Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
2981 East Tacoma Street Sierra Vista Arizona 85635

Salary: $54000.00 - $56000.00

Grade: 20

Closing Date: February 24 2026

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

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the departments business 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 and 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:
Build partnerships with individuals families and key stakeholders to promote recovery resiliency and wellness. Maintain strict member and family confidentiality. Communicate and collaborate with members and families to identify concerns and remove barriers that affect service delivery or member satisfaction.
Actively collaborates and participates with seven AHCCCS Complete Care plans two DDD Subcontracted Health Plans as well as AHCCCS/Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) in projects initiatives and events. Collaborate with AHCCCS and the health plans in developing family and peer support services for our members with developmental disabilities.
Develops maintains and evaluates service linkages with the community and participates in associated meetings with staff. Advocates for continued quality and new services as needed. Maintains current information on community resources.
Networks and/or communicates with staff in order to ensure that all pertinent information is disseminated. Identifies and refers crisis situations and problems to appropriate staff or agencies. Monitors and provides follow-up assistance.
Collaborate with the AHCCCS Office of Human Rights the Independent Oversight Committee (IOC) provide information to regional IOCs and attend IOC meetings.

Knowledge in:
Warning signs of abuse trauma physical and mental instability and substance dependency
Federal and State laws/rules and regulations pertaining to adults and children with I/DD.
Wide range of community resources especially those that tend to adults and children with I/DD.
Behavior management skills ability to act as a role model for families demonstrating social skills and communication skills.

Skills In:
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
Exceptional people skills and the ability to work with children and adults from all walks of life.
Conflict management mediation and negotiation.
Implement effective problem-solving strategies.

Ability to:
Sensitive to different cultures and willing to learn about different approaches to family structure behavior and communication.
Exceptional listener able to ask questions and extract information that the individual may be reluctant to share
Maintain good judgment in crisis situations
Appropriately and effectively deal with stressful situations
Assess individual and family needs
Work independently and as a team member
Implement principles and requirements of Jason K. Lawsuit and Arnold v. Sarn Lawsuit

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
Masters or Bachelors degree in family counseling psychology behavioral sciences or social work or comparable years of experience. Experience with people with developmental disabilities or a background in social work legal aid or counseling.

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. 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 operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R.11).
Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic EmploymentEligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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
Paid vacation and sick time
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
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 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 Ariana Dominguez at or
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 time to arrange the accommodation.