Address: 150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007

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.

Salary: $65,000 - $75,000  

Grade: 22

FLSA: Exempt

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Under the direction of an attorney, this position is responsible for conducting legal research on issues having a major impact on the agency and providing expert guidance and support to inquiries regarding AHCCCS' rulemaking process. This position performs duties of considerable difficulty drafting, developing, reviewing, editing, filing, finalizing, and maintaining the agency's administrative rules and regulatory agenda; five-year review reports, substantive policy statements and guidance documents for the agency. Provides high level support to attorneys, researching, drafting, tracking, and maintaining various documents and/or legal notices.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Research and analyze current and pending legal and other issues related to AHCCCS' rules and regulatory activities, including proposed legislation, draft administrative rulemaking packages, including Notices of Proposed and Final Rulemaking, five-year-review reports, and Request for Rulemaking Approval letters.
• Provide technical expertise, guidance and assistance to inquiries regarding the administrative rule promulgation process and the agency's continuous obligation to review/maintain the agency's rules. Monitor the timelines for multiple rulemakings, coordinate and conduct oral hearings, and track Governor's Regulatory Review Council meeting agendas.
• Provide support to attorneys representing the Office of the Inspector General, including drafting Credible Allegations of Fraud, Notices of Termination, Overpayments and/or Civil Monetary Penalties, and Monetary Recoupment Letters.
• Draft and track pending Director’s Decisions and Final Decisions to ensure that they are issued in a timely manner.
• Maintain up-to-date records of litigation matters in the Office of Administrative & Legal Services litigation tracking system. Process mail received through the Right Fax system and direct them to the appropriate staff.
• Maintain up-to-date records of motions, minute entries, orders, Administrative Law Judge decision, Director’s Decisions, and Final Decisions in the tracking system for administrative hearings.

Comprehensive knowledge of:
• Concepts, terminology principles and procedures of American law
• Federal & state laws, regulations, policies affecting AHCCCS program, and the operations and responsibilities of the agency
• The AZ Administrative Procedure Act, rule drafting principles, rulemaking processes, substantive policy & economic impact statement preparation
• Methods and techniques of legal research
• Use of statutes codes and other legal resources
• Rules, regulations and policies governing the grievance and appeals process
• AHCCCS program, the interrelationship between AHCCCS divisions and agency administrative policies and procedures
• Legal and medical terminology
• Arizona and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the basic legislative process, and Westlaw and/or Lexis

Skills in:
• Developing, writing, researching, & editing highly technical material
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including skill in writing complex legal documents
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in dealing with public and external entities
• Computer skills including utilizing Google Suite, MS Office software, ProLaw database, PMMIS mainframe system, office hardware such as fax machines, printers, copiers and phone system
• Customer service and discretionary skills (in dealing with angry, confused and frustrated clientele)
• Exceptional organizational skills

Ability to:
• Interpret law, conduct extensive legal research & evaluate legal/regulatory issues
• Read/comprehend a wide variety of highly technical documents & data and write complex legal documents/reports
• Critically analyze, reason logically & use independent judgment
• Establish and maintain work relationships with representatives of the courts and Federal, State and local government agencies
• Apply work management principles, and techniques, plan, prioritize and manage time, multi-task, communicate effectively
• Work independently and maintain confidentiality
• Develop and maintain positive working relationship with division and agency staff

Minimum:
• Current Arizona Driver License.
• Four (4) years professional experience working in a legal environment and a paralegal certificate OR paralegal certification. Acceptable paralegal certifications include an ALP, PLS, CLP or PP from a NALS or CP or AP from NALA.

Preferred:
• Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a closely related field and professional experience in government agency program administration, policy development, program compliance.

• 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.