DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Address: 1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Mission Partners Division

Salary:  $90K-$95K

Grade: 25

Closing Date: Open Until Filled (First Review 2/11/2026)

We have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Lean Coach to join our team. In this role, you will mentor leaders and empower teams to build a sustainable culture of continuous improvement by integrating Lean methodologies across all agency functions. You will serve as lead for high-visibility projects—driving measurable waste reduction and transforming organizational efficiency.

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.

• Operational Excellence Support: Partner with unit leadership to drive daily continuous improvement initiatives. You will integrate Lean tools and methodologies across the value stream, collaborating with cross-functional leaders to achieve strategic project goals.
• Training & Development: Coordinate and facilitate specialized Lean training, including AMS Tools and Principles, AMS Behaviors and Coaching, Standard Work, Kaizen, Visual Management, and New Employee Orientation (NEO).
• Project Facilitation: Lead project team meetings and provide expert guidance to Project Team Leaders. Facilitate collaborative problem-solving to analyze data and implement process solutions, proactively identifying barriers and solicit help from leadership when needed.
• Performance Tracking: Maintain regular engagement with teams to ensure project milestones are met. Develop and maintain visual management tools to track value stream performance and reports to section unit leadership as required on progress of projects.
• Strategic Selection: Support the identification, prioritization, and selection of high-impact projects. Focus on optimizing existing processes to drive waste reduction, cost control, and overall organizational efficiency.
  

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Lean concepts, principles, and tools focused on maximizing customer value, minimizing waste, and fostering a culture of continuous problem-solving.
• Knowledge of process improvement methodologies and management frameworks.
• Knowledge of business operations, Kaizen facilitation, and the integration of continuous improvement into daily workflows.
• Knowledge of section-specific services and customer needs, and how state and federal regulatory frameworks affect value stream products, services, and processes.

Skills:

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to focus on high-level strategic plans down to detailed project plans.
• Strong skills in program and project management, data-driven analysis, cross-functional team facilitation, and relationship building.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Visio, Access) and digital collaboration tools such as Mural, and Trello.
• Proficiency implementing process improvement within section unit projects.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with a wide range of internal and external customers.

Abilities:

• Ability to promote effective team development, encourage collaboration across large teams, address conflicts and obstacles and guide teams to achieve desired results.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with team members, peers, and management at all levels
• Ability to thrive in a challenging work environment to consistently deliver quality service and help section units serve the citizens effectively.
• Ability to transform a project vision into a defined scope and drive results while working with available resources and timeline requirements.
• Ability to speak to all audiences through the organization, understanding the various needs of audience members, and tailoring the message to address their concerns.
• Ability to handle sensitive inquiries with tact, professional diplomacy, and timely precision.
  

• Bachelor's degree in the field of environmental management, operations management, engineering, business administration, or other related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in:
  • Applying Lean methodologies and facilitating team-based problem-solving events.
  • Managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
    

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 pilot 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.