WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AUTHORITY OF ARIZONA (WIFA)

3300 North Central Avenue

 Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary is Negotiable

This position is at will and serves at the pleasure of the Board of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority; a separate employment agreement will be required  

This posting will close on November 8, 2024  

The responsibilities of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) were greatly expanded two years ago with expanded direction to secure Arizona’s water future through augmentation and conservation measures.

WIFA’s responsibilities now include a fundamental role in meeting the existing and future water supply needs of the State of Arizona through the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund (WSDRF), the Long Term Augmentation Fund (LTWAF), and the Water Conservation Grant Fund (WCGF).

These missions are undertaken in addition to WIFA’s historic responsibility to help Arizona’s communities construct and maintain their wastewater and drinking water infrastructure by providing them low-cost financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs.

WIFA is seeking to hire a Director to help the Board accomplish WIFA’s responsibilities. The Director will be a goal-oriented, pragmatic, innovator who provides expertise and leadership to drive economic growth and environmental benefits through supporting state, tribal, and local efforts to augment water supplies, conserve water, and modernize water infrastructure for all of Arizona.

The Board seeks candidates who may be beyond the traditional scope of recruitment for such a role. Focus will be placed upon intelligence, integrity, courage, and determination.

A background in water and/or finance is desirable, but greater preference will be given to individuals with a demonstrated track record of effective leadership and disruptive change of large and complex organizations.

The Director will be a leader of leaders and must embody the State’s values: care for one another, strive for excellence, and do the right thing.

Drive the vision, mission, and performance of The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) by:

• Seeking out and evaluating opportunities for WIFA to meet the State’s water supply and conservation needs through the funding available in the WSDRF, LTWAF and WCGF programs. Work with the Board to conduct a competitive review of options across a broad range of strategies, including the development and importation of new water sources and the conservation and re-use of existing water sources. Work with the board to select and implement the best options, while being aware that an emphasis will be placed on innovative ideas as well as traditional approaches

• Evaluating requests by Arizona communities for financing to be provided from the CWSRF and DWSRF programs for the construction and maintenance of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. Make recommendations to the Board. Administer financing provided pursuant to the CWSRF and DWSRF programs

• Providing the WIFA’s leadership presence in public and private forums, including legislative hearings, judicial proceedings, media engagements, and public events

• Developing and maintain external relationships with State agencies, national and local officials, tribes, private sector organizations, and nonprofit organizations to achieve WIFA’s vision and mission, and to fulfill its responsibilities

• Providing direction, oversight and accountability for WIFA’s performance, organizational health, operations, personnel, and technological innovation

• Managing a highly professional and motivated staff. Select, hire and develop a high functioning, multi-disciplined team across multiple programs to achieve major program objectives

• Implementing controls and measures to effectively monitor and assess employee morale, operations, financial directives, and program outcomes

• Developing and implement policies, priorities, strategies and guidance for successfully implementing and overseeing WIFA’s programs

• Possess a Master's or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university

• Have proven experience of effective leadership of large and complex organizations

• Have a track record of community relations and engagement

• Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver license record checks, required to maintain acceptable driving records and complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.11)

• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver license appropriate to the assignment

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 with 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, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions please feel free to contact Yolanda Mendoza at ymendoza@azwifa.gov for assistance