Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)

Disability Determination Services Administration (DDSA)

4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: $104,000.00 - $120,000.00 Annually

Grade: 26

Closing Date: August 15, 2025

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 Benefits and Medical Eligibility is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Division Administrator. This position will report to the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) Assistant Director's office. The Disability Determination Services Administration (DDSA) is fully funded by the Federal Government is responsible for determining medical eligibility for the Social Security Administration Disability program. The Social Security Administration administers two programs that provide benefits based on disability: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI, Title II) and the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI, Title XVI).

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:

-Responsible for the overall planning, operation, administration, and management of the DDSA programs. Plans, formulates, and establishes guidance and direction for the Administration. Leads, trains, coaches, counsels, and mentors direct reports; Implements and monitors performance measures established by the Division. Directs the disability determination functions of 25 over 250 staff members with two offices in the State of Arizona.
-Develops and recommends to the DBME Assistant Director operational plans designed to enhance the delivery of services of DDSA programs including identification and coordination with other divisions and agencies, conformity with federal and state laws and regulations, and all other operational planning.
-Analyzes the impact of federal, state and local legislation; prepares positions statements and presents to the DBME and Social Security Administration senior leadership. Ensures uniform interpretations, practices and procedures are followed to provide a joint cooperative effort to facilitate delivery of services to the public.
-Meets with other state agency executives, federal agency representatives, and intra-department executives on a continuous and regular basis to ensure programmatic goals are met, operational and strategic issues are addressed and implemented appropriately in accordance with required regulations. -Conducts meeting to resolve issues, provide progress reports and set priorities within the administration.
-Works closely with the Social Security Administration to comply with their hiring requirements in order to maintain adequate staffing levels to ensure offices are operating effectively. Provides oversight, monitors and ensures the integrity of physical and logical security of equipment and software provided by the Social Security Administration.
-Attends conferences, seminars, and trainings as required

Knowledge of:

-The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).
-Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and the principles and practices of public administration.
-ADOA and DES rules, policies and procedures.
-DDSA programs administered.
-Federal and State laws governing SSDI and SSI programs.
-Full range of complex management functions of a responsible and confidential nature.
-Research, methodology, project planning, development, organization and work flow techniques.
-Leadership and team building methodologies, supervisory and evaluation practices relevant to professional and administrative staff.
-Methods used for creating implementing, and monitoring performance measures.
-Computers and related applications; Microsoft office products, Google Workspace, and other appropriate software.
-Public speaking requirements.
-Resources for program services across the department.

Skilled in:

-Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex federal, state, department, and legislative rules, laws, policies and procedures.
-Managing and balancing various management and administrative functions and presenting information on complex issues and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
-Composition of policy, procedures, issues, correspondence, and position papers.
-Integration; joining people, processes and systems.
-Critical thinking and being detail-oriented.
-Effectively manage and balance multiple projects.
-Effective time management.
-Performing technical, complex, and difficult work using independent judgment.
-Organizational and interpersonal skills including prioritization of projects and tasks.
-Navigate multiple applications simultaneously.
-Gathering, organizing, and summarizing information and data from varied sources.

Ability to:

-Review federal regulations and interpret the intent r application purposes.
-Analyze federal regulations for development of policy and procedures.
-Manage a diverse group of employees; direct, coach, counsel, mentor, listen, lead, motivate, delegate, train and evaluate.
-Identify and analyze organizational and/or procedural problems and determine effective solutions.
-Work with long-range and short-term visions and goals.
-Work with limited direction, independently as well as in a team.
-Effectively communicate and/or present plans and respond to questions from management.
-Exercise a high degree of discretion and independent judgment.
-Interact with other departments, outside representatives, and administrations.
-Organize, create, maintain, and complete special projects and reports with accuracy and timeliness.
-Manage and balance varied managerial and supervisory functions with a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
-Be pro-active and results-oriented.
-Handle daily demands, change priorities, and adapt to rapid changes in workload as required.

This ideal candidate for this position will have:

-Five years of managerial experience in the programmatic operations of a social service agency or a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or Management of Social Sciences.
-Additional experience may substitute for the degree on a year to year basis.

-HSPD-12 Background/Fingerprinting Security Clearance: All hires, transfers, and current employees of the DBME Disability Determination Services Administration are subject to mandatory fingerprinting and an associated FBI background investigation by the Social Security Administration under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. Not all prior arrests and/or convictions will prohibit appointment.

-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.

-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
- 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 Jason Hamm at 520-235-1130 or JHamm@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 520-235-1130 or JHamm@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.