Ama Outreach Coordinator (Water Resources Specialist 3)

DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

The mission of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is to safeguard the health, safety, and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, thoughtful, and innovative manner.
ADWR is seeking a talented, committed water resource professional to join the Statewide AMA Section.

Hybrid: remote and 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $55,000- $75,000

Grade: 23

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position will serve as an Outreach Coordinator for the AMA section in the Water Planning and Permitting Division at the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). This position will coordinate outreach and education efforts for the regulated community in AMAs and INAs, with a particular focus on newly regulated parties in the Douglas AMA and the Hualapai Valley INA. Additionally, this position will support AMA compliance efforts, coordinating with regulated parties, AMA program staff, legal, and agency compliance/enforcement staff to properly research and document potential compliance cases.

This position will represent the Department at public meetings and outside events that may include elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and various water users. The position is responsible for researching multi-disciplinary water resource issues to provide information to stakeholders and for completing any related data analyses or written reports. Individuals in this position must develop a comprehensive understanding of applicable laws, rules, statutes, policies, and procedures pertinent to ADWR activities, including but not limited to, knowledge of the Groundwater Code, Active Management Areas requirements and management plans programs, Irrigation Non-expansion Area requirements, the Recharge and Recovery Program, the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program, surface water law, and general Colorado River requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a genuine curiosity for environmental, water and/or natural resource policy issues, an interest in supporting stakeholders with understanding their legal and conservation requirements, an interest in supporting the regulated community in achieving their regulatory requirements, and revels in research, data analysis, and engaging with members of the public and regulated community. The candidate will also enjoy working collaboratively with fellow team members to educate and inform the citizens of Arizona on water resource matters.

Position will create summaries and make recommendations regarding complex, high-profile, and sensitive issues of multi-disciplinary water resource management program areas. This position will serve as the key coordinator for education and compliance for regulated parties in the AMAs. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and customer service skills, will work well on a highly collaborative team, will be able to speak precisely regarding sensitive issues, and will be able to interpret and analyze WATER RESOURCES management data to prepare technical reports for Division Managers, the Division Deputy Assistant Director, ADWR Deputy Directors and ADWR Director.

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.

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.

Lead education efforts regarding regulatory requirements for regulated parties in the AMAs:

• Coordinate communication between ADWR and key stakeholders regarding regulatory requirements and compliance issues
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the history of water regulations in Arizona, including applicable laws, rules, statutes, and policies, and including relevant characteristics and political sensitivities of the AMAs
• Communicate complex regulatory requirements to the public and regulated community through public speaking, presentations, and in written documents

Establishment processes for subsequent AMA and INA

Support AMA compliance efforts:

• Communicate with stakeholders to ensure understanding of individual regulatory requirements
• Collaborate and consult with ADWR staff of all levels and with diverse stakeholders to address and resolve potential compliance issues
• Research and respond to customer requests and inquiries
• Create and maintain standard work and program guidance documents, possibly including updates to websites and data dashboards

Knowledge of:

• The nature and occurrence of surface water and groundwater, specifically as it relates to the hydrology of Arizona
• The ecological,hydrological, engineering and socio-economic aspects of water usage and water supply
• Current concepts and practices in water resource management and conservation
• Current State and Federal water resource management laws and regulations, including water rights administration, annual reporting requirements, and major water use sectors (municipal, industrial, and agriculture)
• Department policies and procedures as well as the statutes and rules pertaining to WATER RESOURCES management
• Information sources, research methods and techniques utilized in WATER RESOURCES management
• Public policy management and practice

Skills:

• Working well within a team environment, including establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within ADWR, other governmental entities, private and public sectors
• Interacting with members of the regulated community regarding sensitive and contentious topics, requiring careful exercise of independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy
• Public speaking, including publicly presenting complex concepts and materials so they are understandable to diverse audiences
• Researching, reading, analyzing, and interpreting water resource management and related documents
• Preparing timely reports/recommendations involving WATER RESOURCES issues of highly complex, sensitive, and visible nature
• Applying a multi-disciplinary approach to resolve complex, sensitive, and/or visible water resource management issues
• Using Excel, Access, and other software to compile, organize, analyze, and interpret water resource management data
• Managing and coordinating projects with ADWR staff, other agencies, and the regulated public
• Performing detail-oriented tasks accurately and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Managing competing priorities

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Candidate should have: at least seven years of professional level water resource management experience, or a bachelor's degree and five years of related experience, or a master's degree and three years of experience, or a Ph.D and one year of experience.

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment. The current contribution rate is 12.29%.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.