DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $104,000.00 - $115,000.00 

Grade: 26

Closing Date: November 21, 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 link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as the CARES Administrator. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services empower individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed, healthy, and meaningful lives.

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or a close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• (CARES stands for Community, Advocacy, Resolution, Engagement and Support) The CARES Administrator oversees staff of the CARES Administration including: Customer Service Center (CSC), Provider Relations, Provider Publications, Justice Reach-in Program, Benefits Coordination, DCS Liaison Program, Independent Oversight Committees, Governor’s DD Advisory Council, Behavioral Health Advocacy, Affordable Housing Program, DDD’s Community Outreach Program, Communications, Volunteer Coordination, MSW & BSW Internship Programs, and the DDD Tribal Liaison.
• Supervises and manages the Customer Service Administrator, Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) Administrator, Outreach and Program Support Administrator, and supports the DDD Communications position.
• On behalf of the Assistant Director, review and respond to concerns and issues raised by individuals and families served by DDD. Upon receipt of the complaint or issue, reviews the specific issue, contacts and works with appropriate staff from various sections to gather all necessary information in an informal, confidential and non-partisan manner and resolves the issue notifying all parties of the solution.
• Serves as a spokesperson within the organization and community to promote the interests of individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members including planning and facilitating public town hall, staff town hall, DDD Governance Committee, DDD Member Advocacy Council, Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council, Independent Oversight Committees, and other special events and activities.
• Oversees compliance with AHCCCS contract deliverables and performance for each section of the CARES Administration as well as providing monitoring and oversight of the DDD Health Plans compliance with deliverables and performance for their Customer Service Center, Justice Reach-In, Housing, Outreach, DDD Health Plan Newsletters, and Member Council Activities.

Knowledge in:
• Federal and state statutes, rules and policies applicable to the care and treatment of persons with developmental disabilities.
• Title XIX program administration and operation requirements.
• Current concepts and practices relating to programs for persons with developmental disabilities.
Skills in:
• Planning and organization.
• Oral and written communication.
• Interpersonal relations and effective problem-solving techniques.
Ability to:
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals including external and internal stakeholders, the general public, and other governmental entities.
• Exceptional listener, able to ask questions and extract information that the individual may be reluctant to share.
• Analyze and develop effective management plans.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Preferably at least 6 years professional experience in the DD field or negotiation/resolution. A degree in public administration or related field substitutes for 1 year of the required experience. Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, advocates and governmental entities on individualized and systemic levels preferred.

• 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).
• 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).

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 Wendy Browning at wbrowning@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 wbrowning@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.