BUREAU CHIEF

Internal Careers; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote work option

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

The Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking a Bureau Chief to oversee daily operations of over 1,200 staff delivering Nutrition Assistance, Medical Assistance, and TANF programs. Lead strategic planning, quality improvement, and cross‑divisional coordination to ensure program compliance and service excellence.

The role offers a remote work option within Arizona (3 days in office) with emphasis on collaboration, accountability, and continuous process improvement.

Qualifications

• Knowledge in research and analysis methods, requirement gathering, feasibility reviews, impact analysis, business process modeling, flowchart processes, quality assurance and testing.
• Familiarity with SNAP, TANF, MA programs and related system applications.
• Project management concepts, principles, and practices.

Responsibilities

• Directs the delivery of training programs to staff designed to reduce error rates and expedite service to the public.
• Works with Regional Program Managers on workload and staffing needs to ensure local offices operate effectively.
• Travels and conducts visits to local offices statewide to discuss issues and concerns.
• Attends meetings and represents the division at seminars and events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Research & analysis

Policy knowledge

Project management

Negotiation

Time management

Communication

Tools

AZTECS

HEAPlus

OnBase

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job 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.

BUREAU CHIEF

Job Location:

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) Family Assistance Administration (FAA) 1789 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $29.1939 - $52.9975 Hourly ($60,723.31 - $110,235 Annually)

Grade: 25

Closing Date: November 3, 2026

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strength 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 Benefits and Medical Eligibility, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Bureau Chief. The Bureau Chief is responsible for the managerial oversight, direction, coordination and control of daily operations of more than 1,200 managers, supervisors, and employees who administer a variety of programs particularly Nutrition Assistance (NA), Medical Assistance (MA), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) while directly overseeing Five (5) Regional Program Managers (RPM) to ensure program compliance with federal and state laws, policies and regulations. This position also develops and recommends to the DBME Assistant Director (AD) operational plans designed to enhance the delivery of services for FAA programs including identification and coordination with other Divisions, community groups and agencies, contracting for services and all other phases of operational planning. This position directs the monitoring of program achievements designed to take corrective action to reduce errors, ensures state compliance of federal error tolerance levels, involved in the development of polices and procedures pertaining to quality assurance and utilization, reviews processes to ensure policies, procedures, and protocols are implemented, maintained and enforced. The Bureau Chief will also direct and participate with federal, state, agencies and community groups or organizations to provide a joint cooperative effort to facilitate delivery of services and provide information regarding availability of services to the public. In addition to these duties, this position has expanded to cover continuous improvement for the Division. This position is now also responsible for managing quality-enhancing projects to implement operational Improvements to the delivery of program services in DBME. These responsibilities include: Participation in strategic discussions with DBME AD, Deputy AD and Administrators to establish procedures regarding program efficiency and effectiveness. Plan, evaluate, coordinate, monitor, and direct all resources to ensure timeliness, quality and productivity goals, objectives are met for staff completing processing and eligibility decisions for public assistance, establish goals, and objectives for performance, developing and continually reviewing performance measurements. The Bureau Chief will also oversee hiring and retention, which includes managing staffing levels, making staff assignments, and evaluating performance. Work with local office management staff to resolve personnel and customer issues or complaints. Work with DBME Human Resources on various complex, sensitive, and confidential personnel actions, planning, organize, and manage programs, practices and procedures to ensure uniform interpretation, application, and implementation according to state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Develop and review operating procedures, and monitor reports to ensure accurate and timely processing of customer benefits. Develop, implement, manage and evaluate strategies to meet the Department and Division's mission and values. Lastly, work with operations managers to resolve customer issues or complaints, and work with other Program Managers to integrate program services.

This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (3 days per week in the office/hoteling). 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:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Directs the delivery of training programs to staff designed to reduce the error rates and expedite service to the public. Directs, recommends, and approves sensitive and complex personnel activities related to discipline, appeals, review of subordinate work products, approves leave, etc.
• Works closely with each Regional Program Manager on workload and staffing needs to ensure local offices are operating effectively.
• Travels and conducts scheduled and unscheduled visits to local offices statewide meeting with local office managers, supervisors and staff to discuss issues, problems and concerns related to environmental tools needed to perform job, equipment, workload, etc.
• Attends meetings, seminars, trainings as required find acts/speaks on behalf of the DBME Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director and represents the Division at various seminars.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Research and analysis methods, requirement gathering, feasibility reviews, Impact Analysis, business application process modeling, flowchart processes, quality assurance, and testing.
• Policies, procedures, programs (SNAP, TANF, and MA), system applications (AZTECS, HEAPlus, OnBase, etc.), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and Google software.
• Project management concepts, principles, and practices.

Skills in:

• Problem and negotiation skills to resolve issues.
• Organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Ability to:

• Work at least 40 hours per week and maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality standards.
• Work independently or collaboratively with minimal supervision.
• Identify opportunities for use of solutions to improve efficiency and adapt to changing technologies.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• A combination of education, training, and experience in administration, call center, or professional experience that equals a minimum of three years.
• Demonstrate their experience in the management of complex programs that require expertise, analytical thinking, and strategic planning

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• 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.
• 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).

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
• 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

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.

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.

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 regarding this career opportunity, please contact Alex Rivera at 480-910-0533 or [e-mail].

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 Alex Rivera at 480-910-0533 or email [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.