Deputy Assistant Director - Colorado River Section

Arizona Department of Administration; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Water Resources seeks a Deputy Assistant Director to lead the Water Planning Division's Colorado River Section. You will oversee hydrologic modeling, policy development, and strategic initiatives to strengthen Arizona's long-term water supply reliability.

Candidates should bring extensive management experience, strong communication skills, and a track record of coordinating with state and federal partners to advance complex water resource projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in water resources management and policy development.
• Strong background in hydrologic modeling and planning for large-scale river systems.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional teams and public affairs outreach.

Responsibilities

• Manage Colorado River policy, planning, scheduling and modeling activities.
• Oversee and develop a multidisciplinary team with performance management and training responsibilities.
• Foster stakeholder relationships with agencies, tribes and districts to improve coordination.

Skills

Management and supervision

Leadership mentoring

Public presentations

Policy development

Analytical thinking

Communication (oral)

Communication (written)

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Doctorate in related field

Job description

DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

Deputy Assistant Director

Water Planning Division/Colorado River Section

WWW.AZWATER.GOV

Hybrid: remote and 1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310 - Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $135,000 - $155,000

Grade 29

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Colorado River Management and Hydrologic Modeling Section and will serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on complex and strategic issues related to the Colorado River. The position is responsible for managing Colorado River technical work and assisting the directorate and legal divisions with management and policy efforts on the Colorado River.

The position is also responsible for maintaining stakeholder relations with local, regional, state and federal agencies and working with a broad array of internal and external partners to improve coordination and collaboration to contribute to the Department's efforts to improve the reliability of Colorado River water supplies for Arizona.

This position requires the ability to travel in state, nationally and internationally.

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

Support Directorate regarding the planning, management and execution of complex, highly sensitive projects and programs including the department’s role in the Post-2026 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and associated regulatory processes; Central Arizona Project allocations; and Arizona's Colorado River management strategies. Interpret, present and explain complex, highly technical and sensitive analysis and conclusions. Provide authoritative responses to inquiries on Colorado River matters, including preparing presentations, reports, and testimony before Committees, Boards, Commissions courts, etc. May represent the Department and the State of Arizona in negotiations for complex, high-profile, and sensitive issues with state and federal agencies to better prepare for Arizona's long-term needs.

Develops constructive and effective working relationships inside and outside the Department. Support program objectives by working in a consultative and collaborative capacity within a cross-functional interdisciplinary environment inside and outside the Department.

This position is responsible for overseeing and managing an integrated policy and hydrologic modeling team of administrative and/or professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development. Responsible for ongoing program excellence, program evaluation and for meeting the Department's strategic goals and objectives.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge

• The Law of the River and laws, treaties, court decrees, rules/regulations, pertaining to water apportionment, use, and allocation of Colorado River in Arizona.
• Technical aspects of Colorado River operations.
• Negotiations and diplomacy
• Comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of water resources management, hydrogeology and planning as applicable to the Colorado River Program.
• Considerable knowledge of State, Federal rules and regulations regarding water resources management
• Knowledge of information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management.

Skill in:

• Management and supervision
• Supervision including training professional staff regarding procedures/techniques to be used, quality of results expected and projected timelines, goals and objectives.
• Analysis
• Both written and oral communications with both individuals and groups.
• Providing leadership and mentoring others, effectively managing people and dealing with conflict
• Problem identification and analysis, in addition to problem solving techniques.
• Technical writing
• Policy management, tactics and diplomacy
• Process improvement and lean practices

Ability to:

• Manage and lead staff
• Build relationships with colleagues in the federal government, 7 Basin States, and Mexico
• Be a strong advocate for the State of AZ's position
• Conduct public presentations
• Travel in state, nationally and internationally
• Negotiate and make decisions
• Make recommendations to Director and Deputy Director regarding Colorado River matters
• Present complex technical and regulatory information in a concise and easily understood format both orally and in writing to audiences with varying levels of data.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, governmental officials, the regulated community, the public and international representatives
• Develop policies/procedures and rules to facilitate program development/implementation
• Work well under pressure, synthesize feedback and plan accordingly
• Build strategies, planning or determining how to move toward deadlines or how to measure milestones

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.

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

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
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts
• Flexible work schedule

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.

Retirement

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us

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

Advertised: 20 Aug 2026 US Mountain Standard Time