AHCCCS

Address: 150 North 18th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85007

This position has the potential to work from a Virtual Office (VO) setting or may Telecommute based on the needs of the unit and at the discretion of leadership.

Salary: $90,000 - $100,000 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: 1

Closing Date: Open until filled

The AHCCCS Administration is the State agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance programs, and the behavioral health system. As part of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) Team, the Senior Associate General Counsel provides legal advice to the AHCCCS Administration regarding the AHCCCS Program and assists with oversight and guidance to the litigation unit and various divisions within the Agency. This position works collaboratively to provide legal counsel and representation to clients, representation of the Agency in administrative hearing proceedings, and development of litigation strategy.

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.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Provides legal counsel and business advice to various divisions within the agency on a day-to-day business. Performs legal research, provides legal advice, and prepares related legal documents consistent with state and federal law as part of the legal representation of AHCCCS. Drafts complex correspondence on behalf of various divisions and directly interfaces with external public and private entities, including state and federal government officials regarding litigation matters.
• Provides legal representation to the Agency in various administrative and regulatory matters and provides legal support to staff that represent the agency at administrative hearings.
• Supervises professional and administrative staff to provide support and leadership. Coordinates and assists with overseeing work performed by outside counsel assigned to various litigation matters for the Agency. Reviews and/or prepares case status reports and statistical reports on an ongoing basis.
• Performs review of proposed and current state and federal statutes and regulations, policy proposals, policies and procedures, sensitive correspondence, contractual provisions, administrative and judicial matters, and other materials affecting the program and advises the Administration regarding potential impacts.
• Reviews and analyzes trusts associated with applications for benefits for compliance with legal and program requirements including approving or denying trusts pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1396p, recommending amendments to trusts in order to qualify for program eligibility and providing oversight of trust reviews.
• Reviews Administrative Law Judge Recommended Decisions and assists with the preparation of Director Decisions and Final Decisions.

Knowledge of:
• Administrative hearing and rule-making process
• Legal research methods and principles and their application
• Legal aspects of health care
• Managed care programs
• Entitlement programs including the Title XIX and Title XXI Programs, grant programs and funding
• Principles and practices to resolve issues involving trust law in general and Arizona law relating to treatment of trusts in particular
• Ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees
• Arizona law regarding public records
• Arizona law relevant to rule making
• Federal and state laws and regulations, AHCCCS programs, policies and procedures
• Administrative law, contract law and tort law
• Relevant court decisions, rules of evidence and court rules
• Experience in resolving issues involving the application of State and Federal law as it relates to the treatment of trusts in determining eligibility for AHCCCS and Title XIX programs
• HIPAA privacy laws and regulations; Part 2 Privacy provisions (42 CFR Part 2)

Skill in:
• Writing/preparing complex documents/ reports
• Preparation of complex legal documents including pleadings, motions, discovery, affidavits or declarations
• Researching, extracting and utilizing relevant information and applying them to complex facts from complex problems, cases and assignments
• Utilizing interpersonal skills, sound judgment, oral and written communications, effective negotiation skills, and an adaptable, cooperative and persuasive approach
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong legal project management and facilitation skills, including project development, organization and prioritization
• Computer system skills, including advanced Microsoft Office skills and Google Suite
• Leadership and management skills

Ability to:
• Analyze and present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Identify and perform analysis/synthesis of complex issues and present recommendations and reports
• Plan, prioritize and organize multiple projects and tasks
• Communicate complex issues verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Utilizing interpersonal skills, sound judgment, oral and written communications, effective negotiation skills, and an adaptable, cooperative and persuasive approach
• Presenting cases and persuading administrative and judicial decision-makers through various stages of legal representation
• Build strong relationships inside and outside of organization
- High level of independent thinking
• Work independently as well as in a team

Minimum:
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school. Must have a current license to practice law in the state of Arizona and maintain a valid license to practice law in the state of Arizona as a condition of employment.

Preferred:
• Minimum of three years of experience in the following areas: Health law, Medicare/Medicaid healthcare finance, or prior experience representing state or federal agencies Leadership of business, program, and operational units of a large organization.

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

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.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child. Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career 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

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.