BUSINESS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Arizona Department of Administration; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking a skilled Business Operations Specialist to support the Division of Developmental Disabilities in Phoenix. The role focuses on facilities management, purchasing, and data reporting to ensure efficient operations and services for Arizona’s residents.

The position offers collaboration with district staff, opportunities to improve processes, and exposure to fiscal management within a state government framework.

Qualifications

• Experience in operations and business management.
• Ability to extract and analyze data from multiple systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong time management.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provide facilities-related technical support and coordinate district projects and timelines.
• Process purchasing, sourcing vendors, and manage purchase orders and logs.
• Develop reports using MS Access and SQL to pull fiscal data and ensure data integrity.

Skills

Facilities Mgmt

MS Access

SQL

Advanced Excel

Communication

Budget & Purchasing

Tools

MS Access

SQL

Excel

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

BUSINESS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), 1789 W. JEFFERSON STREET PHOENIX, AZ 85007

Salary: $49,000.00 - $51,000.00

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 10/09/2026

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that makes Arizonans thrive? At the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov or click here on the link 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 an Business Operations 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.

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:

• District liaison for providing technical support and direction on facilities related matters, which may include office moves,rebuilds, closures, etc. Maintain an up to date action list of all projects and time lines. Work collectively with DDD single point of contact (SPOC) regarding district facility needs.
• Work through resolution provider authorization and/or provider service payment denials, which may include researching and putting in corrective action for any issues identified and elevated to the BOPS level. Provide authorization, billing and technical support to the Support Coordination and provider community as needed.
• Manage district capital equipment by tracking and logging equipment and recommending replacement schedules as part of the budget process. Maintain up-to-date log of district equipment, including cell phones, projectors, copiers, vehicles, printers,etc. Coordinate and manage district infrastructure needs, working with District Management to identify needs; log and track approvals, procurement and costs of identified items.
• Assume a share of the responsibility for processing regular district purchasing and supply request orders including: research state contracted vendors for best prices; obtain quotes when necessary; set up open & one time POs as necessary; send hard copy POs to requesting staff; follow up w/staff to ensure receipt of purchases; get copies of packing slips/invoices, etc.;complete receivers; maintain & update purchasing log.
• Develop simple and edit moderately complex coding/queries using MS Access and SQL to customize and generate reports to pull service and fiscal data from various systems. Produce and QA data integrity for ad hoc and production reports based on complex data analysis, research and fiscal trends, cost effectiveness, budget, personnel, services, facilities and operations.
• Assist the Business Operations Manager in providing all fiscal and business management and direction for a large District.
• Assist BOPS Manager in identifying provider billing issues based on contractual and service delivery requirements;completing prep work for post payment review process.
• Perform as ACA approver for all District P.Card transactions. Maintain complete log of all P.Card users in District. Respond to audit requests for P.Card activity as identified and within the requirement deadline. Other purchasing related activities as needed, including creation of Claim Memo requests and justification. Provide backup purchasing support to the other Districts as needed.
• Provide troubleshooting and problem solving for complex purchasing needs for the District, researching products and services, interacting with Agency and State procurement personnel ensuring needs are met timely. Report out on all district purchasing score card measurements.
• Provide full backup support as needed to the District in absence of District Business Operations Manager and District Purchasing Specialist.
• Provide technical support and assistance to the field (staff and providers) on service authorizations,billing, software platforms, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Principles and practices of operations/project and business management
• Principles and techniques of application programming; mainframe and database programs
• Database Management
• Federal rules and regulations as it applies to federally funded programs (AHCCCS, service delivery, fraud, waste and abuse, auditing practices)
• Lean principles and promoting process improvement.
• State government purchasing system and practices.

Skills In:

• Intermediate code and query writing using MS
• Access and SQL and other platforms to extract fiscal, statistical and service data for management of complex cost and data analysis, and end user reports
• Advanced in MS Excel
• Professional oral and written communication
• Problem solving, conflict resolution, mediation and negotiations
• Planning and time management
• Researching, prioritizing, and following up on incoming issues and concerns.

Ability To:

• Analyze and evaluate facilities/operations systems, deficiencies, strengths and situations,and apply corrective measures or best practices as appropriate
• Extract data from a variety of systems
• Organize, prioritize and multi-task while managing a very heavy workload, with shifting priorities
• Handle confidential information with discretion
• Builds relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Proven strong business leadership and management background, with demonstrated proficiency in utilizing complex coding and queries for MS Access, SQL and Report Builder, exhibiting extensive experience in producing complex statistical and fiscal data analysis.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License. Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.) AND have an acceptable driving record in accordance with DES Fleet Management-Safety Program policy and procedures (DES 1-07-26 & DES 1-07-26-01). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration however, mileage will be reimbursed.

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.

• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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
• 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

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