Address: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1789 W JEFFERSON STREET PHOENIX, AZ 85012

Salary: $56,000.00 to $58,000.00

Grade: 20

Closing Date: 11/22/2023

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizona stronger by helping Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable? The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is looking for individuals that 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, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Community Engagement Coordinator. 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.

This position under the direction of the Community Engagement Manager, this position represents the Customer Service Center (CSC) in providing resources, support, and technical assistance to members with disabilities and their families who need assistance in accessing community resources. In addition, this position meets with community organizations both private and public to determine various resources available and the eligibility criteria for these services; provides customer service to community walk-ins by connecting them to the correct DES/DDD Division for follow up; compiles community resource information by need such as food, utilities, medical, dental, educational, shelter, etc.; assists in the development of service specifications; assists in mailing and collecting data from surveys for family support services both delivered through DDD and those available through the community and routinely assesses family satisfaction with services rendered; develops and maintains collaborative relationships internally with federal and state agencies, between the DES and other state and local public agencies, as well as private and nonprofit agencies; works with Division personnel, providers, and community groups, organizations, and agencies in providing various community resources to members/families with developmental disabilities.

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 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 department's 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 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.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Works with division personnel, providers, & community groups, organizations, & agencies in providing various community resources to members/families with developmental disabilities; serves as the point of contact to providers for various provider fairs; coordinates provider events; delivers presentations regarding DDD, eligibility requirements, the CSC, & resources to the community; attends various community events to provide info pertaining to DDD.
• Coordinates on-going and special projects as assigned, including assistance w/the Strategic Plan implementation. Communicates and coordinates with District staff, produce clear and concise tracking reports. Maintains all mailboxes that are assigned and keeps current on all communication in those mailboxes. Works with supervisor in the development of materials for AHCCCS approval.
• Represents the CSC Unit in providing resources, support, and technical assistance to members with disabilities and their families who need assistance in accessing community resources. Works with the Office of Community Engagement to coordinate presentations, materials, and information about DES; provides customer service to community walk-ins by connecting them to the correct DES/DDD Division for follow up.
• Meets with Meets with community organizations both private & public to determine various resources available & the eligibility criteria for these services; compiles these community resources by need; assists in the development of service specifications; assists in mailing & collecting data from surveys for family support services both delivered through DDD & those available through the community; & routinely assesses fam satisfaction with services rendered.
• Speaks with callers, calms them, listens to their complaints, inquiries, or questions, and enters the complaint in the Resolution System. Follows-up on the issue's resolution and keeps complainant apprised at regular intervals. Ensures that complaints are resolved within the designated time frames.

Knowledge of:
• Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations related to individuals with developmental disabilities
• Developmental disability systems in Arizona and nationally
• Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
• Principles of family support and self-determination
• Resources, programs, and systems that support members with developmental disabilities.
• Principles and practices related to family services and supports, service specifications, policies, and procedures for family support and requirements of service specifications.
Skills in:
• Oral and Written communication.
• Planning, organizing, prioritizing, multi-tasking, & time management to execute various competing duties and activities.
• Mediation and group facilitation.
• Creating programs that affirm and strengthen families.
• Developing and promoting relationship building with federal, state, non-profit and private agencies.
• Using various computer equipment and software applications (e.g., databases, Excel, etc.)
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Interacting and working with diverse individuals, advocacy groups and others in a professional manner. Personal sense of competence, and cultural and community traditions and norms.
Ability to:
• Listen, observe, assess, and respond to medical emergencies.
• Assess members and their families for family support services and monitor/evaluate the program successes
• Provide public relations, training, and technical assistance to members/families, providers, community groups, organizations, and private and nonprofit agencies.
• Effectively represent the Department/Division with internal and external stakeholders with good decision making abilities
• Read, comprehend and apply policies, procedures, etc. with a commitment to continuous improvement. Meeting deadlines
• Understand the concerns of members and capably assist in resolving the issues.
• Customer focus (making customers and their needs a primary focus of one's actions, and developing and sustaining productive customer relations)
• Learn about the services provided by the DES divisions. Work with individuals with disabilities and their families
and their families
• Set high work standards and maintain high level of energy.
• Understand and model the principles of family support in all program activities planning, governance, and administration.
• Advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive and accountable to the families served.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• The preferred/ideal candidate will have experience working with the Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities.

• 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 check; employment is contingent upon completion of the abovementioned process and the Agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

• 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: Driver’s License Requirements. ).

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
• 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 program here. 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 Alyssa Figueroa at 602-653-9837 or alyssafigueroa@azdes.gov.

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 602-653-9837 or alyssafigueroa@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.