Office of Inspector General
2200 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Salary: $64, 350 – $78,650 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: March 19,02025

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, Office of Inspector General, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Special Investigation Sergeant. This position involves independently managing and assisting other investigators in complex investigations into fraud and abuse allegations related to DES programs and services, including claims of misconduct by employees and contractors. The position involves collecting data and evidence from various sources, maintaining evidence integrity, and preparing reports on investigation and prosecution actions. The Special Investigator will perform interviews, keep track of investigational documents, and write reports.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meetings of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• The role involves managing sensitive investigations into misconduct, fraud, and abuse related to DES programs, employees, contractors, and vulnerable groups, including financial exploitation, as mandated by law.
• Collects data and evidence from various sources, maintains evidential integrity, and prepares it for eGRC entry, prioritizing data collection, conducting interviews, interrogations, and surveillance.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies in complex investigations involving multiple DES Programs, external agencies, and suspects.
• May engage in various law enforcement activities, such as preparing testimony, and testifying during criminal trials and grand jury proceedings.
• Produces high-quality written reports, presents technical matters clearly and concisely, prepares and serves subpoenas,

Knowledge of:
• Applicable federal, state, and local statutes, Administrative Code, DES policies, and procedures.
• Evidence and elements of crimes; Interview, interrogation, and investigative techniques and procedures.
• Practices and methods employed in criminal detection and investigation, and evidence-handling procedures.
• Elements of criminal offenses under Federal, State, and local Statutes, and Administrative Code.
• Microsoft Office applications.

Skills In:
• Organization and time management.
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under stressful conditions.
• Collecting and maintaining data; critical thinking and analysis; creatively accessing information.
• Preparing clear, concise, and accurate oral and written reports.
• Investigations and interviews.

Ability to:
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Analyze and evaluate data and information, communicate effectively and accurately, both orally and in writing.
• Make sound independent decisions based on available data and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Communicate effectively and accurately, both orally and in writing, and provide testimony.
• Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License.

This ideal candidate for this position will have: 

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice studies or a related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.
• Law enforcement, Protective Services, or investigations experience is highly desired.
Knowledge of DES systems and UI policies.
• Bilingual skills are highly desired.

• In-state travel is required. 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).
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Must obtain ACJIS Terminal Operator Certification within 30 days of hire and maintain certification throughout the course of this assignment.
• 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
• 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

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 Shannon Anguiano at 480-876-0851 or OODHRstaffing@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 480-653-3041or OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.