Entry Level Remote Community Relations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is responsible to support scope of work in three of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) programs; the Ombudsman, Tribal Relations, and the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP). The position reports directly to the Senior Division Administrator and coordinates and maintains a close working relationship with the agency's organizational structure with Subject Matter Experts (SME) and staff to sustain the programs and build teams to ensure the scope of work is fulfilled. This position maintains a positive public image of the agency through external engagement at in-person events.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).

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.

• Responsibilities related to the Ombudsman are to review and track constituent inquiries and complaints submitted to ADEQ and those assigned by the Governor's Office of Constituent Engagement's (GOCE). Summarize inquiries and complaints, coordinate across the agency as necessary and build teams to facilitate problem solving, review recommended solutions with ADEQ's Ombudsman and Programs as required, and prepare final responses to close the case.
• Responsibilities related to Tribal relations is engagement with the Tribes of Arizona and nearby states.. Coordinate Tribal notifications with ADEQ Programs, collect information to support drafting of ADEQ's Tribal Annual Report and ADEQ's Tribal Consultation and Collaboration Policy, as needed, coordinate with the ADEQ Community Liaisons regarding Tribal environmental staff engagement and in-person visits. This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of intra-agency's Tribal communications.
• Responsibilities of ADEQ's Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) requires strong interdepartmental coordination, external engagement and recognitions regarding interested parties, and technical skills related to environmental indicators and goals. Review and analyze company VESP applications and annual progress reports pertaining to voluntary environmental goals, e.g., waste generation, recycling, reuse, water conservation, emission reductions, energy consumption, chemical alternatives.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

KNOWLEDGE

• Tribal sovereignty and governance
• Researching and compiling information
• State statutes, rules and regulations as they pertain to the Department and section
• State government and department organizational structure
• Confidentiality
• Microsoft Office and the G-Suite/Workplace
• Google Suite
• Environmental performance indicators and continuous improvement

SKILLS

• Listening, Verbal and written communication
• Gathering of facts and information
• Effective time management
• Customer service and the ability to effectively interact with a wide range of internal and external constituents

ABILITIES

• Coordinate complaints across the departmentMaintain a positive public image
• Review and analyze applications and annual progress reports
• Work under pressure meeting deadlines
• Exhibit personal initiative
• Prioritize effectively
• Adapt to changing assignments and priorities
  
• Respond to inquiries with tact, diplomacy, and appropriate timely information
• Work as a team player inter and intra agency divisions
• Organize, prioritize and perform multiple tasks on a daily basis
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with agency staff and the public
• Complete assigned tasks accurately
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Meet deadlines
• Report work status, issues, and inquiries timely
• Be organized, analytical, and professional
• Problem solve
• Analyze and establish priorities
• Display sound judgment
• Travel and/or work from home, if applicable

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, public communication, public relations, or related field.
• Two years of environmental related experience for a medium to large organization or public relations experience in government.

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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

ASRS 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.