DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: June 10, 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 that 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, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Project Manager Senior. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community.

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 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:
• Plan & manage multiple middle to large-sized complex projects by utilizing the PMI knowledge areas, best practices & process groups & integrate the AMS to manage the strategic goals of the division. Anticipate "client" needs by clarifying project scope, develop the project plan in Microsoft Project, & propose solutions to their needs; continually seek & capitalize on opportunities to increase/improve customer satisfaction & relationships.
• Manages communications & meetings for projects & teams, creates change & problem solve independently; accountable for self & team; participates in prioritization of projects for team; minimizes exposure & risk across projects; possess expert knowledge in project management to identify opportunities for change & the ability to convey the need for change.
• Manages & inspires other team members; evokes creative & innovative thinking from team members while helping them bring their ideas to fruition; provides coaching & guidance for team members, SMEs & consultants to remove roadblocks & successfully complete projects on-time and meeting expectations.
• Develops and defines new approaches; challenges others to develop as leaders while clarifying roles and responsibilities; share lessons learned and best practices to develop the team as a whole; participate in strategic planning and building project plans around annual improvement plans.
• Develops methods to monitor project or area progress and develop corrective action plans when projects require them; report out on regular cadence to leadership the project status; handles difficult situations directly and using appropriate discretion; tactfully communicates sensitive information.

Knowledge in:
• Theoretical and practical aspects of project management.
• Organization's methodologies and tools; Organization's policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• Strong Google and Microsoft Office Suite skills; LEAN principles and practices .

Skills in:
• Interpersonal, written, and oral communications. Strong analytical, critical thinking and innovation skills.
• Building interrelationships among various internal and external organizational functions; Strong conflict management skills; Basic project coordination skills .
• Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks; Work collaboratively in teams and across organizations.
• Synthesize feedback and adjust plans accordingly; Organization and problem solving skills.
• Strong customer service skills.

Ability to:
• Demonstrated ability to respond promptly to customer needs; take a customer-centric approach to problem solving.
• Use time efficiently; communicate activities and results as appropriate.
• Demonstrate continuous efforts to improve and streamline work processes; Communicate efficiently and effectively with the project team.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders solving complex problems and handling large scale projects.
• Work in a dynamic team environment that allows incumbent to be responsive to changing goals and priorities.
• Manage several complex tasks simultaneously; Prioritize work assignments.
• Synthesize, summarize and analyze a variety of data/sources and formulate workable recommendations.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Bachelor’s degree plus five (5) or more years of experience in project coordination AND management (or equivalent experience).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

• 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 Shobana Jeyaraj at 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@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 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.