Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)
Unemployment Insurance Administration (UIA)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85009
www.azdes.gov

Salary: $32.0263/ Hourly ($66,614.70 Annually) 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: Open until sufficient resumes are received.

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 Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) strengthens Arizona communities by bridging and minimizing gaps to employment and independence.

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Performance Improvement Specialist with the Unemployment Insurance Administration (UIA). This position serves as a lead for complex projects and other functions of considerable difficulty in support of the Unemployment Insurance Administration's (UIA) continuous improvement initiatives. This position is responsible for creating and maintaining internal performance reports, performing daily data queries, supporting the development of performance metrics, participating in team reflections and problem solving sessions and supporting the identification and implementation of opportunities for continuous improvement.

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, 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:

• Lead complex projects, problem solving efforts and other functions of considerable difficulty such as serving as lead liaison, coordinator of call center infrastructure enhancements, supporting information technology enhancements and other process improvement initiatives.
• Create and maintain internal performance reports, performs daily data queries, directly queries or coordinates the response to data requests from internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure reporting and other data produced and used by the programmatic team or released to external stakeholders is complete, accurate and reliable.
• Prepare written documentation, reports and executive summaries for audits and other program reviews.
• Respond to inquiries and other requests from Executive Management, other department leadership and external stakeholders.
• Review, analyze and prepare all Self-Assessment audits, develop responses and track implementation of suggested recommendations to ensure that the self-assessment reviews are in compliance with the Federal regulations and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

• Knowledge of research strategies and tools.
• Knowledge of change management.
• Knowledge of project management tools and best practices principles.
• Skills in establishing, developing, and maintaining positive, productive relationships with individuals with and without a direct reporting relationship.
• Skills in motivating groups toward a common goal critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Skills in Innovating, creative thinking, self-motivation, teamwork/building, leadership, facilitation, training, data gathering analysis and reporting.
• Ability to Learn and apply the techniques and principles of the Arizona Management System to include process improvement techniques and tools to drive improvement.
• Ability to engage in appropriate verbal and written communication with staff and outside entities.
• Ability to demonstrate and practice discretion.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Three years’ experience in one or more of the functions related to the duties of this class.
• A master’s degree in business or public administration from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Experience with a business methodology that drives continuous improvement is preferred.

• 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).
• Travel will be required for State business. 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 Xavier Martinez at (480) 952-5930 or email xmartinez@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) 952-5930 or email xmartinez@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.