DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

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

Salary: $80,000.00 - $82,500.00 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: July 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 an Operations Manager. 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:
● Researches, designs, implements, and evaluates systems to ensure compliance with contractual requirements. Ensures work products are consistent with State and Federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing their content. Ensures Division is able to effectively conduct business through the development, execution, and management of contracts.
● Provides leadership to supervisors and staff to create high performance, service -oriented work environment that supports the Division’s mission, objectives and service expectations. Promotes a positive employee work environment. Manages, plans, organizes and evaluates the work of assigned staff and regularly monitors their performance. Provides training, coaching and resources for performance improvement and development.
● Maintains records of compliance activities and procedures. Assists with implementation of updating internal procedures regularly. Reviews teams to identify risks, perform audits, and track compliance with contract requirements. Recommends improvements to workflows to ensure efficiency and compliance standards. Provides technical support to the Division and Vendors/Providers.
● Meets with requestor and other subject matter experts regarding procurement and contracting needs for ongoing operations and projects, provides TA on matters of the contract process, standards, legal requirements, procurement code and contract options.
● Builds relationships with other units in the Division, Department, State, Federal and Local agencies, and vendors. Stays abreast of changing requirements, market trends and development in areas applicable to assigned responsibilities.

Knowledge in:
● Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS); Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), Long Term Support Services (LTSS) and Intellectual/Developments Disabilities (I/DD).
● Principles of effective management, supervision, leadership and training.
● Federal, State and Agency Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
● Principles, practices, methods and techniques of public agency procurement and contracting, competitive bidding procedures, purchasing, contract development, negotiation and administration.
Skills In:
● Assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
● Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound judgment in areas of assigned responsibility.
● Solve performance and personnel problems within the area of assigned responsibility.
● Identify waste, inefficiency, opportunities for quality improvement in service delivery and work product and effect improvement.
● Demonstrate a high level of competency in relevant computer and software applications including those related to telework.
Ability to:
● Gather relevant data and apply critical thinking skills in performing analyses and developing fact based conclusions and recommendations.
● Select appropriate methods, techniques and evaluation criteria within established policies and procedures.
● Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
● Work with diverse groups and represent the Division effectively in dealing with state, tribal, private sector, vendors and the public.
● Understand, interpret, explain and apply policies, Federal and State laws and rules governing procurement and contracting.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
● BA/BS in Business or Public Administration or related field and 4 years experience in contracting with at 2 years of demonstrated supervisory experience ; or 7 years of professional, progressive experience in contracting with experience working in healthcare sector and/or state governments and at least 2 years of demonstrated supervisory 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.