Policy and Rules Administrator

State of Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS retirement

Paid holidays

Remote work option

Job summary

State of Arizona’s Department of Economic Security seeks a Policy and Rules Administrator to lead policy planning and governance within the Office of the Director, Governance of Innovation Administration (GIA). You will coordinate with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to modernize governance, improve client outcomes, and mitigate risk through streamlined policy processes.

The role may offer remote work within Arizona, with a focus on delivering measurable program outcomes and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration or a related field.
• Four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in government/public policy/public administration.
• Three years supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Meet with Department leadership and external partners to address programmatic issues and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Oversee policy development and staff performance; work with HR on recruitment strategies to attract diverse candidates.
• Seek best practices from other states and waive opportunities to improve efficiency and alignment with laws and departmental goals.
• Foster collaboration with external partners to deliver training and services; participate in meetings and trainings as required.
• Gather and analyze data to improve representativeness and outcomes of Department programs.
• Develop outcomes and metrics to ensure accountable, transparent, and equitable service delivery.

Skills

Policy planning

Public administration

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Policy compliance

Office software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration/Public Policy/Business Admin

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

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.

Policy and Rules Administrator

Job Location:

Office of the Director (OOD), Governance of Innovation Administration (GIA)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $85,480 - $110,235
Grade: 25
Closing Date: October 16, 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 Department of Economic Security, Office of the Director, Governance and Innovation Administration (GIA) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Policy Planning Manager. This position will serve as a Policy and Rules Administrator. This position is responsible for work of considerable complexity, internally and externally, at the programmatic and operational levels, for planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, evaluating, and partnering with colleagues, leaders, customers, and federal, state and local stakeholders to develop, prioritize, and implement strategies around the overarching vision of improving client outcomes and employee engagement, modernizing Department governance and service delivery, and mitigating risk through policy and process efficiencies, innovations, and cross-divisional alignment.
The 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, 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:

• Meet with Department leadership and external partners on a continuous basis to ensure programmatic issues are addressed and implemented appropriately in accordance with required laws and regulations. Responsible for coordination and senior level decision making related to program compliance and methods of operation and makes recommendations for corrective actions. Provide policy direction and oversight.
• Provide oversight and support of teams responsible for the development and continued maintenance of policy, ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of the programs supported. Hire, evaluate, train, coach, discipline, and recommend dismissal of staff as necessary. Works with Human Resources to develop recruitment strategies that attract underrepresented candidates.
• Actively seek out best practices from other states and entities in order to better inform and innovate Department practices. Creatively seek waiver opportunities and alignment opportunities with federal and state laws, policies, procedures, and practices, in order to meet the Department’s goals in the most efficient manner possible.
• Strengthen relationships and collaboration with external partners and stakeholders to deliver training and support. Directs and participates with federal and state agencies and community organizations to provide a joint cooperative effort to facilitate delivery of services to the public. Attends meetings, seminars, and trainings as required by the Assistant Director.
• Works with programs to gather, research, analyze, and present data to improve the representativeness of individuals and families served and the effectiveness of Department programs. In partnership with the programs, redirects engagement efforts toward underrepresented populations.
• Collaborates with programmatic and operational teams to develop outcomes, metrics, and goals that ensure accountability towards accountable, compliant, transparent, responsive, inclusive, equitable, accessible, and participatory delivery of services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive knowledge of programs administered by the Department
• Federal and State laws governing Department programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Principles and practices of public administration
• Full range of complex management functions of a responsible and confidential nature
• Research, methodology, project planning, development, organization and work flow techniques
• Leadership and team building methodologies, supervisory and evaluation practices relevant to professional and administrative staff
• Methods used for creating, implementing, and monitoring performance measures
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, internet, and other appropriate software

Skills In:

• 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, correspondence, issues, and position papers
• Plan, analyze and coordinate activities
• Gather, organize, and summarize information and data from varied sources, creating and maintaining comprehensive reports
• Initiate and maintain complex and difficult working relationships with a diverse group of staff
• Performing a full range of complex administrative, managerial and supervisory functions in a responsible, professional and confidential manner

Ability to:

• Review federal regulations and interpret the intent for application purposes
• Coach, counsel, mentor, listen and lead in a fast-paced environment
• Manage a diverse group of employees; direct, motivate, and instill confidence in subordinates employees; delegate, train and evaluate
• Identify and analyze organizational and/or procedural problems and determine effective solutions
• Respond to internal and external customers with tact, diplomacy, accuracy, and appropriate and timely information
• Create, maintain, and complete special projects and reports with accuracy and timeliness
• Interact with other departments, outside representatives, and community groups/leaders
• Exercise a high degree of discretion, confidentiality, and independent judgment.
• Organize and control long and short term projects and define objectives and deadlines
• Handle daily demands, change priorities, and adapt to rapid changes in workload as required

Selective Preference(s):

This ideal candidate for this position will have: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the areas of government, public policy, or public administration. Experience working in a public agency serving a large population preferred. Advance degree may substitute for experience on a year to year basis. Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree and/or relevant program certifications preferred.
• This position may require 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 operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
• 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 about this career opportunity, please contact us at email [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 [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.