Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: 60,000 - 64,000 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: November 19, 2026

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 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 Whole Person Care (WPC) Specialist is responsible for coordinating The Division of Developmental Disabilities' (DDD's) efforts related to research and application of best practices in addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) and health disparities amongst the Division’s members. This position provides leadership and strategic direction to advance health equity through leveraging data to plan and implement initiatives to improve health outcomes of Division’s membership, including whole person care.

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: 

• Leads and executes the development and implementation of the DDD's WPC and health equity strategy. Ensures compliance with all AHCCCS requirements related to WPC, HRSN, and health equity programs and initiatives. Researches and applies best practices to advance health equity; leverages available data to plan and implement initiatives and interventions designed to identify and address health disparities to improve health outcomes of Division’s members.
• Leads the preparation and development of policies, assessments and action plans, scopes of work, program & reports, trainings, presentations, and written and media communications with a focus on addressing health inequities and improving health outcomes. Responsible for Division staff training and development related to WPC, HRSN and health equity.
• Collaborates across the Division with other leaders and stakeholders to ensure the integration of WPC, HRSN and health equity programs and initiatives throughout all areas of the Division. Participates in strategic planning with executive leadership and actively participates in and/or facilitates Divisional initiatives. Attends and represents the Division and its interests in required AHCCCS and stakeholder meetings. Works the subcontracted health plans and vendors regarding these initiatives.
• Provides leadership and direction for the WPC team. Provides supervision, mentoring, and coaching of staff. Facilitates regular 1:1s, team huddles, and other communication modalities with the WPC team. Facilitates the Health Equity Committee meeting. Completes Performance Appraisals, authorizes leave, and approves ETE Time Cards for staff. Supports and implements all Arizona Management System (lean) principles.
• Facilitates the Health Equity Subcommittee and represents/participates/advocates in all necessary Division multi-disciplinary and leadership meetings. Engage with internal functional areas to assess performance measures (including HEDIS, CMS and NCI data) through the lens of health equity, focusing on stratification of data to help develop initiatives and interventions within the health equity framework.
• This is a Key Position as identified in the contract with AHCCCS and is responsible for duties and deliverables and metrics that require high-level scrutiny and analysis to determine areas of risk and mitigation plans as described in the contract as well as special projects as may be assigned.
• Engages with Qualified Vendors and DDD subcontracted health plans to furnish and develop stratified data and guide the development and implementation of interventions to improve health outcomes.
  

Knowledge in: 

• Federal Regulations related to Medicaid, Medicare, Federal and State laws, agency rules, policies and procedures for medical services in a managed care environment.
• Principles and Practices of Public and Behavioral Health, Prevention Health Strategies & Evidence Based/ Evidence Informed Practices, Health Equity, Health Disparities, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), and/ or Population Health.
• Working with the I/DD, disadvantaged or marginalized populations and the impact of geographical and socio-economic influences on health equity.
• The use of clinical data for health equity and quality measurement, reporting, evaluation, and improvement and how these outcomes can be integrated into new models of care.
• Measuring and analyzing health disparities and implementing interventions that reduce identified disparities.
• Program Evaluation and/or Measurement
• Arizona Management System (AMS) and/or Performance Improvement (PI), Continuous Improvement and Lean methodologies.

Skills In: 

• Computer expertise including electronic medical record, word processing, spreadsheet and data base applications
• Change management, project leadership and coordination experience
• Analyzing situations accurately and taking effective action
• Solid communication skills (written and verbal) including the ability to concisely explain complicated concepts to leadership and staff within and outside of the agency
• Strong organizational skills
• Writing complex and comprehensive documents including reports, data driven outcome reports, evaluations and polices and procedures
• Measuring and evaluating health equity data to determine the impact of the DDD programs and initiatives.

Ability to: 

• Communicate effectively and set expectations and guidance to direct reports.
• Cultivate positive working relationships
• Manage workload, complete tasks, and develop quality work products under tight deadlines
• Problem solve and make critical decisions
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents, contractual provisions and rules
• Write reports, policies and procedures and technical and non-technical documents using original or innovative techniques
• Make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to leadership,stakeholders, providers, regulator, state agencies, members and their families
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

The ideal candidate for this position will have: 

• A Masters degree in healthcare administration, business administration, public health administration, or four years of professional experience in developing or implementing programs or initiatives addressing health disparities or disadvantaged populations.
  
  

• 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. 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.) (R2-10-201.11). 
• In accordance with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System contract as defined in 42 CFR 455,104, SMDL #09-001) a search for the incumbent will be conducted monthly using the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) and the System for Award Management (SAM).
• 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
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave 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 Laura Kaspar at (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@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)390-5549 or lkaspar@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.