100 North 15th Avenue, Suite 104

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $110,000 - $142,000 

Grade: E3

Open Until Business Needs Are Met

The Executive Director is responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Commission and carrying out the policies and regulations of the Commission. Acts as the chief executive officer of the Commission, a statewide agency by strengthening and implementing policies affecting Arizona citizens who are deaf and hard of hearing.

On behalf of the Commission, directs and coordinates the total administration of the agency in accordance with A.R.S. 36-1941-47. Works directly with the Governor's office, Legislature, Commission, media, and the public regarding issues related to deafness or hearing loss.

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.

• Administration and Management: Direct and administer the entire agency in accordance with A.R.S. 36-1941-47, ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the Commission are carried out in accordance with the Commission's policies and regulations. Oversees and/or is directly responsible for hiring, training, motivating, evaluating, and assigning duties to staff

• Leadership and Strategic Direction: Providing leadership, working with stakeholders, including staff members and the Commission, setting strategic goals, developing and implementing plans to guide the agency's future programs and activities

• Public Education/Advocacy: Promote awareness of Deaf culture and hearing loss issues through various social media platforms, including websites, YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), among others, while ensuring that information is accessible to deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind consumers. Act as a lobbyist for the Commission

• Public Relations: Directly work with the Governor’s office, Legislature, Commission, media, and the public regarding issues related to deafness or hearing loss. Maintain strong Public Relations with the Legislative, Commission, and Communities ACDHH serves

• Policy Implementation and Development: Carrying out existing policies, proposing necessary changes, formulating new policies and practices, and advising the Commission of Directors on policy matters

• Fiscal Management: Prepares annual financial statements, submits financial reports, writes and controls the Commission’s annual budget, and maintains fiduciary responsibility in signing for all financial documents

• Representation: Acting as the primary representative of the agency to the public, government officials, and other entities

Knowledge of:

• Strategic planning and budget process, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that pertain to the Commission and the constituents it serves, and of the Arizona Revised Statutes governing the Commission and the principles and practices of public administration

• Deaf Culture and hard of hearing issues and all methods of communication by people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and combined vision and hearing loss

• Federal statutes pertinent to this Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Blind populations

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing trends on a local, regional, and national level

• Laws affecting persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and combined vision and hearing loss

Skills in:

• Strong leadership and organization skills, including guiding and motivating staff, conflict resolution, fostering a positive work environment, and achieving organizational objectives

• Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written skills, social media communications, and public speaking

• Fluent in American Sign Language and written English

• Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory compliance for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind people

• Strategic planning, including project management, and data analysis

• Financial management and budget development skills

Ability to:

• Maintain positive role-modeling and engagement with the public, consumers, consumer and professional organizations, public officials, and other stakeholders, as well as the Commission

• Maintains a professional appearance appropriate for various events such as office, public speaking, meetings with political and organizational leaders, community events, etc

• Use sound judgment and exercise appropriate diplomacy for various situations

• Adapt to planned or unplanned changes, as needed

• Master's degree in deaf education, counseling, business administration, or a related field or 5+ years of experience as an administrator of programs or services directly for deaf and/or hard of hearing

• Strong leadership and organization skills, thorough knowledge of hearing technology used by those with a hearing loss

• Bachelor's degree in deaf education, counseling, business administration, or a related field or 10+ years of experience as an administrator of programs or services directly for deaf and/or hard of hearing

• The executive director shall be a trained professional experienced in problems of the deaf and the hard of hearing and skilled in the use of manual communication, commonly referred to as sign language, and may be either a deaf person, a person who is hard of hearing or a person with normal hearing

• 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 offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

•Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

•Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

•Vacation plus 10 paid holidays per year

•Health and dental insurance

•Retirement plan

•Sick leave

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

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

•Please note that enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Brian Westerberg at brian.westerberg@azdoa.gov for assistance