Benefit Support Team
Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
8620 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021

Salary: $45.4808 Hourly ($94,600.06 Annual)  

Grade: 24

Closing Date: June 29, 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, Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility, Benefit Support Team (BST). is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Program Support Administrator. This position will play a key role in senior-level decision-making related to program compliance and methods of operations. As the Deputy Program Administrator, within the Division’s support operations, the incumbent is responsible for directing strategic discussions on programmatic and operational decisions with division management, and responsible for executing management decisions within FAA.

This position will work in conjunction with the Division Administrator through subordinate Program Managers, and other section managers, to plan, organize, and direct the daily support operations within the division. The position will be required to maintain a direct confidential working relationship with department executives. The position is responsible for establishing and maintaining direct, confidential, and collaborative relationships with department executives on highly visible, time-sensitive, and complex regulatory issues. This also includes planning and directing special projects to develop and implement operational improvements and changes in support of the Division’s programs. The programs include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid (through an Intergovernmental Agreement [IGA] with the AHCCCS Administration), and Tuberculosis Control (TC).This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and the 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.

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:

• Resolves confidential matters involving case processing issues, staff replacement, disciplinary actions, section performance issues, trends, policy directives, service delivery, continuous quality and timeliness improvements, program and fiscal analysis and division strategic plan. Mentors, coaches and counsels subordinate RPM's, the DBME/FNA Project Coordinator, and the Legislative/Rules Analysts, discusses employee issues, such as discipline, internal investigations, grievances, appeals, etc.
• Meets with division leadership and external partners to ensure programmatic issues are addressed and implemented appropriately in accordance with required regulations.
• Responsible for coordination and senior level decision making related to program compliance, methods of operation and makes recommendations for corrective actions. Provides policy, legislative, and programmatic rules direction and oversight, directing the establishment of goals, major priorities, and advising on the development of strategies and resolution of major issues.
• Represents the division on committees and task forces; participates in meetings with federal, state, local government officials, private agencies and community groups concerning implementation and development of new and existing programs and objectives, policies and procedures, as determined by the Division, and assessments of the community needs.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of Federal and State rules and regulation governing the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility, including how programs across divisions are inter-related.
• Considerable knowledge of principles of leadership, management, supervision, and team building methodologies.
• Considerable knowledge of communication, conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation, persuasion, collaboration techniques, including the Arizona Management System (AMS) methodologies.
• Google and Microsoft Office software products (documents, sheets, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GMail, Meets), including other computer programs utilized by DBME for eligibility determinations, such as AZTECS and HEAplus.

Skills in:

• Skill in reading, understanding and interpretation of laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Skill in presenting information and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, including the skill to listen to others as well as suggestions made.
• Skill in reviewing, understanding, analyzing and monitoring complex programs.
• Reason logically and creatively to develop and evaluate alternatives and select the best alternative from among them, including the utilization of negotiation skills.
• Organize and prioritize workload to meet unexpected demands.

Ability to:

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret complex issues, laws, rules, regulations, and policies, including effectively communicating the information both orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, analyze and coordinate activities as well as establish priorities, develop procedures, listen and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• To plan, analyze, and coordinate activities, establish priorities for managers, coach, counsel, mentor, and lead in a complex, high volume, quality/quantity driven environment.
• To model integrity, confidentiality, and lead following the DES Mission and Vision, and instill these values in others.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Five (5) years of managerial experience, or ten (10) years of supervisory experience in the programmatic operations in a social service agency or environment, or a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or Management of Social Sciences. Additional experience may substitute for the degree on a year-to-year basis.

• This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirments 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
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed Foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• 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 regarding this career opportunity, please contact Daniel Almeida at 480-309-1564 or DAlmeida@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 480-309-1564 or DAlmeida@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.