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.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST 1

Job Location:

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
400 West Congress Street, Tucson, Arizona 85701

Posting Details:

Salary: $42,000-$43,000 

Grade: 16

Closing Date: February 22, 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 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 Business Specialist 1. This position is responsible for the full purchasing responsibilities for the district.

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 a principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Creates and processes all district purchasing and supply request orders, in excess of $10 million/year; delegated authority to determine appropriate purchasing decisions for simple and complex district needs for ongoing, one-time and emergency requests.
• Maintaining a payment log to ensure timely payments are made to the vendor. Troubleshoot and resolved all purchasing discrepancies and issues as identified and necessary to fulfill all purchasing responsibilities for the District. Works through resolutions with any invoices received without a corresponding purchase order; follows up with vendors and staff to ensure all documentation is present for processing invoices and payments.
• Processes purchasing invoices; ensuring proper documentation is received showing receipts of purchased goods; items, quantities, and cost match the purchase order; invoice follows the purchase order outline; invoices are processed timely.
• Working with district management and staff to receive and analyze purchasing requests of a vast variety of commodities and services, including but not limited to materials, furniture, equipment, medical supplies, vehicles, services, capital needs, etc. Researchers state that contracted vendors and review supply agreements, vendor lists and catalogs for the best prices.
• Obtaining quotes as needed; establishing open and one-time purchase orders (POs) as necessary; sending hard copies of POs to requesting staff; follow up with staff to ensure receipt of purchases; obtaining copies of packing slips/invoices, etc; completing receipts for vendor payment; maintaining up-to-date purchasing log.
• Processing hotel and travel arrangements for district staff attending training and conferences in accordance with division parameters. Create Purchase Orders with frequently used hotels/geographic regions. Maintain and update log of all travel arrangements; then process receipts for payment.
• Writes detailed specifications for items/services not available through State purchase contracts, working with the requester to refine specs, prepare invitations to bid, contact vendors to obtain quotes, determine which vendor will be used for the purchase, and works with the vendor to get registered in the State procurement system.
• Assist with Translation services utilization tracking and