DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Address: 1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $89,499.90 / Annually 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 6/23/2026

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 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!

This position serves as Deputy Program Administrator over an administration of investigative staff, supervisors, managers and support staff. Under direction of the Program Administrator, this position is responsible for oversight and management of various levels of APS leadership ensuring the extensive programmatic needs and services to vulnerable adults are met. This involves identification of program development and process improvement initiatives for the continuously growing aging, vulnerable and incapacitated adult population throughout Arizona. Maintains, tracks and ensures resources are available for the vast and growing number of individuals needing numerous services. 

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.

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

• Supervision of direct reports. Confer and meet with staff on a regular basis to enhance skills and professional development. Review and approve relevant personnel actions pertaining to hiring, annual performance reviews, and oversee disciplinary actions. Ensure staff understand customer needs, identify problems, improve processes, and measure results. Identify training needs for staff.
• Assists in the development and implementation of training strategies and in improving productivity using AMS strategies. Help establish process improvements within APS by assisting, developing, and collaborating with AIP activities. Acts in the Program Administrator's absence.
• Monitor ongoing operation of all investigative units using data analysis, reports, quality assurance reviews, and via local office visits to assess how to best and effectively use the extensive fiscal resources and handle extensive public usage of services. Assist with development and maintenance of a comprehensive APS Program including executing the 5-year strategic plan. In-state travel.
• Identify needs to enhance program development and process improvement according to best practices and evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of APS program and client outcomes. Measure performance metrics for continuous improvement and fiscal responsibility. Ensure integrity of programs for our increasing vulnerable client population needs. Participate in and develop continuous quality improvement processes.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with all APS offices, community stakeholders, including other DES divisions, law enforcement and state agencies, which can be instrumental in contributing to efficient service delivery and identify service gaps and best practices to improve client outcomes.

Knowledge of:
• Applicable federal and state statutes, DES and Adult Protective Services policies and procedures, ADOA personnel rules and regulations
• State resources and contract providers in the aging, mental health, and disabilities networks
• Change management techniques, strategic and long-range planning
• Practices and principles of effective management, case management and methodology

Skill in:
• Oral and written communication and active listening
• Organizational structure and management techniques
• Planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating service programs through subordinate managers
• Handling community and public relations; giving public presentations and training.

Ability to:
• Develop district program goals and management plans, set priorities, and manage a varied workload
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution, resource allocation and usage
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and members of the
• community
• Take data or information and analyze, evaluate, interpret, and implement solutions to increase efficacy and efficiency

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, Criminology, or related field and 3 years’ managerial work experience in social services programs, human services field, field of aging, or law enforcement; OR
• 1 year of experience as a District Program Manager 1 in AZ state gov; OR
• 7 yrs managerial work experience noted above. Must have 2 years’ leadership experience managing through subordinate managers or supervisors

• 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.) R2-10-207.11).
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• A.R.S. 41-1968 Employee shall have a valid, unrestricted Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults, prior to the start of their employment.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• 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

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

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 Brenda Cruz at 480-493-9033 or BCruz@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 Brenda Cruz at 480-493-9033 or BCruz@azdes.gov.

Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.