DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1400 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $65,000 - $71,000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: August 12, 2026

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizona stronger by helping Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable? The Arizona Department of Economic Security (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 Performance Improvement Specialist. 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:

• Produces ad hoc data analysis and reports. Develops data tracking solutions using Google suite of products based on the project needs. Develops and administers performance dashboards, reporting, and data visualization for CMO office. Develops visual representation of tracking and trending data for evaluation.
• Researches best practices and supports developing the solutions and recommendations for current business operations. Ensures each project has standard work documents and requirements. Analyzes work processes and makes recommendations for process improvement; designs and modifies automated and manual systems for specific applications; Assists in developing or implementing systems to capture business operation info.
• Consults with Chief Medical Office staff and other agency staff to gather and validate business requirements. Participates in and/or supports work planning processes, projects and development opportunities related to data tracking solutions. Assists with monthly and quarterly analyses and provides the timely submissions to internal stakeholders.
• Researches business issues and models including key design features to minimize data errors aid in analyzing issues identified in the review of healthcare data and integration of solutions throughout the organization. Participates in and/or supports work planning processes, projects and development opportunities related to data tracking solutions.

Knowledge in:

• DES Division of Developmental Disabilities functions, requirements and the needs of its members
• Governmental organizational structures, including the principles and practices of public administration.
• Techniques and principles of systems analysis, design modification, project management, process improvement modeling, and research techniques.
• Data gathering, storage, and analysis principles
• Project management principles
• Medicare/Medicaid requirements
• Continuous improvement principles
• CMS/HEDIS measure performance

Skills In:

• Expressing ideas and information concisely with all levels of the organization.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing, developing and maintaining positive, productive relationships with individuals that may have conflicting goals.
• Motivating groups toward common goals.
• Leveraging influence to find consensus and buy-in for effective solutions.
• Management of multiple projects/duties concurrently
• Organizing the work of multiple projects
• Data dashboard and metric design
• Meeting facilitation

Ability to:

• Balance the needs of multiple stakeholders and shareholders.
• Advise colleagues on process improvement concepts, including practical application and analysis tools.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and approach management with recommendations.
• Work with diverse internal/external customers
• Self-determine priorities and complete projects

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree preferred. Work experience of one year within the Division may substitute for degree requirement. Experience with Business Intelligence(BI) dashboard development (Looker preferred). Experience with Microsoft Excel/ Google sheets formulas, pivot tables & charts, data analysis, and reporting. Some experience with transforming and cleaning data.

• 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).
• 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 Laura Kaspar at (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@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 (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.