ARIZONA STATE LAND DEPARTMENT

1110 West Washington Street, Suite 510

Phoenix, AZ, 85007

Salary: $72,000 - $92,000 

Grade: 23

Open Until Business Needs Are Met

Under the supervision of the Natural Resources Division Director, the Minerals Section Manager performs professional geologic and administrative work related to the oversight of six state wide mineral and energy permitting and leasing programs. The major function of the Minerals Section is to generate income through the issuance of hard rock mining leases, industrial mineral and sand and gravel leases, exploration permits, oil and gas leases, geothermal energy leases and special land use permits for severed mineral estates. In addition to the six statewide leasing programs, the position is responsible for the geologic and economic evaluation of all land sales, long term commercial leases and rights-of-way and a determination of mineral values for: land condemnation proceedings; in-lieu and other land tenure actions; legal quiet title actions; long range planning and annexations; other projects as may be deemed appropriate by the Division Director or Commissioner.

The incumbent coordinates State Abandoned Mines Program and State Mined Land Reclamation Act with the State Mine Inspector's Office and cooperatively works with the Arizona Geological Survey to identify and promote the development of mineral resources on State Trust Land. The Section Manager also writes draft mineral policies, rules and statutes, and advises the Commissioner on mineral related inquiries and policy matters. Minerals leases have an extremely high priority and visibility and directly impact revenue potential for the Land trust.

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.

• Applies and positively models the principles, theories, and concepts of the Arizona Management System; identifying meaningful group metrics and adjusting as necessary; leading all continuous improvement activities with courage and humility (i.e. daily group huddles, huddle board updates, problem solving sessions which identify areas for process and quality improvement)

• Supervises and directs staff efforts; reviews staff work products, especially those involving Mineral Section recommendations; complete all personnel related duties

• Writes scope of work and administers contracts for geologic evaluations; economic assessments and/or market analyses; mineral appraisals; and petroleum engineering studies

• Consistently develops subordinate’s problem-solving skills; facilitating alignment on performance expectations and applying quick course corrections

• Plans and facilitates effective 1:1 coaching sessions (at least twice monthly) in alignment with Arizona Management System principles

• Manages all facets of mineral and oil and gas development on state land through the administration of six statewide leasing programs

• Writes draft policies, rules, and statutes and advises the Commissioner on mineral policy matters

• Reviews and evaluates technical geologic reports; economic assessments; and mineral appraisals

• Performs field examinations for lease compliance and collection of geologic information

• Responds to inquiries related to minerals leasing and mineral development on state land

• Successfully adheres to standard work procedures and leader standard work protocols)

• Prepares budgets; oversees royalty accounting functions; develops economic forecasts

• Prepares, reviews and revises permit and lease documents

• Resolves land use conflicts

Knowledge of:

• Working knowledge of Arizona geology, geologic principals, mineral economics, cash flow analyses, mineral appraisal methodology, and exploration, mining and land reclamation techniques

• Comprehensive knowledge of state statutes, rules, and policies governing all types of mineral development on state land

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal mining laws and the Federal Land Policy Management Act

• Understanding of state personnel rules and procedures

Skill in:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various levels of local and federal government, business officials, and the public

• Strong project management skills necessary to plan, organize, prioritize, and direct the work of staff

• Advanced oral and written communication skills in both a technical and general sense

• Intermediate skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel PowerPoint)

• Intermediate skills utilizing GIS applications

Ability to:

• Interact effectively with a wide range of people from the non-technical to the very technical, attorneys, corporate officers, the public at large, and other government entities

• Develop performance measures for lease and contract administration, staff performance evaluations and budget justifications

• Resolve conflicts with and between lessees of the Department, the public, and employees

• Maintain composure and provide testimony in legal proceedings

• Speak publicly

• Bachelor's degree in Geology and a minimum of five years’ experience as an exploration geologist, hard rock minerals/sand & gravel or mining geologist with project level and supervisory responsibilities
• One to three years’ experience or commensurate training in areas of public land laws, federal and state mineral leasing laws, mineral appraisal methodology, mineral economics, and mined land reclamation

• 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.

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

• 10 paid holidays per year

• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

• Deferred compensation plan

• Wellness plans

• 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

• 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.

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute

• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• The current contribution rate is 12.27%

• If you have trouble applying for this position, please email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov for assistance

• Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting ASLD Human Resources at 602-542-2629, requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation

• Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer