Colorado River Section Manager

The Arizona Department of Water Resources is dedicated to promoting the health, safety and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving and enhancing Arizona's water supplies in a bold, equitable and innovative manner. The Department administers the State’s water laws and develops policies that promote conservation and protect water availability in the face of climate change. The Department uses its technical, legal, administrative, and policy expertise to defend the integrity of Arizona water supplies.

This position will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Colorado River Management 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 required.

• Oversee and manage a 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.
• Support the Directorate regarding the planning, management and execution of complex, highly sensitive projects and programs including the department’s role in the Post 2026 EIS process;
  Central Arizona Project allocations; and Arizona's Colorado River management strategies.
• Interpret, present and explain to agencies complex, highly technical and sensitive analysis and conclusions and provide authoritative response 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.
• Develop 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…