Water Resources Manager Senior Water Planning Division Assured and Adequate Water Supply Section WWW.AZWATER.GOV Job Location:
Hybrid: remote and 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Posting Details:
Salary $110,000 - $130,000 Grade 28 Closing Date: Open Until Filled Interested candidates should submit their Cover Letter and Resume to apply Review of resumes will begin on September 7, 2026 Job Summary:
This position will be responsible for the management and oversight of the Department's Assured and Adequate Water Supply (AAWS) Programs. Both the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs evaluate the availability of a 100-year water supply considering current and committed demand, as well as growth projections, before homes can be sold. The Assured Water Supply Program operates in the state's Active Management Areas (AMAs). It is designed to sustain the state's economic health by preserving groundwater resources and promoting long-term water supply planning. The Adequate Water Supply Program operates outside of the AMAs, ensuring that the water adequacy or inadequacy is disclosed in the public report provided to potential first purchasers and that any water supply limitations are described in promotional or advertising material.
The AAWS Section currently comprises a professional team of two hydrogeologists and seven water resource specialists. The work is complex, requiring significant policy and technical expertise, and it is fast-paced, deadline-driven, and frequently sensitive in nature. The team works collaboratively to problem solve, innovate, and meet objectives; supporting, challenging, and learning from one another.
The manager reports to the Deputy Assistant Director of the Planning and Permitting Division and coordinates closely with members of the Legal Division and other sections within the agency to achieve program objectives. Consults with the Assistant Director, Deputy Director, and Director regarding program direction and makes recommendations to the Director regarding determinations that can have significant impact.
The candidate should have strong managerial experience and the ability to foster an environment in which diverse professionals work collaboratively to achieve strategic goals. The candidate should be skilled in analyzing and developing policy recommendations. He or she must demonstrate careful judgment and tact and should communicate effectively with representatives from government, staff of all levels, senior representatives from stakeholder groups, and the community.
A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is presently required. 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:
The manager is responsible for a variety of tasks, including:
Recruiting, hiring, training, and supervision of staff assigned to the Assured and Adequate Water Supply section; prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing technical work and ensuring licensing time frames are met; developing, organizing, and disseminating policies, procedures, and training materials; representing the Department in meetings with clients; issuing certificates and designations of assured water supply, physical availability determinations, designations of adequate water supply, and water reports; processing and approving water transfers; and frequently coordinating with internal staff and external customers, often involving policy development and complex or sensitive issues.
The manager must interpret and apply statutory regulations, rules, and program policies. Guides staff in the analysis, coordination, and presentation of programmatic and policy recommendations to the Assistant Director for Planning & Permitting, the Deputy Director, and the Director of ADWR. Responsible for keeping agency leadership apprised of issues, potential problems and opportunities, and recommending actions to be taken. Ensures public records requests and data requests for internal and external customers are completed accurately and promptly. The manager may represent the Department at meetings with other state, federal, and local agencies and stakeholders on issues involving recharge and recovery and may serve as the technical expert witness in hearings concerning recharge and recovery.
Additional tasks and activities will be assigned as needed.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge
- Current concepts, methods and practices in water resources planning and management
- Statewide water resource management issues
- State and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to water resources and management
- Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment
- Statutes, rules, policies, and procedures related to the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs
- Assured and Adequate Water Supply application review process
- Licensing time frame tracking and reporting
- Information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management
- Supervisory, training, and management techniques
Skill in:
- Supervision, management, training, and development of professional level staff
- Effectively managing workload, deadlines, and priorities
- Tact, diplomacy, and discretion
- Clear, well-organized, concise, and convincing oral, written, and visual communication
- Drafting, reviewing, and revising technical reports and correspondence
- Researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical documents
- Compiling, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting water resource management data; manipulating large datasets
- Applying a multi-disciplinary approach to resolve complex, sensitive, and/or visible water resource management issues
- Problem identification and analysis and process improvement
- Handling administrative issues; resolving conflicts in a positive and constructive manner
Ability to:
- Lead others and foster a culture of accountability, inclusivity, integrity, and professionalism
- Facilitate open exchange of ideas and foster open communication; encourage creative thinking and innovation
- Think strategically, exercise sound judgment, make well-informed, timely decisions; perceive impact and implications
- Examine policy issues with a long-term perspective; anticipate potential threats or opportunities
- Interpret/explain and ensure compliance with State and Federal water supply statutes, rules and department policies and procedures
- Interpret, analyze, and develop policies, procedures, and rules to facilitate program implementation
- Understand and effectively communicate complex statutes and Department rules, policies, and procedures, orally and in writing
- Multi-task and manage simultaneous licensing time frames and deadlines, prioritize workload
- Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements and correspondence
- Problem solve and collaborate with others to overcome barriers and improve processes
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, agency staff, governmental officials, 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.
- Deal effectively with pressure, maintain focus, and remain persistent
- Manage conflict effectively
Selective Preference(s):
Experience required (experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of specific water resource management experience):
- Ten (10) years of professional-level water resource management experience; OR
- Bachelor's degree in a related field and eight (8) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR
- Master's degree in a related field and six (6) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR
- Doctorate in a related field and four (4) years of professional level water resource management experience.
- Supervisory/management experience.
Preferred experience:
- Natural resources management experience, data analysis experience, and/or project management experience.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment.
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:
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.
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
Retirement:
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will b ecome effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance.
