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.

ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS CHIEF HEARING OFFICER

Job Location:

Office of Inspector General (OIG)
2200 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
www.azdes.gov

Posting Details:

Salary: $90,000 – $105,000 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: April 8, 2025

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 ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Administrative Appeals Chief Hearing Officer. The Administrative Appeals Chief Hearing Officer (Chief) reports directly to the Appellate Services Administration (ASA) Administrative Counsel and is responsible for every facet of management and operation of the legal side of the Office of Appeals (OA). The position is responsible for directly supervising a team of Presiding Administrative Law Judges (PALJs), indirectly supervising teams of Hearing Officers (HOs) who work in operational units responsible for processing lower authority appeals for a variety of programs within the Department of Economic Security (DES), and supervision over a deputy chief if later hired.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's 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, 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 Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Supervise PALJs, and ALJs ; hire and select new employees; assign, evaluate and approve work product; train, coach, counsel and discipline. Track productivity of PALJs and ALJs through reports.
• Lead, coordinate or participate in special projects as assigned by upper management. Attends meetings. Works in close cooperation with Operations Manager to assure legal accuracy and consistency in support functions.
• Oversee and manage the appeal and hearing processes to ensure compliance with due process, statutory and regulatory requirements and timeliness and quality standards mandated by federal and state administering authorities.
• Monitor, track and prepare reports, data and other information regarding management and operations of the Office of Appeals to the Administrator, Assistant Director/OIG Chief, subordinates and personnel from other administrations, divisions and agencies.
• Research and interpret statutes, regulations, department policies, court decisions. Interact with legislative liaison, AG's office, Appeals Board Members, or other professional liaisons and partners as requested.
• Conduct hearings in person or on telephone, asking questions, making a record, making evidentiary rulings, controlling the course of the hearing and issue legally correct decisions based upon legal research.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations, DES policy, and precedent decisions for 20 or more different benefit programs.
• Extensive knowledge of due process, rules of evidence, rules of administrative procedure, rules of judicial ethics, and legal research methods.
• Legislative and administrative rule making process
• Case management systems such as ASA's Appeals Processing System, word processing systems, Clear2There, e-mail, electronic calendar, program databases, and use of a computer to