[Hiring] Environmental Science Specialist 3-4 @Arizona Department of Administration

Role Description

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join our Surface Water Protection Section. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record leading multidisciplinary teams – including field staff, scientists, engineers, and legal experts – and managing complex project timelines. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing Arizona's surface water resources while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).

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

• End-to-End Management: Lead cross-functional projects from inception to delivery, developing charters, defining scope, establishing realistic timelines, and tracking resource allocations.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Act as the central hub connecting Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), permit writers, field inspectors, compliance officers, and legal/technical staff to streamline workflows and achieve agency objectives.
• Data Integrity & Management: Oversee the analysis, interpretation, and quality assurance of surface water quality data.
• Technical Translation: Translate complex technical data and regulatory requirements into high-quality, actionable reports, executive summaries, and presentations for ADEQ leadership, EPA region 9, and diverse public audiences.
• Regulated Community Collaboration: Collaborate with federal, state, and local government agencies, tribal nations, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance surface water protection initiatives.
• Multidisciplinary Leadership: Provide daily guidance, mentorship, and technical direction to teams of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), permit writers, field inspectors, compliance officers, and legal/technical staff.
• Culture Building: Cultivate an inclusive, high-performing team environment aligned with ADEQ values, encouraging professional growth and data-driven problem-solving.
• Process Optimization: Proactively identify bottlenecks in process pipelines, implementing project management best practices and Lean/Continuous Improvement tools to boost efficiency and reduce backlog.
• Innovation: Champion new tools, automated workflows, or field technologies to enhance the overall effectiveness and speed of surface water protection efforts.
• Attend quarterly in-person meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, natural resources management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Level 3: 5 years of experience in project management. A master's degree in a related field may substitute for two years of experience. Doctorate in a related field may substitute for four years of experience.
• Level 4: 8 years of experience in project management. A master's degree in a related field may substitute for two years of experience. Doctorate in a related field may substitute for four years of experience.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

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

Benefits

• 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