DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Address: WATER QUALITY DIVISION 1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: ESS2 $50K - $60K ~ ESS3 $65k - $70k 

Grade: 21/22

Closing Date: OPEN until filled

We have an immediate opening for an Environmental Science Specialist - Operation Certification Coordinator in our Capacity Development Unit, Water Quality Division. As a member of the Capacity Development Unit, you will support the Operator Certification Program for drinking water systems. This includes implementing operator certification related legislation, including the development of operator training and providing oversight for operator testing. This position will also support operators through answering questions and solving problems concerning operators’ certifications, testing, or training.

This position is available for remote work per department needs within State of Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).

Position is 90% remote and 10% field/office.

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.

• Attend outreach events and representing ADEQ as a subject matter expert on the Operator Certification Program.
• Coordinate training events in a virtual and in person format.
• Prepare annual operations reports.
• Maintain Operator Certification committee meeting; membership, minutes, direction.
• Communicate with multiple internal and external customers on a variety of technical and nontechnical topics.
• Audit Operator Companies and contracts to ensure they meet all minimum standards as outlined by rule.

• Knowledge of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Arizona Administrative Code (specifically drinking water rules), and agency policies and processes, including County, State, and Federal drinking water regulations is advantageous.
• Knowledge of operational certifications in drinking water system operations, environmental risk, public health, hydrology, geology, or environmental law/policy.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with the ability to prepare and deliver clear, concise, and accurate communications.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service skills to include communication with external customers.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply environmental rules and statues.
• Ability to follow guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and other technical instructions in performance of tasks; to prepare clear, concise and accurate reports; and to summarize completed tasks and/or monitoring data orally and in written communication.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science/studies/technology, earth sciences, statistics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, environmental management, or chemical/environmental engineering or an equivalent science discipline.
• ESS2 (grade 21): 2 - 5 years of environmental outreach planning and coordination experience (Master’s degree may substitute for 2 years’ experience).
• ESS3 (grade 22): 5 years or more of environmental outreach planning and coordination experience (Master’s degree may substitute for 2 years’ experience).

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).

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

Arizona State Retirement System Lifetime Benefits

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting HPO@azdeq.gov.
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.