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SalaryDEPARTMENT 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 / SUBSTANTIATION SPECIALIST
Job Location:
Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
Adult Protective Services (APS)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: $62,999.87
Grade: 21
Closing Date: 3/8/2024
Job Summary:
The Department of Economic Security, Division of Aging and Adult Services, seeks an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Social Services Administrator 2 with the Care Coordination Team. DAAS supports at-risk Arizonans to meet their basic needs and to live safely, with dignity and independence. Services and programs reach a diverse population of Arizonans.
The Adult Protective Services (APS) program is mandated to receive and evaluate reported incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable or incapacitated adults. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with the state statutes and administrative rules and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures as they relate to the substantiation and appeals process, working closely with APS Investigators and monitoring cases that are sent for Administrative Review; coordinating with the Arizona Attorney General's Office regarding the delivery of due process for alleged perpetrators; and attending Administrative Hearings as necessary.
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.
Job Duties:
- Administer and oversee the APS appeals process including, but not limited to, receiving and reviewing investigations that are proposed for substantiation to ensure they are complete and comprehensive; work closely with APS Investigators and their respective supervisors and/or managers, accept or send back with the specifics for additional investigation; once accepted, initiate the Appeals process; and monitor cases that are sent for Administrative Review.
- Coordinate with the Arizona Attorney General's Office regarding the delivery of due process for individuals accused of neglect, abuse, and exploitation of vulnerable adults through the APS investigative process, including attendance at the Administrative Hearing. Testify in court and administrative hearings state-wide.
- Administer the APS public Registry by reviewing cases, referring to the Attorney General's office, updating the registry as a result of Administrative Hearing process and/or legal out determination, documenting in the case management system, and facilitating notifications to alleged perpetrators of APS intent to place on the registry.
- Attends statewide APS meetings and trainings as required, or other meetings as requested. Maintain hard copy and virtual records/files in accordance with records retention schedules.
- Responds to assignments from APS management as requested. Provide training presentations on the process as necessary.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
- Applicable Federal and State Statues, Administrative Rules and Regulations, APS Policies and Procedures
- Social Work and casework practices and human dynamics
- Court and administrative proceedings; preparing documents, testifying, etc.
- program planning and development
Skills in:
- Program evaluation, policy development and interpretation
- Community and public relations
- Oral and written communication
- Data analysis, evaluation, and interpretation
Ability to:
- Quickly resolve complex planning and program problems.
- Direct the activities of professional staff engaged in delivering program services.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the community.
- Take data or information and analyze, evaluate, interpret and implement solutions to increase efficiency in the APS program.
Selective Preference(s):
- 3 years’ experience in investigations, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field required.
- Experience interpreting law and/or policy is required.
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, criminology, political science, public policy, or a related field preferred but not required.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- 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. 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).
- 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 agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions
- A.R.S 41-1969 Each employee or contractor of the Department of Economic Security who has access to federal tax information shall have a valid, unrestricted Level One fingerprint clearance card issues pursuant to A.R.S. 41-1758.07.
Benefits:
- 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.
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.
Contact Us:
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Brenda Vega at 520-279-4525 or daashr@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 Brenda Vega at 520-279-4525 or daashr@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
