The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) is on the hunt for an exceptional individual to step into the role of Director. As the WIFA Director, you'll be at the helm of critical initiatives that will shape Arizona's water landscape for generations to come. You'll work with a dedicated team, engage with communities across the state, and have the chance to implement groundbreaking strategies in water augmentation and infrastructure.

The Ideal Candidate

While experience in water management or finance is a plus, we're especially interested in your ability to lead and inspire change. Our ideal candidate will have:

• A proven track record of effective leadership in large, complex organizations
• The ability to think outside the box and drive innovative solutions
• A knack for building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders
• The determination to tackle big challenges head-on

Apply by October 15th, 20204 through the azstatejobs.gov (link opens in new window) portal. 

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have questions about the application process. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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PHOENIX, June 19, 2024 - Yesterday, Governor Hobbs signed the budget approved by Arizona’s lawmakers, which decreases WIFA’s funding by nearly $500 million. Even in light of the State’s fiscal situation, this budget is remarkably short-sighted. The state chose to balance its budget largely on the back of its long-term water security.

There is a significant demand among Arizona’s water providers for augmented water – between 100,000 and 500,000 acre feet over the next 5-15 years. Yet, this budget eliminated $430 million from the Long-Term Augmentation Fund. Despite a clear need for water security solutions for rural Arizona, this budget also cuts $60 million from the only state funds set aside exclusively for water supply development projects in the rural communities who need it the most.

These cuts could not come at a worse time. Right now, WIFA is making tangible progress toward strategic investments in renewable, reliable water supplies for Arizona. Over the last two years, our Board has worked diligently to create a project development pathway to mitigate risk and encourage outside investment in long-term augmentation. Our competitive solicitation will allow WIFA to analyze projects in all respects: financial, environmental, social, political, and hydrological. We have engaged the market and learned there is significant demand from investors, project developers, and technology providers to join with Arizona in a water augmentation project. Today, the Long-Term Water Augmentation Committee convened to further refine the solicitation process and begin developing a purpose and need statement to guide this development pathway. WIFA has set itself up for success.

While WIFA is poised to navigate these deep funding cuts, there is only so much that it can do on its own to prove that Arizona is serious about securing the State’s water future. WIFA can ensure that we have an effective, competitive process for evaluating project proposals. WIFA can ensure that no project receives investment unless it provides benefits to each community, ecosystem, and economy that it touches. But WIFA cannot guarantee the existence of the resources necessary to make those projects successful. The current trend of draining funds from our long-term water investments to solve short-term problems calls into question WIFA’s possibility of success, no matter how strong our process.

We call upon policy makers to work with WIFA and identify a better path forward. Together, we can fulfill our mission to protect current and future Arizonans, the economy, and the environment of this State through a comprehensive water strategy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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PHOENIX, June 19, 2024 -

[CAMP VERDE, Arizona] –The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) announced today that it has closed a $16.3 million loan with the Yavapai-Apache Nation. This loan, which includes $1,650,000 in non-repayable forgivable principal, will provide financing for a wastewater treatment facility to replace an outdated sewage lagoon system on the Yavapai-Apache Nation Reservation. This loan will be provided through WIFA’s federally funded Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

The lagoon system currently serves 176 connections within the Reservation, the Nation's Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel, the Yavapai-Apache Nation Cultural Center. Replacing the lagoon system, which sits only 750 feet from the Verde River, will provide a safer and more reliable treatment method for the community’s wastewater. The Nation also plans to integrate the high-quality reclaimed water generated by the system into its agricultural operations for irrigation.

“WIFA is thrilled to partner with the Yavapai-Apache Nation to provide affordable, low-cost financing for this critical water infrastructure project,” said Chuck Podolak, WIFA’s Director. “Replacing the lagoons with a modern wastewater treatment facility will improve overall health, sanitation, and water security for the Nation and for all communities who rely on the Verde River.”

“Construction of the Middle Verde Water Reclamation Facility, projected to begin in September 2024 and to be completed in the spring of 2026, will allow the Nation to develop much-needed housing on the Middle Verde Reservation as well as open the door to additional economic development along Middle Verde Road near the Nation’s Cliff Castle Casino, development that would not be possible without the expanded wastewater treatment capacity of the new facility” said Tanya Lewis, the Nation’s Chairwoman.

About WIFA

WIFA is a state agency dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of Arizona's present and future water supply through financial investments in effective augmentation, conservation, reuse, and water quality. WIFA is Arizona's administrator of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), providing low-interest loans and technical assistance to water and clean water infrastructure projects, as well as three new funds aimed at conserving water and identifying new supplies. Over the last 30 years, WIFA has proudly invested almost $3 billion in communities throughout Arizona driving sustainable solutions and helping to secure Arizona’s water future.

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