Address: 150 N. 18th Ave Phoenix AZ 85007

Must reside in Arizona.

Salary: $49000 - $51000

Grade: 19

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position requires in-state travel in the Tucson Metropolitan area up to approximately 50% of the time. Candidate may be eligible for remote work based in the Tucson Metropolitan area.

A career in public service awaits you. COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

A great benefit of working for the State of Arizona is a fantastic work/life balance. State employees enjoy challenging work popular remote work options comprehensive health and wellness benefits and career growth opportunities.

What Youll Do:

This position will be responsible for the delivery of Special Assistance to individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) determination with an identified need (as defined by A.A.C. R) in the Tucson Metropolitan area with activities that include: (1) education regarding an individuals rights (2) advocate on behalf of clients (3) assist clients in protecting their rights and obtaining needed services and (4) actively participate in the grievance and appeals process as necessary. This position also provides education advocacy and support to the community as needed and as assigned.

This position requires in-state travel in the Tucson Metropolitan area up to approximately 50% of the time. Candidate may be eligible for remote work based in the Tucson Metropolitan area.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Provide intensive advocacy by representing individuals with an SMI determination and identified as in need of Special Assistance in the services planning discharge planning and administrative grievance and appeals processes. Conduct meetings via telephone video conference and in person as deemed necessary and follow the approved documentation protocol.
Provide information technical assistance and facilitate the resolution of issues with the Regional Behavioral Health Agreements (RBHA) and care providers to meet the needs of the clients.
Promote client rights and protection through outreach the distribution of educational materials and facilitation of group education in the community.
Immediate representation to all newly assigned special assistance members including but not limited to initial outreach welcoming clients to OHR explaining the role and preparing the advocacy chart.
Provide advocacy and guidance to the community about SMI grievances and appeals and service & discharge planning.
Completes weekly/monthly activity reports and database (case list) entries in a timely manner.

Knowledge:
Basic structure and operation of the behavioral Health system service and discharge planning processes; consumer rights
SMI grievance and administrative appeal processes rules statutes and regulations that define the standards of care applicable to the behavioral health system
Understanding of all applicable regulations policies and procedures
Practical application of working with stakeholders and clients including their natural and formal supports - Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft products
Understanding of HIPAA
Understanding of the Arizona Administrative Code R9-21

Skills:
Negotiation skills including but not limited to collaborative communication
Strong interpersonal skills with people of diverse cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds and those in crisis
Effective written communication skills including writing of reports and professional correspondence
Time management and attention to detail
Oral and written case preparation and presentation
c Proficient at review and interpretation of policy law and designated record sets

Abilities:
Communicate professionally both orally and in writing with clients and their RBHA provider to facilitate resolution or presenting issues
Effectively educate on how to navigate the behavioral health system up to and including how to access services and exercise the SMI rights
Organize and prioritize multiple tasks and to re-prioritize as necessary
Conduct client meetings by telephone video conference or in person as guided by standard of work and immediate supervisor
Research comprehend and recite the Arizona Administrative Code R9-21 to enforce the SMI rights

Minimum:
Two years of experience in Arizonas public behavioral health field and one year of experience in the provision of advocacy.

Preferred:
Bachelors degree in psychology sociology social work public health law or similar field.

Successfully pass fingerprint background check prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agencys 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 R.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:Drivers 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 pilot programhere. 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
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.