DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Address: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
2327 West Campbell Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85015

Salary: $53,000.00 - $57,000.00 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: November 12, 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 Mental Health Program Specialist 4. 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:
● Coordinate all the day-to-day ops during their assigned shift. Advises & provides info on member progress/issues, staffing needs/scheduling. Reads & studies instructional or info material in order to increase & expand knowledge base, specific to the members served. Reviews & evaluates the quality of services provided by staff. Evaluates work perf & provides feedback to staff. Admn & oversight for med admn & med monitoring.
● Reviews assessments of member needs and prepares progress reports. Collects member-related data and compiles and documents it in the required format. Notes other information pertinent to each individual. Conducts individual and/or group facilitation and/or assists in specialized therapy programs. Co-leads or leads in providing therapeutic treatment. Interacts on a one-to-one basis with members in problem-solving.
● Attends and participates actively in Planning Team/Treatment Plan team meetings for members in the transition setting. Coordinates and monitors each member's Behavior Plan and ensures that it is implemented as written. Confers with and advises lower-level staff on the ongoing Behavior/Treatment Plans for members.
● Assists in responding to emergency situations, including behavioral/psychiatric and medical emergencies, assessing a member's condition, evaluating physical status, and administering first aid. Provides direct personal care & assistance with w/daily living skills as needed.
● Serves as the liaison to the behavioral health entities, DDD’s clinical staff, and other providers involved with individuals living in the transitional facility. Discusses the concerns expressed by members and family members and listens and offers suggestions in accordance with program goals and objectives.
● Provides on-the-job training to subordinates. Monitors the competencies of staff and provides ongoing training as needed. Follows & ensures staff compliance with policy regarding safety procedures.

Knowledge in:
● Management and leadership techniques used in coordinating/leading lower-level staff.
● Mental health principles and techniques are involved in treatment.
● Principles and techniques used in teaching people with developmental disabilities in the area of daily living skills.
● The requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
● The methods/procedures and techniques used in developing Individual Treatment Plans for clients with developmental disabilities and significant behavioral/psychiatric issues.
● Problem-solving techniques.
● Body mechanics are to be applied when utilizing physical restraint in an emergency situation.
● Basic behavior building techniques.

Skills In:
● Teaching and learning principles and applying behavior-building and re-motivation techniques.
● Recognizing client disorientation, aggressiveness, and combative behavior.
● Methods of techniques in crisis intervention.
● Applying knowledge of body mechanics and interactions with the client when the client is out of control.
● Leading recreational activities and daily living skills training.
● Oral/written communications and interactions with staff, clients, and their families.
● Communication policies and procedures, and directions to lower-level staff.

Ability to:
● Implement and develop behavior plans.
● Provide specialized care, treatment, behavioral intervention, and security for individuals with developmental disabilities and psychiatric/behavioral issues.
● Interpersonal relations with staff, clients, the community, and client families.
● Delegate responsibilities, prioritize tasks, resolve problems, and handle emergency staffing situations.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
● 5 years of experience in care & treatment of individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability and behavioral health OR 5 years experience in Behavioral Health; OR Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or Counseling w/an emphasis in clinical work or rehabilitation substitutes for the required experiance; OR Bachelor's degree in above fields and emphasis substitutes for 3 years of req'd expriance AND 3 years supervisor experience.

● 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.
● Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
● Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
● 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.