Environmental Quality Program Manager - Environmental Planner

About the Role

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality is seeking an Environmental Planner to assist with moderately complex environmental planning and rules analysis. This position will assist with the Department's rule writing and rule-making process, including drafting environmental rules by synthesizing information from respective environmental programs into effective and concise proposed rules language. The role also supports Department leadership with planning rule development and implementation strategies. The Environmental Planner will conduct formal rulemakings involving meaningful public processes such as stakeholder meetings and public hearings.

Responsibilities

• Manages and supervises field operations for environmental monitoring programs, ensuring proper site maintenance, staff oversight, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Leads and executes environmental planning and regulatory rulemaking processes to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws.
• Interprets and applies federal regulations, particularly EPA QA requirements under 40 CFR Parts 50, 53, and 58, to align organizational practices with compliance standards.
• Implements and maintains quality assurance systems, including QAPPs, SOPs, and Quality Management Plans, to ensure the integrity and defensibility of environmental data.
• Conducts data validation and assessment, performing Level II reviews, statistical analysis, and certification audits to uphold the accuracy and usability of monitoring data.
• Provides QA oversight and guidance, reviewing operations, issuing quality control directives, and coordinating corrective actions to resolve data or procedural deficiencies.
• Manages program logistics and resources, including procurement, equipment tracking, permitting workflows, and budgeting processes.
• Supports staff development, overseeing training programs and offering technical assistance to promote consistent understanding and implementation of QA practices.
• Coordinates with stakeholders, engaging public water systems, agencies, and community representatives to foster collaboration, resolve issues, and facilitate access to resources.
• Conducts regulatory reviews and field inspections, including well siting, septic system evaluations, water sampling, and sewage investigations to protect public health.
• Manages administrative and reporting duties, from fee invoicing and CCR reviews to system activations, exemption determinations, and participation in regional work groups and meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental science, biology, engineering, or another program-related field, as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment.
• Four years of professional-level experience in coordinating, monitoring, administering, or managing program or specialized work unit activities. Relevant professional-level experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.
• Two years of experience with Pima County as a Program Coordinator or other related position may substitute for the education and experience requirements, as determined by the department head.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in research, evaluation, and/or interpretation of federal, state, and/or local environmental regulations necessary for an environmental rule-making process.
• Experience in professional writing to effectively communicate and document rule changes.
• Experience in coordinating and hosting public meetings, hearings, and presentations for the regulated community and general public with the objective of achieving effective rulemaking changes.
• Experience in collaborating with technical staff and/or various environmental programs to ensure proposed rules and regulations contain accurate and applicable information.
• Experience in professional planning in environmental and/or technical programs.

Skills

• Ability to understand and apply environmental rules and statutes.
• Ability to follow guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and other technical instructions.
• Ability to summarize completed tasks and/or monitoring data orally and in written communication.

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid driver license is required at the time of application.
• Valid Arizona driver license is required at the time of appointment.
• Successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

• Physical activity: bending, reaching, stooping.
• Motion activity: grasping.
• Speaking activity: in person and on the phone.
• Vision: operate motor vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception, peripheral vision.

Pay

Hiring Range: $65,457 - $78,540 Annually

Pay Range: $65,457 - $91,644 Annually

The actual salary offer will consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.