employment services specialist

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.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

8620 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85021

Posting Details:

Salary: $45, $47,000.00

Grade: 18

Closing Date: November 11, 2025

Job Summary:

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Employment Services Specialist. 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.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintains collaborative relationships across programs within the Department of Economic Security as well as external state and local government entities, public agencies, school districts, and public and private enterprises. Provides support and technical assistance to Qualified Vendors of employment supports and services. Conducts Home and Community Based compliance visits as well as quality assurance reviews with Qualified Vendors.
• Attends member planning meetings, providing the planning team with ideas and supports related to the member's employment journey. Provides information to families and members on employment supports and services.
• Provides guidance, technical assistance, and education to DDD support coordinators on employment, incorporating the AZ Disability Benefits 101 resource tool into employment goal discussions, Employment First principles, and on employment supports and services. Develops resources regarding employment supports and services, opportunities, and programs.
• Approves selected employment services authorizations on behalf of the District Program Manager. Reviews and approves employment training curricula. Processes and submits Vocational Rehabilitation referrals for members.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Person centered planning and supported employment models.
• Service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Employment programs and best practices for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to the provision of integrated supported employment services for persons with cognitive/intellectual disabilities.

Skills In:

• Professional writing.
• Advocacy skills to represent and support individuals in achieving employment goals and outcomes.
• Utilize a computer and software applications for the generation of information and communication, specifically Google Workspace and Adobe.

Ability to:

• Manage complex situations and relationships.
• Effectively prioritize tasks.
• Multi-task.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation (VR) such as VR counseling, SW, psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, or another field & two yrs of paid or unpaid experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Pre-Employment 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 operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R
• 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.
• Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 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 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

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

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 Wendy Browning at

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 Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.