ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER 2
Job No: 544298
Work Type: Full-time
Location: REMOTE OPTIONS, FLAGSTAFF, PHOENIX, TUCSON
Categories: Environment/Air/Water/Waste, Scientific/Technical Support, Management/Supervisor
Environmental Program Manager 2 - UNIT MANAGER
Standards & Assessment Unit - Surface Water Quality Improvement
Job Location:
Address: WATER QUALITY DIVISION
1110 W. WASHINGTON STREET, PHOENIX, AZ 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: $85k-$90k
Grade: 24
Closing Date: Open until filled
Job Summary:
At ADEQ our mission/vision is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona. Through consistent, science-based environmental regulation; and clear, equitable engagement and communication; With integrity, respect, and the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency; Because Arizonans treasure the unique environment of our state and its essential role in sustaining well-being and economic vitality, today and for future generations.
We are looking for an Environmental Program Manager 2 to help drive our agency towards accomplishing our vision. We need a Program Manager who can manage a high performing team of technical experts. You don't need to be the technical expert but need to know how to best support staff and drive the work forward to meet mission outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage operating functions of the unit which establishes and reviews surface water quality standards and evaluates the health of surface waters under the Clean Water Act and state Surface Water Protection Program.
• Supervise, assign work, set priorities, monitor, evaluate performance, and train staff.
• Ensure technical accuracy and compliance of work products with program goals, state/federal statutes, rules, regulations, and ethics.
• Review technical reports, community relations outputs, and legal documents.
• Participate in supervisory meetings for problem resolution and decision-making.
• Champion continuous improvement projects, recommend program enhancements, and assist in developing goals and strategies.
• Develop data quality assurance and scientific study policies/procedures.
• Provide guidance and interpretation of complex federal and state laws and regulations.
• Manage complex or high-profile projects and assignments.
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.
Job Duties:
• Supervise staff and direct operations, including coaching, training, and taking disciplinary actions when needed.
• Manage the unit budget to support financial allocations for staff development, strategic hiring, equipment/software purchases, and travel.
• Ensure unit compliance with program goals, grant requirements, and state and federal regulations.
• Support section performance measures by developing and participating in process improvement projects.
• Develop revised processes to increase work efficiency, quality, and output.
• Ensure staff properly use performance and flow boards.
• Track and report applicable agency performance measures to update leadership.
• Serve as a technical and regulatory resource for staff, supervisors, stakeholders, customers, and the general public.
• Perform as a key decision maker for unit-level operational and technical matters as necessary and appropriate.
• Maintains internal and external agency communication through staff meetings, stakeholder meetings, and outreach functions.
• Responds to requests for information regarding compliance, enforcement, and general regulatory requirements.
• Prepare annual reports. Assists with the preparation of reports, budget projects and expenditures.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
KNOWLEDGE
• Management techniques, including personnel and resource coordination, results-driven leadership, task delegation, performance specifications, employee motivation, team-based problem solving, and visual management principles.
• Analytical data collection, analysis, interpretation, statistical procedures, and testing methods.
• Contract administration, grants administration, and procurement procedures.
• Project management and community involvement principles.
• Data management principles and techniques to assure data integrity.
• Public relations and meeting facilitation.
• Department policies, environmental compliance (state/federal), enforcement protocols, and State Implementation Plan requirements.
• Roles and functions of department environmental programs.
• Public record laws and confidentiality maintenance strategies.
• Arizona Management System / LEAN Methods.
• Adobe software, Microsoft Office software, and G-Suite/Workplace software.
SKILLS
• Management, leadership, supervision, and people management skills.
• Developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with internal and external entities, including federal and state officials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, technical report writing, presentations, and meeting facilitation.
• Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting a wide variety of highly technical data.
• Reading, comprehension, and research abilities.
• Complex problem solving, critical thinking, resolution, and decision making.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Organization, planning, time management, and project management.
• Organizing and managing section operations.
• Team building, mentoring, resourcefulness, and coaching direct reports for development and performance improvement.
• Customer service and effective interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Training employees and establishing core business process metrics.
• Working independently with minimal supervision and making sound judgments based on partial evidence.
ABILITIES
• Analyze program needs, establish priorities, and implement operating policies and procedures.
• Analyze statutes, regulations, and policies relating to complex scientific analysis and State Implementation Plans.
• Apply laws, rules, standards, policies, and procedures to analytical work.
• Communicate clearly and build effective relationships with government officials, the regulated community, and the public.
• Direct a diverse group of technical experts to achieve unit goals and performance measures.
• Create and refine metrics representing unit activities.
• Use professional judgment to execute decisions independently or collaboratively.
• Apply LEAN concepts, principles, and tools for continuous problem-solving and efficiency.
• Handle detailed work accurately and manage multiple tasks under changing priorities and tight deadlines.
Selective Preference(s):
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Environmental or Natural Science, Hydrogeology, Geology, Environmental Management, Toxicology, Biology or other environmental disciplines.
• 3-5 years of environmental experience in a regulatory agency, consulting, or private industry.
• 2 years of supervisory/leadership experience.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
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.
Benefits:
Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Accrual of sick and annual leave beginning at 12 and 13 days per year respectively for full-time employees
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program
• We promote the importance of work/life balance by offering workplace flexibility
• We offer a variety of learning and career development opportunities
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.
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
Retirement:
Arizona State Retirement System Lifetime Benefits
Contact Us:
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting HPO@azdeq.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Advertised: 09 Oct 2026 US Mountain Standard Time
Applications close:
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