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 ADMINISTRATOR

Job Location:

Office of the Director (OOD), Governance & Innovation Administration (GIA)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $95,000 - $102,000 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: December 28, 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, Office of the Director (OOD), Governance & Innovation Administration (GIA), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Policy Administrator.

Under the direction of the Governance and Innovation Administration Senior Administrator, this position is responsible for work of considerable complexity, internally and externally, at the program and operational levels.

This responsibility includes; planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, evaluating, and partnering with colleagues, leaders, customers, and federal, state and local stakeholders in order to develop, prioritize, and implement strategies for improving client outcomes, and employee engagement, through modernizing Department governance and service delivery, and mitigating risk through policy and process efficiencies, innovations, and cross-divisional alignment.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meetings 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 Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Meeting with Department leadership and external partners on a continuous basis to ensure programmatic issues are addressed and implemented appropriately in accordance with required laws and regulations.
• Making recommendations for corrective actions to senior level decision makers related to program compliance and methods of operation.
• Providing policy direction and oversight.
• Overseeing and supporting of teams responsible for the development and continued maintenance of policy, ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the programs supported.
• Seeking best practices from other states and entities to better inform and innovate Department practices.
• Working with Human Resources regarding the hiring, evaluating, training, coaching, and disciplining, of staff as necessary.
• Seeking waiver and alignment opportunities with federal and state laws, policies, procedures, and practices, to meet the Department’s goals in the most efficient manner possible.
• Strengthening relationships and collaborating with external partners and stakeholders to deliver training and support.
• Directing and participating with federal and state agencies and community organizations to provide a joint cooperative effort to facilitate delivery of services to the public.
• Attending meetings, seminars, and training as required and acts/speaks on behalf of the GIA Assistant Director.
• Working with programs to gather, research, analyze, and present data to improve the representativeness to individuals and families served and the effectiveness of Department programs.
• Collaborating with program and operational teams to develop outcomes, metrics, and goals that ensure accountability towards the accountable, compliant, transparent, responsive, inclusive, equitable, accessible, and participatory delivery of services.

Knowledge, Ski