POLICY MANAGER
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona. DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona. DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. POLICY MANAGER Job Location: Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) Family Assistance Administration (FAA) - Policy Unit 8620 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85021 Posting Details: Salary: $34.6630 / Hourly ($72,099.04 / Annually) Grade: 23 Closing Date: June 1, 2026 Job Summary: 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 the ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team! The Department of Economic Security, Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility/Family Assistance Administration (DBME/FAA), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Policy Manager for the FAA Policy Unit. This position will report to the DBME/FAA Benefits Support Team leadership and is responsible for the review, interpretation, development, and implementation of new or modified policy and procedures required for the FAA to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP/Food Stamp), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Tuberculosis Control. The Policy Manager will develop internal policy, procedures, and guidelines, and monitor the successes of each. This position ensures collaboration with the partnering divisions and other state agencies for streamlining operations and improving services to our mutual customers, in alignment with AMS methodologies, to meet the Mission, Vision, and Values of DES. This position also partners with community organizations, advocates, hospitals, and local offices to maintain the integrity and continuity of the services DES provides. 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. Job Duties: Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: ● Reviews Federal and State laws, regulations, rules, management philosophy, and the agency’s mission to make decisions of considerable difficulty regarding assignment of work, complexity of tasks involved, and required outcomes. ● Manages a staff of professional employees and assigns work of considerable difficulty, which includes mentoring, coaching, and counseling through subordinate supervisors. ● Confers with Administrator, other section managers, and administrative staff in other administrations, divisions, or agencies for coordination of development or modification of policy and procedures and systems interfaces, as well as the changes or enhancements that impact our mutual customers. ● Partners with community organizations, advocates, hospitals, and local offices to maintain the integrity and continuity of the services DES provides. ● Participates in meetings with Division Leadership regarding priorities and progress updates. ● Ensures development and distribution of Policy Notifications, applicable forms, notices, posters, pamphlets, and numerous other types of informational materials, including updates to the various DES platforms, necessary to administer the social service programs noted above, and also to educate both staff and customers. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge in: ● Federal and State rules and regulations governing the programs administered by Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility; ● Policies and procedures established for the work unit, including administrative procedures and protocol; ● DBME operational procedures; ● Principles of management and supervision; ● Arizona Management System (AMS) principles and practices. Skills in: ● Reading, understanding, and interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; ● Presenting information and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; ● Maintaining complex record-keeping systems and development of associated forms; ● Writing and composition of complex issues and ideas; ● Research, analysis, negotiations, communication, and technical writing. Ability to: ● Effectively communicate orally and in writing; ● Read, understand, and interpret complex issues, regulations, laws, and policies; ● Plan, analyze, and coordinate activities as well as establish priorities; ● Reason logically and creatively to develop and evaluate alternatives and select the best from among them; ● Organize and prioritize workload to meet unexpected demands; ● Manage a diverse group of employees; direct, motivate, and instill confidence in subordinate employees; delegate, train, and evaluate staff. Selective Preference(s): The ideal candidate for this position will have: ● Five years of managerial or project management experience in programmatic operations in a social service agency or environment, OR a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or Management of Social Sciences. Additional experience may substitute for the degree on a year-to-year basis. Pre-Employment Requirements: ● If 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. ● 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). Benefits: 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. Retirement: 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. Contact Us: For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Meracle Cothron at [email protected]. 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 (928) 469-9234 or [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Apply To This Job