DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
Family Assistance Administration (FAA)
Policy Support Team (PST)
8620 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021

Salary: $29.6109/Hourly ($61,590.67 Annually)

Grade: 21

Closing Date: September 25, 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 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, Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility is seeking experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Policy Analyst with a particular focus on Family Assistance Administration (FAA). The Policy Analyst will be responsible for gaining an in-depth knowledge of Cash Assistance (CA), Nutrition Assistance (NA) and related Federal and State laws guidance. This position will also be responsible for collaborating with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). The Policy Analyst will be responsible for partnering with FAA leadership and staff to identify opportunities for policy improvement and writing new policy. This position requires a customer-service minded approach as you will often be asked to assist in problem solving efforts and answer staff questions on complicated policy issues. The Policy Analyst also has the opportunity to work on special projects where subject matter expertise, careful eye for detail, and strong collaborative skills are necessary for success.

The FAA Policy Team is tight-knit, positive, driven, and strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. We are focused on continually raising the bar in researching, writing, updating, and communicating policy. We have high expectations, and we love the work we do!

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting 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, and 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:

• Performs research, analyzes, drafts, and revises policies, notices, and forms of moderate complexity.
  
• Develop and draft administrative policies, guidance, notices, and forms.
  
• Leads and maintains the management of the FAA Policy Library, Cash Assistance/Nutrition Assistance (CNAP)
  Manual, SEAN (Chat bot) and other tracking mechanisms to ensure all FAA policies, guidance, notices, and forms are reviewed at scheduled intervals.
  
• Gather information and research from various sources, including State and Federal laws and regulations, State administrative rules, stakeholder communities and other governmental entities, and any relevant historical information from the same sources.
  
• Assess policy and associated forms for accuracy and revise based on new laws, regulations, or rules.
  
• Implement new FAA policies, guidance, notices, and forms including assisting with dissemination of information to personnel.
  
• Assist FAA program administration in structuring implementation of FAA policies, guidance, notices, and forms.

Knowledge of:

• State and federal laws, regulations, and policies and procedures governing CA and NA programs.
  
• Departmental rules, regulations, policies; and procedures.
  
• Principals of policy formulation, analysis, and evaluation.
  

Skills in:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
  
• Skill in gathering, organizing, and summarizing information and data from varied sources, creating and maintaining comprehensive reports.
  
• Effective time management, organizational, and planning skills.
  
• Effective interpersonal/relationship skills
  

Ability to:

• Manage multiple time sensitive, complex projects effectively and with attention to detail.
  
• Provide clear and effective guidance and direction regarding policies and procedures.
  
• Solve problems and arrive at sound, accurate judgments, and decisions.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Three years of experience researching, analyzing, coordinating, and writing policy documents for an organization
• Advanced degree in Public Policy or related field
• Have at least four years of programmatic work experience with CA and NA Benefits or in any other areas of programmatic services offered by DBME.

• 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.
• 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

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 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 regarding this career opportunity, please contact Alex Rivera at 480-910-0533 or AlejandroRivera@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 480-910-0533 or AlejandroRivera@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.