Remote Water Policy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is a key component of the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Section, with a primary focus on Certificates of Assured Water Supply (CAWS) and related applications. Working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, this position is responsible for processing, analyzing, and documenting applications to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The role evaluates hydrologic studies, demand analyses, and legal documentation for consistency with technical criteria and program policies and prepares clear and defensible determinations. Additional duties include reviewing program-related annual reports, supporting related application types such as Water Reports, and contributing to projects that require coordination across multiple program areas.

This position requires strong technical analysis skills, accurate processing of complex data, and a working knowledge of departmental policies, the Arizona Administrative Code, and Arizona Revised Statutes governing water supplies in Arizona.

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. A minimum of two days on-site at the ADWR office per week 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 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.

This position is responsible for a variety of technical and regulatory tasks, including:

Application Review and Analysis: Serve as a primary analyst for Certificates of Assured Water Supply (CAWS) and related applications. Review hydrologic studies, demand analyses, contracts, and legal documentation to ensure compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), and ADWR policies

Regulatory Compliance: Interpret and apply statutory and regulatory requirements to assigned applications. Ensure determinations are accurate, consistent, and completed within licensing timeframes

Technical Documentation: Draft deficiency letters, technical memoranda, and final determinations that clearly document the basis for ADWR's decisions

Coordination: Work closely with hydrology and legal staff on technical and regulatory issues. Communicate with applicants, consultants, and water providers to resolve questions and clarify requirements

Program Support: Contribute to the review of program-related annual reports and support other application types, such as Designations, Modifications, and Assignments, as needed

Process and Data Support: Maintain accurate application files, track progress in internal systems, and provide input on improving workflow efficiency and consistency

Additional tasks and activities will be assigned as needed

Knowledge of:

• Arizona water resource management laws and regulations, including Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) and Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) related to the Assured and Adequate Water Supply Programs
• Procedures and requirements for processing water supply applications, particularly Certificates of Assured Water Supply and related application types
• Principles of groundwater hydrology, water budgets, and methods used to evaluate water supply and demand
• 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 practices for technical reports, data management, and regulatory compliance
• Information sources, research methods, and techniques used in water resources management

Skill in:

• Clear, well-organized, and concise written and verbal communication
• Drafting, reviewing, and editing technical reports, determinations, and correspondence
• Researching, interpreting, and analyzing regulatory, legal, and technical documents
• Compiling, organizing, and interpreting water resource data, including application materials and hydrologic analyses
• Applying basic hydrologic and regulatory concepts to evaluate water supply applications
• Identifying problems in application materials and recommending solutions consistent with statutes, rules, and policies
• Managing multiple assignments at the same time while meeting deadlines

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), and ADWR policies related to Assured and Adequate Water Supply determinations
• Review and evaluate technical, legal, and administrative information in water supply applications for accuracy and consistency
• Prepare clear and accurate technical reports, deficiency letters, and determinations that comply with statutes, rules, and policies
• Manage multiple applications at the same time and meet licensing timeframes in a fast-paced regulatory environment
• Problem-solve and collaborate with colleagues to address technical and regulatory challenges in application reviews
• Communicate complex regulatory and technical concepts clearly in both written and verbal form to technical and non-technical audiences
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, applicants, consultants, and water providers
• Adapt to new policies, procedures, and evolving water resource challenges while maintaining accuracy and timeliness

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.

Seven (7) years of professional level water resource management experience OR Bachelor's degree and five (5) years OR Master's degree and three (3) years OR PhD and one (1) year.

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 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
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Credit union membership
• Wellness plans
• LinkedIn Learning membership
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts

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

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 12.00%.

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.