DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

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

Salary: $70,000 - 74,360 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: November 5, 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 link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Child and Community Services Division (CCSD) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as the Strategic Planner. The Strategic Planner leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of divisional strategies and high-priority initiatives. This cross-functional leader coordinates with teams across the division and agency to ensure complex projects align with organizational goals, enhance program effectiveness, and support change management efforts. By translating a high-level vision into actionable, data-driven outcomes, the Strategic Planner cultivates key local, statewide, and national partnerships. Additionally, the role provides direct team leadership to diverse divisional staff and delivers regular progress reports and executive updates to CCSD Leadership.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meetings 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:
• Lead divisional strategies and high-priority initiatives from development through implementation and evaluation; Translate high-level vision into actionable, data-driven outcomes; Support change management efforts across the division. Review and synthesize data and information, prepare reports and presentations, and deliver regular progress reports and executive updates to CCSD Leadership.
• Lead cross-functional teams across the division and agency to align complex projects with organizational goals, facilitate problem solving, and execute special projects. Cultivate key partnerships at local, statewide, and national levels to enhance program effectiveness.
• Represent the Division in high-level committees, cross-agency workgroups, and external partner meetings to align inter-connected strategic goals and advocate for Division priorities.
• Drive an organizational culture of continuous improvement by establishing key performance indicators to evaluate the efficiency, productivity, and measurable impact of strategic initiatives.

Knowledge of:
• Federal and state programs including early childhood education, child care law, IDEA Part C and early intervention, and programs supporting economic independence including food and housing security.
• Change management principles.
• DES policy and procedures.
• Federal and state funding rules and regulations.
• Available community resources.
• Government practices, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation.
• Computer use to include documents, spreadsheets, and email.
• Lean principles.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging framework.
• Google suite and other software applications.

Skill in:
• Strong coaching, team building and negotiation skills for accountability and establishment of performance standards.
• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Skills in interpretation and application of complex federal and state laws and regulations.
• Facilitation, planning, directing, and leadership skills.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals, groups and organizations.
• Problem solving skills and making sound independent decisions.
• Computer application skills.
• Effective organization, time management, logistical planning, prioritizing projects, and planning skills.

Ability to:
• Work and resolve complex problems.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Work across partners both in public and private sector.
• Able to utilize independent judgment and independent decision making.
• Able to effectively coordinate projects.
• Respond quickly and effectively to resolve complex planning, program, and audit related items.
• Manage projects effectively with attention to detail.
• Take raw data sets or information and quickly analyze and implement solutions.
• Prepare well organized reports.
• Establish effective working relationships;
• Perform literature reviews/searches, and design, implement, evaluate projects for program effectiveness and enhancement.
• Application of change management and lean principles.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Posse a bachelors or graduate degree in business, social services, public administration or public policy, law or closely related field plus three or more years of experience in project coordination or project management (or equivalent experience). Knowledge of social policies and trends, federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to Child Care Administration programs.

• This position may require 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 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).
• 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
• 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

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.