Address:  150 N 18th Avenue. Phoenix, Arizona, 85007

Salary: $130,000 - $140,000 

Grade: 01

FLSA: Exempt

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

As the State agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance programs, and the behavioral health system, the Deputy General Counsel provides legal advice to the AHCCCS Administration regarding the AHCCCS Program and is responsible for oversight, guidance, and direction to the assigned reporting units, including attorney and administrative staff.

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.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform legal research, provide legal advice, and draft and prepare related legal documents arising from AHCCCS divisions regarding the AHCCCS Program that may include, but are not limited to, compliance with state and federal law regarding the administration of the program, the public behavioral health delivery system, the administrative dispute resolution process, provider enrollment and claim dispute cases, the Arizona State Plan and Section 1115 Demonstration, eligibility matters, third party liability activities, trust questions, procurement issues, public records matters, privacy laws, compliance actions, protection of the rights of persons with serious mental illness, claiming of federal financial participation, managed care contracts and litigated matters.
• Supervise administrative and professional staff, including attorneys and paralegals, of reporting units. Provide support, leadership, and foster continuous improvement and success of staff within assigned units in the Office of the General Counsel.
• Collaborate closely with OGC Leadership regarding legal and administrative matters including complex litigation, policy issues, Agency initiatives, programmatic operations, and strategies for the Office of General Counsel. Collaborate with AHCCCS Leadership and management staff to address policy and legal issues.
• Supervise accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of drafting of Director’s Decisions upon receipt of Administrative Law Judge Recommended Decisions. Prepare accurate and complete Director’s Decisions as needed.
• Review, negotiate, and prepare diverse contracts and intergovernmental agreements to ensure compliance with procurement requirements; interpret contracts and advise and represent the agency in contract disputes and negotiations.
• Assist with the oversight and drafting of administrative rules consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, program requirements and Agency objectives.
• Review of proposed and current state and federal statutes and regulations, policy proposals, policies and procedures, sensitive correspondence, contractual provisions, administrative and judicial matters, and other materials affecting the program and advise the Administration, the Governor's Office and other entities, as necessary, regarding potential impacts. Collaborate with State and Federal entities, advocacy groups, law firms, and outside counsel as appropriate.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state laws and regulations concerning Title XIX, Title XXI, state based behavioral health programs, and other public benefit programs
• AHCCCS Program and health care entitlement programs
• Legal aspects of health care, including administrative law, the Administrative Procedure Act, civil litigation, rulemaking, health care compliance, and the legislative process
• Privacy and confidentiality provisions, including HIPAA privacy and security provisions
• Personnel management
• Regulation of managed care delivery systems and health plan and provider reimbursement
• Rules of procedure related to judicial and administrative matters in complex litigation

Skill in:

• Drafting and preparing complex and sensitive documents, including but not limited to, legal opinions, reports, affidavits, motions, discovery, and declarations
• Senior level oral and written communications and strong interpersonal skills in one-on-one interactions as well as large groups
• Leadership, management and supervision of professional and administrative staff
• Complex negotiation
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effectively collaborating with individuals in positions at all levels
• Conflict management and resolution
• Organizational skills to coordinate and keep on target multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Complex analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills
• Project management including project development, organization and prioritization

Ability to:

• Identify complex legal, operational, and programmatic issues, and proposed solutions
• Exercise sound judgment in making decisions and provide sound advice, act professionally and ethically
• Present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Perform analysis/synthesis of complex issues, presenting recommendations and reports
• Plan, prioritize and organize multiple complex projects and tasks
• Communicate complex issues verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Effectively lead, motivate, and develop staff to achieve program goals and strategies and improve operations
• Effectively resolve employee relations needs
• Assist in developing process improvements
• Work independently, accurately and timely complete complex assignments, and perform under pressure and short timeframes with shifting priorities

Arizona Driver's License

Minimum: Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school and the individual must be admitted to the State Bar of Arizona and licensed to practice law in Arizona.

Preferred: Five to seven years of experience combined in the following areas: Health law, Medicare/Medicaid healthcare finance, or prior experience representing state or federal agencies Leadership of business, program, and operational units of a large organization. Two or more years of management experience providing direct supervision and overseeing activities of professional staff.

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

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.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child. Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career 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

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.