DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: $80,000 - $92,000

Grade: 24

Closing Date: April 8, 2026

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 here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Compliance Program Manager. This position serves as the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) subject matter expert responsible for ensuring compliance with legislative and Division requirements for Group Home services. This position serves the Division's SME responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction by interpreting and applying complex regulatory and accreditation standards to an existing matrix system. Responsible for advancing the Division's accreditation through developing work plans, conducting gap analyses / internal audits, reviewing documentation for compliance, collaborating with internal/external stakeholders, leveraging data to plan and implement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with NCQA standards.

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing, Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with a principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the ongoing evaluation of program compliance with regulatory requirements, NCQA accreditation standards and other evidence-based practices. Monitor the continuous survey readiness infrastructure to ensure program excellence, compliance and accreditation maintenance. Serves as the Division's SME and point of contact for all NCQA accreditation efforts, working in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and surveyors to ensure accreditation compliance.
• Ensures compliance with all NCQA accreditation standards through creating, monitoring and executing work plans and projects, conducting gap analyses and internal audits, reviewing documentation for compliance, and leveraging data to plan and implement initiatives to ensure compliance with all NCQA standards. Identifies risk of potential non-compliance and gaps in compliance with requirements and standards.
• Participates in strategic planning with executive leadership and actively participates in and/or facilitates Division initiatives. Collaborates with the Division Assistant Director and other key executive leaders and stakeholders to ensure the integration of NCQA accreditation programs and initiatives throughout all areas of the Division and ensure timely and accurate application submission and survey activities. Coordinate the Division's response to findings during a survey, audit or operational review.
• Manage the information exchanged during a survey cycle; track data sources; and evidence submitted. Attends and represents the Division and its interests in required AHCCCS and stakeholder meetings. Notify functional area leaders if instances of non-compliance with evidence-based practices and accreditation standards are identified and coordinate the development of corrective action plans.
• Lead the preparation and development of accreditation policies, assessments and work plans, scopes of work, program & reports, trainings, presentations, and written and media communications related to accreditation as applicable. Responsible for the development of staff training related to accreditation. Monitors changes with regulatory requirements or accreditation standards and works collaboratively with functional areas to implement and monitor changes needed to remain compliant.
• Provides leadership and direction for the NCQA accreditation team. Provides supervision, mentoring, and coaching of staff. Facilitates regular 1:1s, team huddles and staff meetings, and other communication modalities with the NCQA accreditation team. Completes Performance Appraisals, authorizes leave, and approves ETE Time Cards for staff. Supports and implements all Arizona Management System (lean) principles or other process / continuous improvement methodologies.

Knowledge in:

• Federal Regulations related to Medicaid, Medicare, Federal and State laws, agency rules, policies and procedures for medical services in a managed care environment
• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards, specific expertise in NCQA Long Term Services and Support (LTSS).
• Systems analysis, design modification, project management, process improvement, modeling and research techniques.
• Best practice models for serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• The use of data for quality measurement, reporting, evaluation, and improvement and how these outcomes can be integrated into new models of care.
• Measuring and analyzing NCQA standard requirements and implementing corrective action plans and interventions to ensure compliance.
• Principles and practices of program/project management, and effective supervision/motivation of a leadership team.
• Understanding of various leadership models (servant, transformational, situational, etc.); motivational theories, team dynamics and change management principles.

Skills in:

• Driving continuous improvement across an organization by supporting and coordinating business change initiatives and activities.
• Conducting internal audits to assess readiness and compliance.
• Lead and facilitate gap analyses, quality and process improvement projects by providing direction and project framing, organization and outcome measurement.
• Strong analytical, organizational  and problem-solving skills.
• Computer expertise, including electronic medical record, word processing, spreadsheet and database applications
• Change management, project leadership and coordination experience.
• Solid communication skills (written and verbal), including the ability to concisely explain complicated concepts to leadership and staff within and outside of the agency.
• Writing complex and comprehensive documents, including reports, data-driven outcome reports, evaluations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively and set expectations and guidance to direct reports.
• Cultivate positive working relationships.
• Manage workload, complete tasks, and develop quality work products under tight deadlines.
• Problem solve and make critical decisions
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents, contractual provisions and rules and NCQA standards and/or other accreditation standards.
• Write reports, policies and procedures and technical and non-technical documents using original or innovative techniques.
• Make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to leadership, stakeholders, providers, regulator, state agencies, members and their families.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Independent leadership; effectively lead a high-performing team.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• A Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, public health administration, or equivalent experience.
• Three years of experience in health or managed care, responsible for accreditation, including one year serving as a subject matter expert or main point of contact.
• Two years of program and/or project management experience.

• 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. 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 operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11).
• 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.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave 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 Laura Kaspar at 602-390-5549 or LKaspar@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 contacting 602-390-5549 or LKaspar@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format, by contacting 602-771-2909.
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.