DISABILITY DETERMINATION MANAGER

Internal Careers; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS retirement

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Wellness plans

Tuition reimbursement

Stipend opportunities

Rideshare and transit subsidy

Career advancement

Job summary

The Department of Economic Security (DES) Disability Determination Services Administration is seeking a Disability Determination Manager to oversee professional specialists, medical consultants, and support staff in disability benefits determinations. This is an in-office leadership role requiring strong administrative and analytical skills.

Responsibilities include supervising unit supervisors, reviewing complex data for reports, coordinating inter-agency actions, and ensuring timely, accurate

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal laws governing disability benefits and related regulations.
• Experience in leadership, supervision, and program management.
• Strong writing, reporting and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee DDS operations and supervise unit supervisors, medical consultants, and staff.
• Review complex data and contribute to monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
• Prepare meeting agendas and coordinate with agencies across states.
• Direct administration in the absence of the Program Administrator.
• Balance multiple projects and prioritize tasks across divisions.

Skills

Federal laws

Leadership & management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Public administration

Interpersonal skills

Report writing

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree

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

DISABILITY DETERMINATION MANAGER

Job Location

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)

Disability Determination Services Administration (DDSA)

4710 South Palo Verde Road, Tucson, Arizona 85714

Posting Details

Salary: 47.2287 Hourly

Grade: 24

Closing Date: November 11, 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 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 on the link here to view ’Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Disability Determination Services Administration is seeking a Disability Determination Manager that can skillfully incorporate the goals of the company. Through subordinate leadership, oversees the work of professional Disability Specialists of all levels, Medical Consultants, and Support Staff in the analyses and determination for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income benefits for the Social Security Administration. This is an in office position.

Job Duties

• Oversees the general operations in the DDS which includes developing strategies to meet the workload and developing initiatives to meet the changing priorities. Directly supervises Unit Supervisors, Medical Consultants and Professional Relations Officer. Is responsible for developing evaluation methods for subordinate staff and monitors performance for direct and indirect reports.
• Reads incoming correspondence, memos and reports, plans and formulates response or needed action. Composes correspondence dealing with subject matter requiring considerable discretion, judgment and decision-making.
• Supervises and evaluates subordinate personnel who are supervisors or highly skilled technicians carrying out tasks requiring considerable independent judgment or creative effort.
• Analyze and review complex data to participate in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual fiscal, contractual and programmatic reports.
• Develop meeting agendas, attend professional meetings and forums. Confers with staff of agencies in other states or other levels of government with regard to necessary actions or to exchange vital and useful information.
• Directs the Administration in the absence of the Program Administrator.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Complex Federal laws, regulations and policies governing eligibility for disability benefits under provisions of the Social Security Act.
• Program planning and evaluation methods; management and program policies, practices and procedures.
• Medical, physiological and psychiatric terminology; the effects of medical, physiological and psychiatric conditions on functional capacity.
• Research analysis of statistical data or policy/procedural changes.
• Principles and practices of leadership and management; considerable knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and the principles and practices of public administration; ADOA and DES rules, policies and procedures.
• Critical thinking; detail-oriented; using automated systems to enter, retrieve, research, analyze and interpret statistical and programmatic data.
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex federal, state, department, and legislative rules, laws, policies and procedures.
• Managing and balancing various management and administrative functions and presenting information on complex issues and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Composition of policy, procedures, issues, correspondence, and position papers; integration; joining people, processes and systems; effectively manage and balance multiple projects, time management; performing technical, complex, and difficult work using independent judgment.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills including prioritization of projects and tasks; navigate multiple applications simultaneously; and gathering, organizing, and summarizing information and data from varied sources, creating and maintaining comprehensive reports.
• Organize and direct the work of others; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Utilize and apply effectively technical knowledge and skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of public and private organizations, institutions, agencies, and individuals; communicate effectively.
• Travel as needed.
• Exercise a high degree of discretion and independent judgment; create, maintain, and complete special projects and reports with accuracy and timeliness; handle daily demands, change priorities, and adapt to rapid changes in workload as required.
• Work with long-range and short-term visions and goals; manage a diverse group of employees; direct, coach, counsel, mentor, listen, lead, motivate, delegate, train and evaluate.
• Effectively communicate and/or present plans and respond to questions from management; and work with limited direction, independently as well as in a team.

Selective Preference(s)

• Bachelor’s degree plus 1-3 years of progressive work experience (typically in Benefits and Eligibility) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Disability Determination Hearing Officer 4-7 years of progressive work experience (typically in Benefits and Eligibility) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Disability Determination Supervisor.

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).
• HSPD-12 Background/Fingerprinting Security Clearance: Please be advised that all hires, transfers, and current employees within DBME Disability Determination Service Administration are subject to mandatory fingerprinting and an associated FBI background investigation by the Social Security Administration under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. Not all prior arrests and/or convictions will prohibit appointment.

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

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 about this career opportunity, please contact Jason Hamm at 520-235-1130 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 520-235-1130 or [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.