SENIOR POLICY AND RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR

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.

SENIOR POLICY AND RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR

Office of the Director (OOD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
www.azdes.gov

Salary: $110,532 - $120,532

Grade: 26

Closing Date: December 12, 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!

The Department of Economic Security, Office of the Director (OOD) / Governance and Innovation Administration (GIA) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Senior Policy and Research Administrator (Policy and Research Administrator Senior). The DES Senior Policy and Research Administrator is responsible for high-level leadership, managerial work of considerable complexity, and for planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, evaluating, and partnering with colleagues, leaders, customers, and federal, state and local stakeholders to develop, prioritize, and implement strategies around the overarching vision of improving client outcomes and employee engagement, modernizing Department governance and service delivery, and mitigating risk through policy and process efficiencies, innovations, and cross-divisional alignment. This position oversees a team of governance leaders and works collaboratively with agency and division leadership while also supporting coordination with other state and local agencies, employees, the general public, contracted vendors, and community partners, to strategically align services and supports that serve DES clients.

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.

Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for management and oversight of complex projects of considerable difficulty in fulfillment of cross-system, high-profile, media, and large-scale requests for internal and external governance support as well as coordinating support for senior level decision making, ensuring leadership is provided complete and accurate information for making policy decisions.
• Through the provision of policy direction and oversight, directs cross-Department teams in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of policy, program, and operational processes and products, including deployment, change management and accountability system measures, in support of the organization’s vision and mission.
• Provides leadership and guidance to internal and external stakeholders and performs other strategic and analytical tasks in coordination with Agency leadership, including researching and proposing program innovation and flexibilities including waiver opportunities and alignment opportunities with federal and state law and regulation to improve efficiency and overall client experience.
• Accountable for the representation of the Department with external audiences, and extensive relationship building, coordination, and collaboration across federal, state, and community agencies for system-wide improvement initiatives, as well as with agency leadership and staff, advisory committees, stakeholders, community providers and general public on matters regarding the provision of DES services.
• Supervise Governance and Innovation staff as well as provide support to governance leadership throughout the Department; develops and implements training opportunities for governance professionals across the Department.

Knowledge of:

• DES, ADOA, programmatic rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Federal and state laws governing DES programs.
  • Principles and practices of public policy and administration.
  • Full range of complex management functions of a responsible and confidential nature as well effective leadership and managerial practices, and supervisory personnel management techniques.
  • Practices and principles of budget development, federal and state budgetary practices and strategic planning.
  • Research, methodology, project planning, development, organization and workflow techniques.
  • Resources for program services across the department and how programs relate to one another.
  • Conflict resolution and mediation techniques.

Skill in:

• Composition of policy, procedures, correspondence, issues, and position papers.
  • Oral and written communication.
  • Leadership, team building, and negotiation.
  • Working with executive leadership as well as division leadership.
  • Community and public relations.
  • Creating and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships.
  • Public speaking/presentation.
  • Fiscal data analysis, evaluation, and interpretation.
  • Analytical thinking and strategic problem solving.
  • Facilitating complex interdependent projects.
  • Time management.
  • Leveraging and coordinating resources for cost effective services.
  • Using a variety of computer software packages (e.g., Excel, Word, Power-point, Google Suite, etc.).
  
  Ability to:
  • Review authority documents and interpret the intent for application purposes.
  • Inspire, mentor, and guide staff towards positive outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
  • Direct the activities of professional staff engaged in governance activities.
  • Work and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Read, comprehend, and analyze complex information and make recommendations based on the information.
  • Interpret raw data and/or information, quickly analyze, evaluate, and implement solutions to increase efficacy and efficiency for programs.
  • Exercise a high degree of discretion and independent judgment.
  • Handle daily demands, set and change priorities, and adapt to rapid changes in workload as required.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, business, education, social work or related field and 4 years executive level or senior management experience; OR 2 years as a Bureau Chief (or equivalent) or 3 years as a Program Administrator (or equivalent) in a state or local government agency. A Master’s degree or higher may substitute for 1 year of executive level or senior management exp

• 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).

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 Benson Walker at (480) 318-4150 or email work@tuhustle.com.

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.