Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1400 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: 85,000 - 92,600 

Grade: 26

Closing Date: August 4, 2026

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes 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 Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Business Analyst Senior. The Senior Business Analyst is responsible for reviewing assigned business processes to identify and address operational, financial and technological risks, and to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and developing test plans to ensure appropriate test coverage based upon requirements per documented acceptance criteria. They are also responsible for the execution of the test cases and the documentation/tracking of software defects.

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 not limited to:

• Provide leadership to team members & peers by collaborating w/others; articulating ideas & viewpoints to mgmt, peers & others; driving the resolution of issues; & holding self & team accountable for results. Coordinate & oversee the work of multiple Business Analysts for large, complex projects & provide functional expertise to developers during the design & construction phases of projects to implement solutions per requirements.
• Develop test plans/scenarios/cases/scripts & data for multiple or complex projects to ensure appropriate test coverage. Execute testing based upon documented test cases/scripts & ensure apps tested meet customer-defined business requirements. Conduct user acceptance testing w/end users to ensure the implemented solution meets expectations. Document & track software defects as well as issues w/performance & usability.
• Identify, evaluate, and document business needs and objectives, operational processes and procedures, problems and requirements. Understand the business case and gaps in the documented business process (as is vs. to be). Leverage understanding to document meaningful user acceptance criteria.
• Identify, recommend, and facilitate process design changes by conducting business and systems process analysis and design at a complex level – focusing on quality improvement, data management, and ways to increase adoption and customer satisfaction.
  

Knowledge in:

• Considerable working knowledge of methodologies and techniques for systems analysis and design, business process modeling, requirements gathering, software development, and quality assurance and testing tools and processes
• General knowledge of policies, procedures, programs and business goals
• Proficiency with Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK)
• Working on large-scale projects as well as handling day-to-day operational requests from the business
• Project management
• Data analysis – must have proficiency with SQL, Microsoft Excel – preferably Microsoft technology stack (SQL Server, SSMS)
• Must have familiarity with an Agile Lifecycle Model tool like Microsoft TFS, Jira, Rally, or a comparable tool

Skills in:

• Responds promptly to customer needs; takes a customer-centric approach to problem solving; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments; manages difficult or emotional customer situations; fosters relationships
• Identifies opportunities for use of solutions to improve efficiency and reduce waste
• Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things
• Evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, consolidate details and extract to functional requirements
• Works within the guidelines of established methods; obtains, clarifies and provides information within established parameters
• Prioritizes and plans work activities; sets goals and objectives; uses time efficiently; communicates activities and results as appropriate
• Works with minimal guidance; regularly participates in reviews of assigned and completed tasks
• Customer service
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and change management skill to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships
• Agile software development methodologies using life-cycle tools like Team Foundation Server (TFS)
• SDLC and project management methodologies

Ability to:

• Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks.
• Work collaboratively in teams and across organizations
• Synthesize feedback and adjust plans accordingly
• Build strong relationships inside and outside the organization
• Effectively translate user requirements into business and functional requirements as well as test scenarios for projects of various sizes and complexity
• Develop and write technical documentation
• Define and implement best practices
• Work independently and adapt to changing circumstances
• Meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and work in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects simultaneously with great efficiency and attention to detail
• Exercise excellent judgment to manage conflict resolution and/or ambiguous situations
• Develop partnerships with the technical and business teams, utilizing strong communication and team-building skills
• Lead and conduct customer meetings and understand business needs
• Manage multiple tasks at any given point

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• PMI certification, Scrum Master or Lean or Six Sigma certification are a plus.

• Bachelor’s Degree plus ten years of experience in business analysis (or equivalent experience).
• In-state travel may be required. This position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. 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).
• Employee shall obtain and maintain a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card that meets DES requirements for a Level One card pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1969.

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

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.