AHCCCS

Address: Division of Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $150,000

Grade: 29

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Under the direction of the Assistant Director/General Counsel, the Chief Deputy General Counsel will provide strategic legal counsel and business advice to the Agency and serve as leadership manager of the Office of General Counsel, providing oversight, guidance, and direction of reporting units, including attorney staff. The Office of General Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the organization, oversight of the Grievance and Appeals System for the AHCCCS Program, the Agency rule-making process, and public records production. This is a hybrid position with the expectation of being in the office three days per week.

The 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.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Directly supervises and provides strategic leadership and management of Deputies General Counsel and their reporting units and of the Business Operations Manager, with oversight of their activities and performance to ensure effective operations and to enhance OGC performance, fostering achievement of strategies, goals and objectives and supporting and guiding the culture of the division. Provides guidance, coaching, development of staff, and project management.
• Provides legal counsel and business advice to Senior Management as well as the Divisions and Offices of the Agency on a day-to-day basis. Drafts complex correspondence on behalf of Senior Management and directly interfaces with external public and private entities, including state and federal government officials regarding programmatic issues. Serves as a member of the AHCCCS Leadership Team.
• Collaborates closely with the Assistant Director/General Counsel regarding legal matters including complex litigation, policy issues, Agency initiatives, and programmatic operations and with regard to directing the culture, operations, and strategies for the Office of General Counsel.

Knowledge of:
• Federal and state laws and regulations concerning Title XIX, Title XXI and other public benefit programs
• AHCCCS Program and health care entitlement programs
• Legal aspects of health care, including administrative law, the Administrative Procedure Act, civil litigation, rulemaking and the legislative process
• Privacy and confidentiality provisions, including HIPAA privacy and security provisions
• Public records law
• Procurement and records retention
• Relevant court decisions
• Ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees
• Personnel management, financial management, state budgeting process
• Responsibilities of federal and state agencies and channels of decision-making authority
• Principles and practices of program/project management and effective leadership of professional and administrative teams and subordinate staff

Skills in:
• Analyzing and solving complex legal issues and problems
• Drafting complex and sensitive documents
• Senior level oral and written communications and strong interpersonal skills in one-on-one interactions as well as large groups
• Leadership, management and supervision of professional and administrative staff
• Complex negotiation
• Effectively collaborating with individuals in positions at all levels
• Effectively leading and/or facilitating a team of professionals from within and/or outside the agency
• Conflict management and resolution
• Organizational skills to coordinate and keep on target multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Proficient in budget and personnel analysis and system design management
• Complex problem solving and decision-making skills
• Project management including project development, organization and prioritization
• Computer systems skills such as Microsoft Office or comparable software program to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint & Outlook

Ability to:
• Identify complex legal, operational, and programmatic issues
• Exercise sound judgment in making decisions and prove sound advice, act professionally and ethically
• Present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Perform analysis/synthesis of complex issues, presenting recommendations and reports
• Plan, prioritize and organize multiple complex projects and tasks
• Communicate complex issues verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Effectively lead, motivate, and develop staff within the Division, working closely and positively with staff, to achieve program goals and strategies, improve operations, enhance performance and support a spirit of cooperation
• Effectively resolve employee relations needs
• Determine goals and objectives for the Division that aligns with the Agency's Strategic Plan
• Motivate employees to perform well both individually and as teams
• Assist in plan development for process improvement
• Work independently, accurately and timely complete complex assignments, and perform under pressure and short timeframes with shifting priorities
• Work closely, professionally, and positively with the Governor’s Office, legislators, stakeholders, state and federal partners, and public and private organizations, including law firms and advocacy groups

Arizona Driver License

Minimum:
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school and individual must be admitted to the State Bar of Arizona and licensed to practice law in Arizona.

Preferred:
• Five to seven years of experience combined in the following areas: Health law, Medicare/Medicaid healthcare finance, or prior experience representing state or federal agencies Leadership of business, program, and operational units of a large organization. Three or more years of management experience providing direct supervision and overseeing the daily activities of staff

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

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).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child. Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career 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 pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.