DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $100,000.00 - $107,000.00 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: October 1, 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 a Contract Administrator. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community.

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 with 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:
• Provides leadership, direction, and guidance to staff to effectively support the contract department. Supervises staff to perform responsibilities and functions of hiring, evaluating, training, coaching, and discipline, as necessary. Facilitate huddles, gemba walks and other principles of AMS. Consistently measures team performance, tracks and reports metrics, escalates barriers timely and adherence to applicable ARS rules and deadlines.
• Manages the Division's qualified agreement, this includes annual review, incorporating external and internal stakeholder feedback, coordinating attorney general recommendations, processing amendments, initial application process, contract action, and terminations and appeals.
• Develops and researches program policies and procedures to ensure contracting methods align with Arizona State Procurement laws, Rules and Division policies.
• Responsible for detailed legal reports, that require specific rule citations, and procurement authority. Requires meticulous writing and supporting evidence prepared for leadership.
• Collaborate and participate as lead on strategic plan initiatives and other projects with various leaders to ensure information sharing across all areas to create consistency throughout the Division.

Knowledge in:
• Relevant experience overseeing Federal and/or State programs, with specific experience related to contracts.
• Fundamentals of strategic planning, budget development, expenditure control, and accounting.
• Medicaid services and familiarity with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) contractual processes.
• HIPAA and legal provisions for privacy and security of medical information.
• Rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and State and Federal laws governing services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Federal and state legislative processes and management and supervisory techniques.
Skills In:
• Oral and written communication, interpersonal relations, public speaking, and cross-cultural communications.
• Directing resource development, contract management, and procurement.
• Team building, group facilitation and conflict resolution, and coalition development.
• Developing, implementing and interpreting program policies and procedures.
• Effective management of programs and staff.
• Establishing formal and informal organizational structures for delegating authority and sharing responsibilities.
Ability to:
• Effectively direct large, centralized, and administrative policies with attention to statewide and local impact.
• Resolve complex problems and work effectively in high pressure situations.
• Provide oversight and analytical problem solving to address large and small issues impacting contract performance.
• Support the evaluation and identification of quality improvement measures of programs.
• Motivate and direct others and establish continuous quality improvement metrics.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Bachelor's degree, with 2 years experience in Contract Management and 5 years progressive leadership experience.

• 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 operated 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

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 Wendy Browning at 480-273-9918 or wbrowning@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 480-273-9918 or wbrowning@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.