Knowledge of planning and survey implementation, supervisory practices, government organization and procedures, computer applications in planning, and data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Knowledge of federal grant program requirements, including work and financial plan development and reporting cycles.
• Knowledge of pest-detection survey and trapping methodologies.
• Knowledge of data management, including database structure, data validation, quality control, and reporting.
• Knowledge of supervisory roles and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of supply-chain and inventory management, including expiration-date tracking and timely distribution of materials.
• Knowledge of program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and inter-agency collaboration.
• Knowledge of diagnostic laboratory processes, taxonomic support systems, and scientific-partner communication protocols.
• Knowledge of mapping tools, GIS concepts, SOPs, and user-manual development.
• Skill in planning survey and trapping activities; supervisory and work-leadership techniques; project coordination and management; scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Skill in drafting and revising work and financial plans, data entry and validation, technical writing, communication, meeting facilitation, problem-solving, and collaborative planning.
• Skill in building productive working relationships and communicating clearly in oral, written, and graphic formats with agency staff, governments, cooperators, and the public.
• Skill in using mapping software, spreadsheets, and database systems to support survey and trapping activities.
• Skill in organizing and maintaining inventory, tracking expiration dates, and ensuring proper distribution.
• Ability to interpret and apply guidelines, standards, and program requirements; coordinate multiple stakeholders; and manage concurrent projects and reporting deadlines.
• Ability to analyze data, identify errors or gaps, and ensure data integrity before submission.
• Ability to develop and maintain SOPs and user manuals, adapt to changing program requirements, and provide leadership and operational support to direct reports.
• Ability to represent the Department professionally at meetings, trainings, and outreach events; work independently; exercise sound judgment; and escalate issues appropriately to the Administrator.
• A current, valid, class-appropriate driver’s license is required for employees operating a motor vehicle on State business; required training and driver-record checks apply, and acceptable driving records must be maintained.
• Successful completion of background and reference checks is required; employment is contingent on completion of the process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate restrictions.
• New State employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in an agricultural or environmental-related field, or in public or business administration; alternatively, four years of experience in a related field.
• Knowledge of GIS mapping and accounting or budgeting principles.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for the Department’s federally funded pest survey programs and establish and coordinate a pest survey program committee.
• Prepare draft work plans, financial plans, and accomplishment reports in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Communicate and coordinate with other State Survey Coordinators and federal counterparts, including sharing information about surveys.
• Attend and participate in regional Plant Board meetings and training opportunities.
• Develop and participate in outreach about survey and trapping with in-state and out-of-state entities.
• Maintain communication with diagnostic laboratories and taxonomists supporting trapping and survey programs.
• Maintain Plant Services databases used to track survey and trapping activity, audit data entered into the federal database under national guidelines, ensure database completeness and accuracy, and prepare reports for external stakeholders as needed.
• Supervise and provide guidance to direct reports.
• Maintain and develop user manuals and standard operating procedures for trapping and survey programs.
• Provide data validation and quality-control support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation and 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS); participation is mandatory for eligible employees, with enrollment eligibility effective after 27 weeks of employment
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed