Caregiver Lead

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes 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 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 Caregiver Lead. 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. Caregiver Leads are responsible for providing care to members and providing support to other Caregivers in the absence of the supervisor.

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Encourages and involves members with developmental disabilities in recreational activities available at home or in the community during their leisure time and ensure they become active and involved. Intervenes using least restrictive means at earliest moment using prevention & support or redirects member's behavior using his/her behavior building plan to help decrease the inappropriate behaviors of the member.
Prepares, cooks, sets up, serves, and assists member with developmental disabilities in eating meals. Encourages members to participate in the meal-time process as much as possible. Ensures the members meet their nutritional requirements and engages/interacts with the members during mealtime routine. Completes assigned housekeeping duties.
Communicates (verbal and/or sign language), reads, writes, and follows directions. Implements and writes Individual Support Plan (ISP) programs and strategies, collects and records data. Provides continuous active treatment to the members as well as knowledge of the members' abilities and needs.
Helps members with developmental disabilities with basic care and hygiene, (changing their Depends included). Teaches the members how to bathe, groom and dress with as much independence as possible.
Orders, logs, dispenses, administers, and stores medications of members according to doctor's orders upon successful completion of the appropriate 16-hour medication technician or medication administration course.
Provides transportation to the members as needed. Drives a vehicle, operates a lift, puts on seat belts for members and ties down wheelchairs. Transports members to their day/work programs, to medical appointments and activities in the community.
In the absence of supervisor, works as lead or in-charge person; assists in on-site training of new employees and ensures reports are completed and submitted within the required timeliness.
Responds to members emergency situations by calling for assistance and providing emergency treatment until medical help arrives; completes incident reports and notifies guardian of the member's emergency situation. Coordinates evacuation plan and applies the necessary steps and safety procedures to follow with minimum disruption and injury to the member.

Knowledge in:
Basic member rights and supervisory technics
Proper lifting techniques and proper body mechanics to enable proper lifting techniques
Behavior treatment plan and principles
Member intervention and injury prevention, medication administration, First Aid and CPR
Emergency plans
Individual Support Plan process
Data collection and documentation
Reading, writing and problem-solving techniques
Skills In:
Leadership
Communication, both verbal and non-verbal (sign language)
Training and teaching
Planning activities designed to meet the specific needs of individual members
Organization and interaction
Providing routine medical treatment, (e.g., taking temperatures, applying dressings, etc.)
Proper sanitation techniques to eliminate cross-contamination

Ability to:
Understand and teach daily living skills
Care to and act compassionately while maintaining member's rights
Remain calm and composed during emergency situations
Give and follow directions
Maintain therapy equipment
Attend staff training and apply the basic principles of program training and data collection designed to meet the specific needs of members
Collect data in accordance with Federal, State, and Agency standards and Individual Support Plans (ISPs)
Learn state rules, policies, and regulations

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
Applicant must be 18 years of age to apply and read and write English.
Availability to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and change work locations, when necessary.
A High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, therefore 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).

Employees shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
Employment may be contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination 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

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 Ariana Dominguez at 480-790-1749 or arianadominguez@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 480-790-1749 or arianadominguez@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.