PROGRAM PROJECT SPECIALIST 2 - UNIT LEAD

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 PROJECT SPECIALIST 2 - UNIT LEAD

Job Location: Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

Administrative Review Unit (ARU)

Location is Based on Closest Client-Facing Office to Successful Candidate's Arizona Residence Posting Details: Salary: $36,779 - $46,778

Grade: 19

Closing Date: March 9, 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 DES, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Program Project Specialist 2 - Unit Lead with the Administrative Review Unit (ARU). This position is responsible for functioning as unit lead for a group of employees providing administrative review of child support cases as assigned pursuant to policy, procedures, federal and state rules, guidelines and statutory requirements.

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.

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide training and coaching to Child Support Officers.
• Troubleshoot difficult and complex cases; apply necessary adjustments.
• Carry a small caseload.
• Handle elevated issues, high-level calls or inquiries to include the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement referrals.
• Determine if contested requests are to be denied or approved; issue written determinations regarding requests as needed.
• Prepare a variety of technical and administrative reports.
• Represent the agency at meetings with other governmental jurisdictions and before various community groups.
  
  

Knowledge In

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Leadership principles and practices, including establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working in a team environment.
• Customer/client databases, social services case management systems, and customer financial accounts.
• Written and verbal communication techniques related to customer service, including active listening, and effectively managing electronic communication tools.
  
  

Skills In

• Meeting established state and federal timeframes to resolve questions, issues, and discrepancies.
• Analyzing data, case management, and document preparation.
• Monitoring and tracking automated activity to accurately update an automated case management system.
  
  

Ability To

• Review and evaluate case management activities to provide technical assistance, expertise, and to ensure effective and efficient management of administrative review requests.
• Follow set policies and procedures and communicate with leadership when existing practices do not align with established policies to ensure timeliness, data reliability, and accuracy.
• Manage competing priorities to meet performance measures; work independently to make decisions that inform leadership and support the work of the Administrative Review Unit.
  
  

Selective Preference(s)

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Skills in leadership; coaching and mentoring
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a child support role
• Preferred knowledge of child support processes, including enforcement actions, past due child support and assigned support, administrative actions; Federal and State statutes; court order interpretation
  
  

Pre-Employment Requirements

- Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-

mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

• Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• If this position requires 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.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
  
  

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 Jeremy Einwalter at (480) 640-8919 or JEinwalter@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 (602) 542-8900. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.