PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UNIT MANAGER

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UNIT MANAGER

Job Location:

Child and Community Services Division (CCSD)

1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

www.azdes.gov

Posting Details

Salary: $70,000 - $77,221

Grade: 22

Closing Date: January 13, 2025

Job Summary

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 individual to join our team as a Contract Management Supervisor 2 (PDU Manager). This position is responsible for oversight, leadership and managerial work of considerable complexity in programmatic design, statewide technical assistance, programmatic monitoring of statewide contracts, coordination and alignment across the early childhood system, and participating in various statewide and community work groups and committees. Supervises a team of staff responsible for contracts development, implementation, and monitoring in alignment with Arizona’s Child Care and Development Fund State Plan and the State’s childcare system. Develops and maintains relationships with local, statewide, and national partners, conducts research on national trends and programs, and advances state level systems collaboration. Provides regular updates to the Division Leadership on programs and contracted services.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's 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, 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.

Job Duties

Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership, mentoring, coaching, and direct supervision of the Program Development Unit staff. Set team goals, prioritize and ensure accuracy of work, manage and complete performance expectations and appraisals, authorize leave and approve timecards for staff.
• Oversee strategy and program design and implementation in alignment with Arizona’s Child Care Development Fund State Plan and the early childhood system including contract development, implementation and monitoring. Includes development of strategic plans, analysis, and representing the Division of Child Care committees or work groups. Responsible for meeting facilitation and participation, and recommendations for effective policy and quality programs.
• Coordinate with DES Divisions, stakeholders, community partners and state agencies to identify, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate strategies to improve outcomes related to early childhood education and childcare in Arizona. Travel to childcare facilities, homeless shelters, and public schools as needed. Attend meetings, conferences, or events within the State of Arizona and occasional out of state travel as needed.
• Conduct research in early childhood education and development to gain knowledge of trends and practices applicable to strategic direction and program design; review and analyze data at the program, state and national levels to bring recommendations for systems change; and develop policy and procedures for statewide implementation of federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
• Prepares professional reports, policies, position papers, summaries or presentations reporting on trends and outcomes related to the areas of responsibility for various audiences including stakeholders, the public, legislature, federal offices, media, Governor's Office and DES leadership. Monitors budgets on an ongoing basis across all contracted services and programs. Ensures compliance with policies and regulations.
• Promote a continuous improvement culture. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of special projects, to meet strategic objectives and goals.
  
  

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Department policy and state statute, federal law, and rules pertaining to multiple childcare programs including Department of Health Services, Arizona Department of Education, First Things First, and other DES programs, early childhood community programs and or other resources which may be of help to families and or childcare providers.
• Early childhood systems including the early care and education and workforce development programs and systems.
• System change methods/techniques used for effective system building.
• State contracting mechanisms and methods for effective programmatic monitoring.
• Awareness and acceptance of diverse value systems and how to work with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds in a professional and helpful manner.
• Early childhood development, age-appropriate activities and appropriate methods for positive behavior support.
• Basic health, safety, sanitation, and requirements for early childhood and or family child care settings.
• Personal computers and basic software applications.
  
  

Skill In

• Leading effective teams, team building, negotiation, accountability and establishment of performance standards.
• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Interpretation and analysis of complex Federal and State laws and Regulations.
• Systems thinking and aligning and connecting work to advance early care and education systems.
• Planning, directing, and monitoring group processes, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals.
• Analyzing data, identifying trends and root cause analysis.
• Planning logistics and time frames, solving problems and making sound independent decisions.
• Utilizing appropriate computer applications.
• Working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, speaking or communicating across cultures.
  
  

Ability To

• Plan, supervise, evaluate and direct the activities of professional staff, establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
• Work and resolve complex problems.
• Work across partners in both the public and private sector.
• Respond quickly and effectively resolve complex planning, program, and audit related items.
• Research and perform literature reviews.
• Take raw data sets or information and quickly analyze and implement solutions.
• Prepare well organized written and verbal reports.
• Design, implement, evaluate projects for program effectiveness and enhancement.
• Develop and facilitate training, work groups and committees.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate meetings.
• Promote a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
• Promote continuous improvement and staff development.
• Adapt to changing priorities.
  
  

Selective Preference(s)

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s or graduate degree in social services, public policy, public administration, education, including early education, or closely related field. Two years of management experience. Knowledge of policies and trends, social issues, federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to Child Care Administration programs.
  
  

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Employee shall obtain and maintain a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to A.R.S
• 46-141.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
  
  

Benefits

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.

Retirement

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.

Contact Us

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Benson Walker at (480)318-4150 or email Bensonwalker@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 calling (480) 318-4150. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.