CHILD & COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION (CCSD)
1789 WEST JEFFERSON STREET, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007

Salary: $72,099 to $80,081 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: June 22, 2026

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, Child and Community Services Division (CCSD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Policy Manager. The position is responsible for providing leadership and guidance for the development and implementation of the Division's policies, procedures, training, and standard work in support of strategic initiatives. Responsibilities also include directing subordinate work and contributing to the analysis and implementation of current and proposed state and federal legislation impacting the Division.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meetings 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, 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:
• Researching and analyzing departmental policies, government regulations, and legislation to develop new policies and plans or revise existing policies, plans or standard work for the division.
• Consulting with and advising leadership and staff on legislative, policy, and planning issues affecting division wide activities.
• Serving as point of contact with the Office of Legislative Services on the implications of legislative proposals.
• Providing leadership, mentoring, coaching, and direct supervision of staff.
• Providing technical assistance, reviewing work, and ensuring accuracy of work products produced by professional staff.
• Completing performance appraisals, authorizing leave, and approving timecards for staff.
• Working with division team members to analyze and interpret research and prepare reports detailing findings, recommendations, or conclusions on specific policy issues.
• Providing timely and accurate project status reports.
• Analyzing statistical data and reports to identify and determine causes of problems and develop recommendations for improvement of the division's administrative and operational policies and procedures.
• Coordinating with DES Policy Unit to design, evaluate, and modify policies to ensure operating procedures are effective, standardized and comply with legal requirements.
• Identifying compliance risk and recommend potential solutions to Division leadership.
• Communicating verbally and in writing with subject matter experts, divisional leadership, and external stakeholders regarding policy decisions, legislative analysis, strategic policy initiatives, and other matters relating to Division policy.
• Ensuring subordinate staff properly inform and train program teams on all new and updated policies.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with external partners, experts in the field, and other stakeholders with whom the division can link information requests, idea sharing, best practices, proven policies, and innovative solutions that are shown to be scalable and effective.
• Participating in division and community activities and conferences to enhance knowledge and partnerships.

Knowledge of:
• Applicable federal and state statutes, legal codes, rules, regulations, executive orders, and departmental policies and procedures administered by the Division
• Policy development within a government agency
• Federal and State legislative and rule-making process
• Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, project management, and resource allocation
• Leadership and supervisory techniques
• Mathematical methods, statistics, concepts, logic, and reasoning

Skills In:
• Oral and written communication
• Planning and organization and setting priorities effectively and efficiently
• Data collection processes, qualitative and quantitative analysis using multiple sources and research or survey methodology
• Public presentations to internal and external audiences
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, division management and internal and external stakeholders
• Making sound judgments and strategic decision-making
• Using a variety of computer software packages (e.g., Excel, Word, Power-point, databases, Access, PowerPoint, Google Suite, etc.)

Ability to:
• Write clear, concise, and accurate reports
• Grasp complex policy issues and articulate ideas clearly and simply
• Synthesize policy documents and identify key points, facts, and statistics
• Develop, execute, and manage multiple time sensitive, complex projects within defined scope with attention to detail
• Anticipate or recognize problems and issues
• Conceptualize and think creatively
• Analyze and interpret data and evaluate operational situations
• Build consensus on policy among individuals with different viewpoints

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Political Science or Public Policy or closely related field and three years of professional experience in a policy, operations, audit, or legal role; OR five years of experience as noted above.
• Advanced understanding of state and federal legislative and regulatory processes is highly desirable. Supervisory experience preferred.

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• 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.
• 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).

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
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee 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 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 email 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 OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.