DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Office of Inspector General (OIG)
2200 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Salary: $75,735 - $84,155 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: December 29, 2024

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit  des.az.gov; or click on the here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Appeals Board Member. This position plans, assigns, supervises and coordinates the work of reviewing Hearing Officers (HO) assigned to the Appeals Board. The Appeals Board Member conducts an independent review of written decisions prepared by HO at the lower authority, when a formal review is requested by an aggrieved party. As part of the Appellate Services Administration (ASA), this role conducts and reviews hearings related to Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Public Assistance (PA) benefits for multiple programs administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). In addition, this position makes recommendations to the ASA Administrator regarding legislation, policy, budget, human relations, staffing, supply needs, and IT support needs. The Appeals Member Board serves as the Board Chairperson on a rotating basis for a two-year stint for decision, review and administrative purposes.

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.

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.

• Review appealed lower-level decisions issued by Hearing Officers (HO) for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Public Assistance (PA) appeals and issue higher level decisions with affirm, reverse, set aside, modify or remand the lower level decisions.
• Research, analyze and interpret state and federal statutes and regulations, department policies, court decisions and apply the interpretations to the work product.
• Plan, monitor, document and evaluate the performance of Hearing Officer positions assigned to the Appeals Board. Mentor, coach, and train subordinate staff as necessary.
• Create and distribute statistical and administrative reports for work control purposes and as requested by the Program Administrator.
  

Knowledge of:

• Federal and State laws, regulations, policies, interpretations and court decisions in reference to approximately 40 State administered programs.
• Legislative and administrative rule-making process.
• Rules of evidence, rules of administrative hearing procedures, rules of judicial and legal ethics.
• Human behavior and psychology, techniques of supervision, and personnel regulations, policies and procedures.
• Theory and practice of management, State government and DES organizations/divisions.
• Google Workspace Applications (i.e. Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, etc) and Microsoft Office Applications, including Visio and Sharepoint.
  

Skill in:

• Communicating diplomatically, tactfully, and effectively concerning highly complex issues with a diverse group of people, including the public, subordinates, attorneys, and other DES personnel.
• Analyzing, weighing and appraising facts and legal principles and precedents.
  

Ability to:

• Reason logically and deductively.
• Write clearly about complex legal issues.
• Lead and motivate staff.
• Plan, organize and delegate work assignments.
• Impartially evaluate fairly and equitably of all employee performance, provide discipline and/or recognition, when appropriate.
  

This ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Experience practicing administrative law and representing parties before administrative tribunals.
• Unemployment Insurance and other public benefit programs such Food, Nutrition, Medical and Cash Assistance.
• Dealing with the US Dept of Labor or other federal agencies responsible for administration of these program administered by DES. 

• Juris doctorate.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in the practice of law in private or public settings, or experience as a Judge, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or Hearing Officer.
• If licensed to practice law, must be in good standing.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). 

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

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

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us Yolanda Knori at 480-435-0897 or OODHRstaffing@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Yolanda Knori at 480-435-0897 or OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.