Description
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. APPEALS SPECIALIST Job Location: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007 Posting Details: Salary: $53,000.00 - $58,600.00
Grade: 21
Closing Date: May 15, 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, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Appeals Specialist. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member driven. These services empower individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed, healthy, and meaningful lives.
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 a close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
● Receives verbal or written appeals, claim disputes & requests for administrative. reviews from consumers, legal representatives, providers and other stake holders. Reviews appeals, claim disputes and requests for administrative reviews upon receipt to determine compliance with applicable federal and state statutes. Confers with Division staff, consumers, legal representatives, health plan representatives, the Attorney General's (AG) Office and other stake holders.
● Analyzes documentation to determine if the adverse action taken by the Division complies with federal and state regulations. Prepares and provides written decisions in compliance with established time frames, legal representatives, health plans, Division staff, the AG's Office and other stakeholders in response to appeals, claim disputes and requests for administrative reviews.
● Receives and reviews written requests for State Fair Hearings received from consumers, legal representatives, providers and other stakeholders upon receipt to determine compliance with federal and state statutes. Coordinates and prepares documentation submitted to the AHCCCS in response to requests for State Fair Hearings. Gathers and prepares written and physical evidence for review by the AG's Office in preparation for State Fair Hearings.
Knowledge in:
● Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing the IDD Medicaid population.
● Knowledge of the Grievance, Appeals, and Hearing Process.
● Knowledge of Arizona Revised Statues, Code of Federal Regulations, and Arizona Administrative Code.
Skills in:
● Interpersonal relations with agency management, staff, agency attorneys, consumers and their families, and the public.
● Applying good judgment to manage a high volume of volatile issues from stakeholders, the public, etc.
● Analysis, evaluation and interpretation of wide variety of programmatic information and data.
Ability to:
● Facilitate all requests for hearing and assist the Attorney General's Office in preparing its representation of the Division at hearings.
● Speak effectively and factually to the public, courts, leadership, etc.
● Prioritize work to successfully manage tasks and utilize methodologies for process improvements and change management.
The ideal candidate for this position will have:
● Bachelors or Master's degree in Social Services, Justice Studies, Humanities or any related field. Spanish speaking is preferred.
● Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's 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.) R2-10-207.11).
● Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
● All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment /Eligibility 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
● 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
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.
Retirement: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 Wendy Browning at wbrowning@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 wbrowning@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
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