Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) 
1455 South Alvernon Road, Tucson, Arizona 85711

Salary: $54,000.00 - $56,000.00 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: July 9, 2024

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, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Lead Advocate. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services empower individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed, healthy, and meaningful lives.

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 a close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

This 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Build partnerships with individuals, families, and key stakeholders to promote recovery, resiliency, and wellness. Maintain strict member and family confidentiality. Communicate and collaborate with members and families to identify concerns and remove barriers that affect service delivery or member satisfaction.
• Actively collaborates and participates with seven AHCCCS Complete Care plans, two DDD Subcontracted Health Plans, as well as AHCCCS/Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) in projects, initiatives, and events. Collaborate with AHCCCS and the health plans in developing family and peer support services for our members with developmental disabilities.
• Develops, maintains, and evaluates service linkages with the community and participates in associated meetings with staff. Advocates for continued quality and new services as needed. Maintains current information on community resources.

Knowledge in:
• Warning signs of abuse, trauma, physical and mental health challenges, and substance dependency.
• Federal and State laws/rules and regulations pertaining to adults and children with I/DD.
• Wide range of community resources, especially those that tend adults and children with I/DD.
Skills in:
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Exceptional people skills and be able to work with children and adults from all walks of life.
• Conflict management, mediation, and negotiation.
Ability to:
• Sensitive to different cultures and be willing to learn about different approaches to family structure, behavior, and communication.
• Exceptional listener, able to ask questions and extract information that the individual may be reluctant to share.
• Maintain good judgment in crisis situations.

The ideal candidate will have:
• Master's or Bachelor's degree in family counseling, psychology, behavioral sciences, or social work or comparable years of experience. Experience with people with developmental disabilities or have a background in social work, legal aid, or counseling.

• 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).
• Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• Behavioral Health Advocate must have lived experience receiving behavioral health services and/or navigating a public behavioral health system for themselves or an immediate family member; and who is experienced in working with individuals including members with developmental disabilities, families, youth, advocates and key stakeholders.

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 Wendy Browning at wbrowning@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 wbrowning@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.