DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Child and Community Services Division (CCSD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
www.azdes.gov

Salary: $40,496 - $56,454 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: April 8, 2025

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) / Child and Community Services Division (CCSD) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Project Manager. The Project Manager provides oversight and management of long-term and complex projects of considerable difficulty, assisting leadership with strategic deployment efforts including, but not limited to, creation and stewardship of administration operational plans, reviewing existing policy for legal and operational impact, proposing new or updated policies as necessary, assists in monitoring financial activities including revenues, expenditures, appropriations, budgeting and obligations.

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:
• Plans and directs activities of multi-faceted projects of limited duration. Evaluates progress and resolves difficulties including those crossing departmental lines. Provides project leadership and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assists Leadership with the development and implementation of project action plans in order to meet Annual Improvement Priorities. Operationalize goals and objectives by developing pertinent projects, and the associated metrics and indicators, within the strategic plan. Conduct periodic action/project plan reviews. Produce periodic reports for leadership regarding progress.
• Evaluates the effects of current and pending legislation impacting analyzed programs. Develops responses and legislative proposals.
• Partner with quality and compliance functions to review findings of Performance Audits, and design controls to mitigate findings and reduce operational risk.
• Prepare and present reports to the Executive Leadership and others as needed. Develop and present reports, presentations, events and other communications.

Knowledge of:
• Project management methodology and the system development life cycle, the qualitative and quantitative principles, research methods and reporting techniques used in analytical reviews.
• Office Applications such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Principles of strategic planning, policy analysis, program evaluation, and resource allocation.
• Business and/or public administration with emphasis on effective planning, organization, and management.
• Contemporary business methods, state government procedures and practices in addition to applicable legislation, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• State and federal government laws, regulations, organization and procedure.
• Change management principles.
• Contract development, evaluation and management.

Skill in:
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Comprehension, analysis, interpretation and reconciliation of complex legal and strategic data.
• Development and implementation of project and work plans.
• Interpretation and drafting policies and procedures.
• Effective time management.
• Public speaking and presentation.
• High degree of skill in analyzing data, policies, and research information.
• Negotiation, resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong structured problem-solving skills.

Ability to:
• Ability to complete complex analytic work.
• Handle multiple projects efficiently, determining priority and delegating when appropriate.
• Lead and motivate diverse group.
• Analyze policies, programs, and initiatives, and make improvement recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals at all levels and with internal and external groups.
• Respond quickly and effectively to resolve complex program and project related items.
• Utilize raw data sets of information and quickly analyze and implement solutions.
• Prepare well organized reports.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor’s degree plus one or more years of experience in project coordination (or equivalent experience).

• 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 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.