DEPUTY POLICY ADMINISTRATOR

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

DEPUTY POLICY ADMINISTRATOR

Job Location:

Office of the Director
Governance and Innovation Administration
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $78,543.00 - $95,000.00

Grade: 24

Closing Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Job Summary:

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, Office of the Director, seeks an experienced and motivated professional to serve as Program Administrator 2 (Deputy Policy Administrator). The person in this role is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating administrative functions related to administrative policy governed by state and federal statutes and regulations and the Arizona Department of Administration. This role will develop and manage business services in accordance with state and federal rules, regulations, and guidance and ensure subordinate employees are informed of current rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Provide strategic, operational, and organizational support that cultivates DES' capacity for creating structures and processes that ensure the Department's activities are conducted in a manner that is accountable, compliant, transparent, responsive, inclusive, equitable, accessible, and participatory. Work closely with subject matter experts and policy teams across the Department to seek out and leverage best practices and enterprise-level solutions.

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.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Oversee and administer the day-to-day functions of the DES Policy Unit, responsible for the development and continued maintenance of Department rules, ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the programs supported.
• Develop policies, procedures, and systems to ensure productive and efficient operations.
• Provide assistance and support to the Senior Administrator in problem solving, project planning and management, and development and execution of stated goals and objectives.
• Monitor progress to ensure goals, priorities, and time frames are met.
• Set long-range goals, objectives, and priorities, and monitor progress to ensure goals, targets, priorities, and time frames are met.
• Manage and direct staff activities directly, including staff huddles, one-on-one coaching meetings, and employee appraisals.
• Actively seek out best practices from other states and entities to better inform and innovate Department rule-making practices.
• Strengthening collaboration with internal partners by delivering training and support, and partnerships with GRRC and SOS.
• Attends meetings, seminars, and training as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
• Leadership and team building methodologies, supervisory and evaluation practices relevant to professional and administrative staff.
• Comprehensive knowledge of programs administered by the Department.
• Rules, regulations, policies and procedures, Federal and state laws governing Department programs.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Research, methodology, project planning, development, organization and workflow techniques.
• Methods used for creating, implementing, and monitoring performance measures.
• Word processing, presentation, email, internet, and other appropriate software.
• In-depth understanding of resources for program services across the Department.

Skills In:
• Understanding and interpreting complex federal and state laws and regulations.
• Managing and balancing various management and administrative functions.
• Presenting information on complex issues and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Supervising staff, establishing priorities, planning, analyzing, and coordinating activities.
• Initiating and maintaining complex and difficult working relationships with a diverse group of staff.
• Performing a full range of complex administrative, managerial and supervisory functions.
• Maintaining comprehensive reports •

Ability to:
• Analyze federal and state laws and federal regulations for the development of Department rules.
• Coach, counsel, mentor, listen and lead in a fast-paced environment, while managing a diverse group of employees.
• Direct, motivate, and instill confidence in subordinates’ employees; delegate, train and evaluate.
• Identify and analyze organizational and/or procedural problems and determine effective solutions.
• Respond to internal and external customers with tact, diplomacy, accuracy, and appropriate and timely information.
• Create, maintain, and complete special projects and reports with accuracy and timeliness.
• Interact with other departments, outside representatives, and community groups/leaders.
• Exercise a high degree of discretion, confidentiality, and independent judgment.
• Organize and control long and short-term projects and define objectives and deadlines.
• Manage daily demands, change priorities, and adapt to rapid changes in workload.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Five years of managerial experience preferred
• Master's degree in business or public administration from an accredited college or university.
• May substitute for two years of the preferred experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• This position will be required to drive or use 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 checks; 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).

Benefits:

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

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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by the State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

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.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us at email [email protected].

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 Shannon Anguiano at [email protected] or call/text at 480-876-0851. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

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