DEPT OF WATER RESOURCES

Hybrid: remote and Office 

1110 W. Washington St., Suite #310

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $65,000 - $85,000

Grade: 25

Closing Date: Open Until Filled 

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how you are suited to the role

The Assured and Adequate Water Supply (AAWS) Supervisor is responsible for supervising and training staff and processing and evaluating AAWS applications. Reporting to the AAWS Section Manager, this position plays a key role in evaluating 100-year water supply availability, ensuring compliance with state permitting requirements, and interpreting regulatory policies related to water supply management.

The Assured Water Supply Program, which operates in Active Management Areas (AMAs), is designed to preserve groundwater resources and promote long-term water supply planning. The Adequate Water Supply Program, which applies outside of AMAs, ensures that potential homebuyers are informed of water adequacy or inadequacy. Both programs are essential for balancing Arizona’s growth with long-term water security.

The AAWS Supervisor assists the AAWS Manager in leading a team of hydrogeologists and water resource specialists, providing technical guidance, permitting oversight, and regulatory compliance expertise. The role involves processing and evaluating water supply applications, reviewing hydrologic data, and ensuring accurate regulatory determinations.

The ideal candidate will have experience in water resource management and permitting, particularly in regulatory compliance, technical water evaluations, and licensing. Knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) and Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) is desirable, and formal legal training is preferred but not required. The Supervisor will work collaboratively with ADWR’s Legal Division, industry representatives, municipal water providers, and stakeholders to meet program objectives.

This position requires strong leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills to support ADWR’s mission of safeguarding Arizona’s water resources through bold, thoughtful, and innovative management.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based on the department's business needs and a continual meeting of expected performance measures. A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office is required.

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 can work remotely in their homes, offices, and hotel rooms. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

The AAWS Supervisor is responsible for a variety of supervisory, technical, and regulatory tasks, including:

• Supervising and Developing Staff—Assist in the oversight and mentorship of a team of hydrogeologists and water resource specialists, providing technical oversight of permitting decisions and ensuring compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), and ADWR policies. Support staff professional development through training, workload management, and career growth opportunities.
• Regulatory Review and Permitting Compliance—Assist in the processing and evaluation of Assured and Adequate Water Supply applications, ensuring that all determinations comply with statutory and regulatory requirements. Conduct quality control reviews to ensure technical accuracy and consistency with program requirements, groundwater modeling, and supply determinations.
• Legal and Policy—Collaborate with ADWR’s Legal Division on complex regulatory matters as needed. Assist in evaluating and developing policy.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination—Serve as a point of contact for developers, municipal water providers, industry representatives, legal teams, and other stakeholders. Represent the Section Manager in internal and external meetings and stakeholder discussions.
• Process Improvement and Quality Control—Identify and implement efficiency improvements in the application review process, ensuring accurate and timely determinations while maintaining compliance with licensing timeframes. Standardize internal review processes to enhance consistency in technical and regulatory decision-making.
• Data Management and Reporting—Assist in the oversight of record-keeping, data analysis, and reporting related to water supply assessments. Ensure that all permit tracking and regulatory reporting obligations are met and that public records requests are completed accurately and promptly.
• Project Management and Strategic Planning—Track multiple concurrent projects and deadlines, ensuring staff are equipped with the resources and guidance needed to complete evaluations efficiently and following statutory deadlines.
• Additional tasks and activities will be assigned as needed.

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory, training, and management techniques
• Regulatory review and permitting processes and familiarity with water resource permitting are a plus
• Procedures and requirements for processing, approving, or rejecting water supply applications
• State and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to water resources and management
• Processes and procedures associated with working within a regulatory environment
• Statutes, rules, policies, and procedures related to the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs
• Quality control measures for technical reports, data management, and regulatory compliance
• Information sources and research methods and techniques utilized in water resources management

Skills in:

• Supervision, management, training, and development of professional-level staff
• Project management, effectively managing workload, deadlines, and priorities
• Data analysis and management, including compiling, organizing, and evaluating water resource datasets
• Clear, well-organized, concise, and convincing oral, written, and visual communication
• Drafting, reviewing, and revising technical reports and correspondence
• Researching, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating regulatory, legal, and technical documents
• Compiling, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting water resource management data; manipulating large datasets
• Applying a multi-disciplinary approach to resolving complex, sensitive, and/or visible water resource management issues
• Problem identification and analysis and process improvement
• Handling administrative issues; resolving conflicts in a positive and constructive manner

Ability to:

• Lead and mentor professional staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and innovation
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), and ADWR policies related to Assured and Adequate Water Supply determinations
• Develop and adapt policies, procedures, and rules to improve program implementation and address evolving water resource challenges
• Exercise sound judgment and make well-informed, timely decisions while considering long-term program implications
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced regulatory environment, ensuring deadlines and program goals are met
• Problem-solve and collaborate with others to address challenges, improve workflows, and enhance program efficiency
• Build stakeholder relationships and represent ADWR in meetings and regulatory discussions
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, water providers, developers, and the public

Experience required:
• Eight (8) years of professional-level water resource management experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field and six (6) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR
• Master’s degree or higher in a related field and four (4) years of professional-level water resources management experience; OR
• Doctorate in a related field and two (2) years of professional-level water resource management experience

• Minimum two (2) years of supervisory/management experience
• Preference for water resources experience, natural resources management experience, data analysis experience, and/or project management experience
• Legal and regulatory experience a plus
• Experience in a related field may be considered in lieu of specific water resource management experience

This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid, state-issued driver’s 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.

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

The Arizona 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
• Sick Leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts 
• Flexible work schedule

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.

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. The current contribution rate is 12.27%.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact ADWR Human Resources Office at (602) 771-8500 for assistance. Persons with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language or an alternative format by contacting ADWR Human Resources. The Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.