DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

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

Salary: $53,000.00 - $56,000.00 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: December 14, 2025

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 Contracts Management Specialist 3. 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:
• Advises internal and external stakeholders on procedures for developing contracts or parts of contracts. Also works with program staff to develop scope of work that meets the Division's needs, writes solicitation components, service specifications and contract forms, prepares contracts and amendments, evaluates proposals, manages contracts, and provides technical assistance to program staff, contractors and applicants.
• Confers, advises, and provides technical assistance to management, statewide program staff and contractors on contract related issues. Attends unit staff and statewide program staff meetings, leads discussions, gives instructions and makes suggestions to resolve issues/problems.
• Meets with representatives of other division sections, state agencies and federal/local agencies to resolve contractual related issues and makes decisions based on Division policy and input from Senior Management.
• Researches, reviews, and interprets federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to administration of DDD Contracts. Asks questions, listens, identifies and suggests resolutions to issues/problems to assist with the development of DDD Contract Administration policies as needed. Instructs unit staff & develops manuals related to contract administration policies & procedures for DDD statewide staff.

Knowledge in:
• Federal and state laws and statutes pertaining to contracting including Title XIX (AHCCCS).
• Arizona Procurement Code and DES-DDD policies and procedures pertaining to Contract Compliance.
• Business administration and procurement practices.
• Contract management for human services.

Skills in:
• Program planning, development and maintenance of documents, forms and service specifications.
• Interpersonal relations applied to communications between District and other organization personnel, other agencies and services providers.
• Negotiations, problem resolution, good decision making, listening, logical and creative reasoning.
• Contractual data development, analysis and evaluation.
• Maintenance of complex automated record keeping and tracking systems; Oral and written communication; Using computer applications (e.g., full Microsoft Office Suite).

Ability to:
• Work independently and collectively with colleagues and team members.
• Multi-task and prioritize large quantities of work; strong analytical and decision making skills.
• Detail oriented; Highly retentive memory; Train staff.
• Organize work projects; Lead state-wide meetings.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Two (2) years work experience in a contracts related field including drafting scopes of work and writing contract amendments or extensions. Full proficiency in the full Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite is highly desirable.
• Experience negotiating and interpreting various contracting concepts is preferred as well as project management, research, and analysis. Case management experience 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 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
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• 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 pilot 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 Shobana Jeyaraj at 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@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 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.