DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Child and Community Services Division (CCSD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $78,543-$100,101 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: November 18, 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!

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Administrative Services Officer 5. This position serves as a Senior Operations provides high-level leadership and direction to execute financial, operational, and strategic initiatives for the Division. The job responsibilities and accountability of this position have a high degree of complexity. This includes leading teams responsible for payment processing; facilities, fleet & equipment management; purchasing, reimbursements, claims, and other business-related functions. This position works with department and divisional executive management to identify and avoid liabilities that may place federal incentives at risk and/or compromise service for clients.

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 flexibility, autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, 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:

• Provide oversight and management of the Division’s Payment Processing and Business Operations Units. Perform the supervision of work assignments; establish work priorities; monitor the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the areas of assignment. Conduct staff meetings; prepare staff evaluations; provide technical guidance and expertise to staff.
• Oversee the Division's day-to-day payment processing operations. Assist with all financial matters including, but not limited to oversight of payments to providers for reimbursement of Federal and State monies, account reconciliations; and investigation of billing concerns.
• Confer with the Division's Business Operations Administrator, Assistant Director, Deputy Assistant Directors, Financial Services Administration and other Divisions within the Department on financial and contractual matters, providing analysis and recommendation, interpreting, and determining policy related to general fiscal and operational processes, drafting executive correspondence and serving as a liaison with external partners.
• Oversee the facilities management team and identify cost reduction strategies for modifications or improvements for all offices throughout Arizona. Advocate for DCC operational needs in multi-service centers and manage space needs in accordance with budget and staffing projections. Assure that realistic completion schedules are developed, documented, and communicated to all stakeholders.
• Ensure the Division complies with all legal and regulatory requirements; ensure that record-keeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies; report risk issues; maintain relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations.

Knowledge of:
• State laws, rules, regulations and procedures
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), cost allocation
• Principles, concepts, practices, methods, and techniques of government and financial accounting, internal control structures and fiscal management
• Payment processing and how to apply laws, policies and procedures related to subsidized payments for childcare services
• Methods and techniques of automated accounting systems
• Reference materials such as federal regulations
• Financial research methodologies
• Google & Microsoft software products

Skills In:
• Analysis, interpretation and communication of financial data
• Techniques required to maintain accounting records through automated accounting systems
• Supervision including interpersonal skills and imparting knowledge to others
• Oral and written communication
• Being collaborative and flexible, with a strong service mentality
• Being a team player who is committed to lifelong learning
• Examining, developing, re-engineering, and recommending financial policies and procedures
• Interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model

Ability to:
• Effectively manage teams.
• Be hands-on with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic, mission driven environment
• Motivate staff
• Meet performance measures while providing excellent customer service
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of policy and procedures
• Analyze and interpret data
• Build and maintain professional business relationships
• Demonstrate commitment to the social sector with a passion for the organization’s mission
• Demonstrate excellence in managing finance, accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting

This ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Four years managerial experience in one or more of the functions related to the duties of this position. Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business, public administration, or related field. Master's degree in one of these fields and/or professional certification (e.g. certified public accountant) is a plus.

• Employee shall have a valid Level One Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• This position may require 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. 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 us at 520-235-3174 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 us 520-235-3174 or OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.