Colorado River Section Manager

DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

The mission of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is to safeguard the health, safety, and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, thoughtful, and innovative manner.

WWW.AZWATER.GOV

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

Salary: $75,000 – $95,000

Grade: 28

Open Until Filled

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how you are suited to the role.

This position will manage all aspects of the Colorado River Management Section, serving as a subject matter expert and advisor on complex and strategic issues related to the Colorado River. The role supports the directorate and legal divisions with management and policy efforts on the Colorado River and maintains stakeholder relations with local, regional, state, and federal agencies to improve coordination and collaboration.

A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week is required, with potential remote work within Arizona based on performance measures.

Oversee and manage a team of administrative and/or professional staff, ensuring performance management, training, and development. Maintain program excellence and evaluation to meet the Department’s strategic goals. Support the Directorate regarding the planning, management, and execution of complex projects, including the Post 2026 EIS process, Central Arizona Project allocations, and Colorado River management strategies. Interpret and present complex, highly technical analyses to agencies, and provide authoritative responses to inquiries.

Represent the Department and State of Arizona in negotiations with state and federal agencies, and develop constructive working relationships inside and outside the Department. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• The Law of the River and related laws, treaties, court decrees, rules/regulations pertaining to water apportionment, use, and allocation of the Colorado River in Arizona.
• Technical aspects of Colorado River operations.
• Negotiations and diplomacy.
• Water resources management, hydrogeology, and planning principles relevant to the Colorado River Program.
• State and federal water resources management rules and regulations.
• Information sources and research methods used in water resources management.

Skills in:

• Management and supervision
• Training professional staff on procedures and quality of results
• Analysis, written and oral communication, and technical writing
• Leadership, mentoring, conflict management, and problem solving
• Policy management, tactics, diplomacy, process improvement, and lean practices

Ability to:

• Manage and lead staff
• Build relationships with federal government, Basin States, and Mexico
• Advocate for the State of Arizona’s position
• Conduct public presentations
• Travel in state, nationally, and internationally
• Negotiate and make decisions
• Recommend actions to Director and Deputy Director on Colorado River matters
• Present complex technical and regulatory information concisely in writing and orally
• Maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, officials, the regulated community, the public, and international representatives
• Develop policies, procedures, and rules to facilitate program implementation
• Work well under pressure, synthesize feedback, and plan accordingly
• Build strategies and plan toward milestones and deadlines

• Ten (10) years of professional-level water resource management experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree or higher and eight (8) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR
• Master’s degree or higher and six (6) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR
• Doctorate and four (4) years of professional-level water resource management experience.
• Two (2) years supervisory/management experience.
• Preference for experience in water resources, natural resources management, data analysis, and/or project management.
• Experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of specific…