Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1889 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $53,000 - $55,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: February 18, 2026

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 Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Appeals Specialist. This position acts as liaison to the Governor's Office, Attorney General's (AG) Office, Department of Economic Security (DES), Director's Office, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), and the courts on specific appeals, claim disputes and hearings. 

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing, Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family member with a principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Receiving verbal or written appeals, claim dispute and requests for administrative review from members, legal representatives, providers & other stakeholders. Reviewing appeals, claim disputes, and requests for administrative review upon receipt to determine compliance with applicable Federal & State statutes. Confers w/ DDD staff, members, legal representatives, health plan representatives, the AG's Office and other stakeholders.
• Analyzes documentation to determine if the adverse action taken by DDD complies with federal & state regulations. Prepares & provides written decisions in compliance with the established time frames, legal representative, health plans, DDD staff, the AG's Office & other stakeholders in response to appeals, claim disputes & requests for administrative review.
• Receives & reviews written requests for State Fair Hearings received from consumers, legal representatives, providers & other stakeholders upon receipt to determine compliance w/federal & state statutes. Coordinates & prepares documentation submitted to the AHCCCS in response to requests for State Fair Hearings. Gathers & prepares written & physical evidence for review by the AG's Office in preparation for State Fair Hearings.
• With the AG's Office, prepares witnesses for hearings. Testifies on behalf of the Div. at hearings. Represents the Div. at all hearings & approves all settlements reached by relevant parties during the State Fair Hearing process. Coordinates & monitors the implementation of all settlements w/Div. staff, health plans & other stakeholders.
• Communicates all AHCCCS Director decisions to DDD & health plan staff. Ensures that the AHCCCS Director's decision is implemented as written. Acts as liaison to the AG's Office, health plans & DDD in preparation for hearings. Under general supervision, exercising independent judgment within federal & state statutes, administrative law & policies/procedures. Ensures timeliness & quality of work products.
• Reviews the corrective action plan to determine compliance with federal and state regulations. Monitors the implementation of the corrective action plan to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Coordinates all deposition activities with DOA Risk Management, the Attorney General's Office, DES/DDD staff and other stakeholders. Testifies at litigation hearings as required. Represents the DES/DDD during all settlement discussions.
• Completes activities associated w/contract deliverables, including but not limited to monitoring AdSS during ORs & Oversight Meetings; reviews & evaluates documents, reports, & deliverables submitted by AdSS; aggregates AdSS info into Div deliverables w/AHCCCS; ensures timelines are met; reviews & is very knowledgeable of AHCCCS contract w/Division especially related to areas of their expertise & authority.

Knowledge in:

• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing the IDD Medicaid population.
• Knowledge of the Grievance, Appeals, and Hearing Process.
• Knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes, Code of Federal Regulations, and Arizona Administrative Code.

Skills in:

• Excellent oral skills.
• Interpersonal relations with agency management, staff, agency attorneys, consumers and their families, and the public.
• Applying good judgment to manage a high volume of volatile issues from stakeholders, the public, etc.
• Analysis, evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of programmatic information and data.
• Tracking time-sensitive litigation, HIPAA violations, and appeal resolution action items.
• Possess excellent writing skills with the ability to write technically, clearly, and concisely.

Ability to:

• Speak effectively and factually to the public, courts, leadership, etc.
• Prioritize work to successfully manage tasks and utilize methodologies for process improvements and change management.
• Analyze data and form sound decisions; ability to speak in front of administration, peers, court proceedings and the general public;
• Write technical, accurate and understand terminology in documents that relate to litigation, confidentiality and corporate compliance;
• Successfully manage tasks, conflicting priorities and deadlines;
• Investigate and contact the appropriate entities as they relate to HIPAA violations and litigation.
• Creating, organizing and maintaining case files adhering to all legal and departmental standards.
  

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Social Services, Justice Studies, Humanities or any related field.
• Spanish-speaking is preferred.

•  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. 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.) (R2-10-201.11).
• 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
• Paid Vacation and sick time.
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• 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 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 Laura Kaspar at 602-390-5549 or LKaspar@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 602-390-5549 or LKaspar@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.