ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ADEQ; United States; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Top-ranked retirement program

Robust insurance plan

Commuter subsidy

Work-life balance

Learning and career development

Job summary

ADEQ in Arizona seeks an Environmental Program Manager 2 to lead the Surface Water Quality Improvement unit, guiding a high‑performing team of technical experts. You won't need to be the technical expert, but you will support staff and drive outcomes under the Clean Water Act and state regulations.

This role emphasizes supervision, budget management, compliance, and stakeholder engagement, with remote work options within Arizona.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental or related field.
• 2 years of supervisory/leadership experience.
• 3-5 years of environmental experience in a regulatory setting.
• Ability to drive/transport as an essential function of the job.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff and direct operations within the unit.
• Manage the unit budget for staffing, equipment, and travel.
• Ensure compliance with program goals and regulations.
• Support performance measures and process improvements.
• Develop and implement data quality policies and procedures.
• Serve as a regulatory resource for staff and stakeholders.
• Prepare annual reports and assist with budget planning.

Skills

Management

Leadership

Supervision

People management

Communication

Data analysis

Research skills

Problem solving

Negotiation

Time management

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Science

Tools

Adobe

Microsoft Office

G-Suite

Job description

DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY We are looking for results‑oriented, driven individuals with a thirst for problem solving. At Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) our mission 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 currently looking for employees who are committed to our Agency, passionate to excel in their career and engaged in our mission. Only this caliber of employee will be successful in driving our Agency towards accomplishing our mission.

About the Role

Environmental Program Manager - UNIT MANAGER Standards & Assessment Unit - Surface Water Quality Improvement

Job Location

• Address: WATER QUALITY DIVISION 1110 W. WASHINGTON STREET, PHOENIX, AZ 85007
• Grade: 24

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

• 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.
• 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.

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

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).

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

Contact Us

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.