Environmental Quality Program Manager - Environmental Planner

Job Description Summary

Department - Environmental Quality

About the role

• REVISED
• OPEN UNTIL FILLED
• Job Type: Classified
• Job Classification: 5336 - Environmental Quality Program Manager
• Salary Grade: 14

Pay Range

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

Pay Range

$65,457 - $91,644 Annually

Range Explanation

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

The first review of applications will be on 08/28/2026.

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 through synthesizing information provided by the respective environmental program(s) into effective and concise proposed rules language.

This role will also assist Department leadership with planning rule development and implementation strategies for the Department. The Environmental Planner is expected to have the ability to conduct formal rulemakings that include meaningful public processes (i.e. stakeholder meetings, public hearings, etc.).

Additionally, the selected candidate must have the ability to understand and apply environmental rules and statutes; to follow guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and other technical instructions in performance of tasks; and to summarize completed tasks and/or monitoring data orally and in written communication.

Essential Functions

• As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics.
• This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.
• Work assignments may vary depending on the department's need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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 AND 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.)

OR

• Two years of experience with Pima County as a Program Coordinator or other related position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment.
• Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications

(Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and 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.

Selection Proce dure

• Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications.
• All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience.
• Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications.
• The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources.
• Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant's suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services' review and approval of the candidate's driving record.

• Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks.
• Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history.
• A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.
• Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment.
• Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations.
• Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Action Activity - bending, reaching, stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Speaking Activity - in person and on the phone; Vision - operate motor vehicle, distinguish colors, have depth perception, peripheral vision.

Working Conditions

Working conditions will be determined by the position.