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

Salary: $95000 - $102000

Grade: 25

Closing Date: December 28 2025

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 ; 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 departments 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 States 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.

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 Departments 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 of:
Programs administered by the Department.
Federal and State laws governing Department programs.
Departmental rules regulations policies and procedures.
Principles and practices of public administration.
The full range of complex management functions of a responsible and confidential nature.
Research methodology project planning development organization and work flow techniques.
Leadership and team building methodologies and supervisory and evaluation practices relevant to professional and administrative staff.
Methods used for creating implementing and monitoring performance measures.
Word Excel PowerPoint email internet and other appropriate software.
In depth understanding of resources for program services across the Department.

Skills In:
Reading understanding and interpreting complex Federal State department and legislative rules laws policies and procedures.
Managing and balancing various management and administrative functions and presenting information on complex issues and ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
Composition of policy procedures correspondence issues and position papers.
Supervision of staff.
Planning analyzing and coordinating activities.
Establishing priorities.
Gathering organizing and summarizing information and data from varied sources creating and maintaining comprehensive reports.
Initiating and maintaining complex and difficult working relationships with a diverse group of staff.
Gaining and maintaining the confidence and cooperation of others.
Performing a full range of complex administrative managerial and supervisory functions in a responsible professional and confidential manner.

Ability to:
Review Federal regulations and interpret the intent for application purposes.
Analyze Federal regulations for development of policy and procedures.
Coach counsel mentor listen and lead in a fast-paced environment.
Manage direct motivate delegate train evaluate and instill confidence in a diverse group of subordinate employees.
Identify and analyze organizational and/or procedural problems and determine effective solutions.
Respond to internal and external customers with tact diplomacy accuracy and appropriate and timely information.
Create maintain and complete special projects and reports with accuracy and timeliness.
Interact with other departments outside representatives and community groups/leaders.
Manage and balance varied managerial and supervisory functions.
Exercise a high degree of discretion confidentiality and independent judgment.
Organize and control long and short-term projects and define objectives and deadlines.
Handle daily demands changing priorities and adapt to rapid changes in workload as required.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the areas of government public policy or public administration.
Experience working in a public agency serving a large population.
Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
Advance degree may substitute for experience on a year-to-year basis.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
In-state travel is required. Drivers License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current valid class-appropriate drivers license complete all required training and successfully pass all necessary drivers license record checks. The license must be current unexpired and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R.11).

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
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition Reimbursement
Stipend Opportunities
Infant at Work Program
Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

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

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.

For questions about this career opportunity please contact us at or email

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 or Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.