DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Director

1110 West Washington Street, Suite 450

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $62,000 - $72,000 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 02/08/2026

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Rules and Policy Administrator. This position reports to the Office of the Director and is responsible for administering the Department's rules development and updates in accordance with Arizona Administrative Procedures Act (APA) standards. The individual in this role will interact with the Governor's agricultural resources policy advisor, the Governor's Regulatory Review Council (GRRC), the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, the Arizona Attorney General's Office, and other State agencies as applicable on rule development, approval, submission, and implementation. In addition, this individual is responsible for leading complex projects of considerable difficulty in fulfillment of the Department's public records requests as well as managing the development of, and updates to, the Department's internal administrative policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

● Prepare, draft, review, and edit rule making packages and five-year rule review reports, facilitate stakeholder and public meetings, and file all approved rule-making packages with the Secretary of State's Office or Attorney General's Office as applicable. May be asked to testify or facilitate presentations to the Governor's Regulatory Review Council (GRRC).

● Steward all official records of rule makings, substantive policy statements, and Director's administrative orders, including written or oral public comments, meeting minutes and/or recordings of public hearings, or workshops by the Department pertaining to rule making. Provide technical assistance and training to Directors, Administrators, and Program Managers.

● Work with the Department's Legislative Liaison on new or updated legislation that would require new rules or changes to existing rules. With the assistance of the Department's Assistant Attorney General, conduct legal research and analysis of complex matters that impact rules, substantive policies, and Director's Administrative Orders.

● Coordinate with program personnel across the Department to gather, compile, and prepare documents and reports needed to fulfill Public Record Requests (PRR). Assist the Department's Chief Public Information Officer (PIO) with litigation-related holds and projects, including gathering Department records as part of the discovery process. Update and maintain tracking tools for PRRs and report to Departmental leadership on progress, status, and risks.

● Create policy and procedure templates and facilitate training and workshops for program staff across the Department on policy development and implementation. Coordinate with subject matter experts (SMEs), program staff, and partner agencies to create and update administrative policies and procedures.

Knowledge of:
• The principles and practices of law as applied to rule making in Arizona, including the requirements of the Arizona Administrative Procedures Act (APA)
• Principles and practices of research, planning, and analysis
• Federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to public records and litigation holds
• Project management frameworks and methodologies, best practices, and documentation
• The body of law and policy affecting AZDA operations and responsibilities.

Skills In:
• Complex legal research, policy analysis, policy writing, technical writing and editing
• Using a variety of computer software packages, including Google Suite (e.g. Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet), Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and Adobe
• Public speaking and meeting facilitation, workshop development and facilitation
• Effective time management; reviewing and monitoring overall project progress; managing roadblocks and resolving conflicts
• Project management and team coordination
• Filling knowledge gaps through active research or engaging with subject matter experts; collaboration and relationship building

Ability to:
• Work cooperatively and effectively with diverse groups of people inside and outside of the Department
• Organize, prioritize, and manage a heavy workload with changing priorities while meeting critical deadlines
• Understand and document processes at a conceptual level and answer questions about how department processes work
• Provide quality guidance and direction on rule, policy, and procedure development.
• Apply independent judgment, discretion, and make prompt, informed, and fact-based decisions

This ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Experience and/or education (Bachelor's or advanced degree preferred) in the field of law, government, legislation, and/or regulatory issues.
• Training and/or experience in the rule making process, specifically the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.
• At least 3 years' experience researching, analyzing, coordinating, and writing rules and policy documents.

• As this position may require driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

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

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

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

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us at (602) 542-6532 or azdahumanresources@azda.gov .
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (602) 542-6532 or azdahumanresources@azda.gov . Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.