DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

GOVERNANCE & INNOVATION ADMINISTRATION (GIA)
1789 WEST JEFFERSON STREET, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007

Salary: $60,000 to $67,001  

Grade: 21

Closing Date: September 7, 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 who 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, Governance & Innovation Administration, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Policy Analyst responsible for conducting legal research, helping develop policy, and updating DES administrative policies and procedures to align with current laws and needs. This position provides technical assistance and training to colleagues preparing rules and reports and also serving as DES Arizona Open Meeting Law Coordinator, ensuring compliance for staff supporting State boards and commissions.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meetings of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Gathering information and research from various sources; including State and Federal laws, Federal regulations, State administrative rules, stakeholder communities and other governmental entities, and any relevant historical information from the same sources.
• Developing and drafting DES administrative policies and procedures with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Policy and Planning staff, and DES Executive Management.
• Communicating with various entities to gather information; track development of policies and procedures, and compiling information received from sources.
• Ensuring policies and procedures comply with DES policy and procedure format, Federal and State law, and meet expectations of DES Executive Management.
• Assisting in developing and maintaining tracking processes to ensure all DES administrative policy and procedure is reviewed at scheduled intervals.
• Assessing policy and associated forms for accuracy and revise based on new laws, regulations, or Department procedures.
• Providing assistance to staff within Administration by gathering information and statistics regarding policy and procedure issuance.
• Working to monitor any new State and Federal legislation or amendments to existing legislation with potential impact on DES administrative policies or procedures.
• Researching Federal and State legislation, analyzing new legislation and determining DES impact.
• Working with DES Policy Manager to write analysis of new Federal or State legislation, or impact of revisions on existing legislation.
• Working with direction from DES Policy Manager to implement new DES administrative policies and procedures, including assisting with dissemination of information to DES personnel related to administrative policies and procedure implementation.
• Participating in policy and procedure implementation workgroups; and assisting DES Divisions and Administrations in structuring implementation of DES policies and procedures.
• Reporting status of and changes to administrative policies and procedures to DES Executive Management and DES staff through various formats, such as email exchanges, in person presentation, position papers, comparative analysis, and spreadsheets.
• Maintaining the DES policy library, including organizing and archiving policy documents, ensuring Internet and intranet pages are current.

Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of research, planning and analysis.
• Concepts of policy development and design.
• State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations governing DES and DES programs.
• DES administrative policies and procedures.
• Database updating and structuring.

Skills In:
• Research and policy analysis.
• Interpersonal workplace relationships.
• Development of policy to meet diverse needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Written and verbal communication.
• Coordinating and structuring complex concepts into understandable, cohesive, and effective formats.
• Writing professional documents for varied purposes and audiences.

Ability to:
• Communicate complex ideas and prepare and present information to diverse audiences.
• Accept, organize, and prioritize direction from various points of contact.
• Work cooperatively and effectively as team member.
• Review and provide guidance on policy and procedure development.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Three years of experience researching, analyzing, coordinating, and writing policy documents for an organization.

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• This position may require 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).

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

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

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 us at email OODHRstaffing@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 OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.