PROGRAM SPECIALIST

CareerArc; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at the Department of Economic Security, where your role as a Program Specialist will make a significant impact on the lives of Arizonans. This position focuses on supporting refugees in achieving economic self-sufficiency through collaboration with community organizations and stakeholders. You'll have the opportunity to employ your analytical skills to monitor program integrity, develop reports, and implement effective solutions to enhance service delivery. If you're passionate about community service and want to contribute to meaningful change, this role offers a fulfilling career path in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Affordable medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability insurance

10 paid holidays per year

Flexible schedules

Tuition Reimbursement

Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy

Career Advancement Opportunities

Wellness plans

Qualifications

• Knowledge of community resources and networks.
• Skills in data analysis and programmatic evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate efforts with stakeholders to support refugee resettlement.
• Monitor program compliance and assist in report preparation.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal relations

Public speaking

Cross-cultural communications

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services

Associate’s Degree in Human Services

Tools

Data collection methods

Program evaluation tools

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.

PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)

Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP)
Address: 1789 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $29.4910 Hourly

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 1/28/2025

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, Division of Aging and Adult Services, seeks an analytical, collaborative, highly motivated individual to join our team as a Program Specialist with the Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program. DAAS supports at-risk Arizonans to meet their basic needs and to live safely, with dignity and independence. Services and programs reach a diverse population of Arizonans.

Under supervision, you administer and provide oversight for your assigned program undertaking a broad range of functions and responsibilities. You coordinate efforts with the Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) contractors and a diverse array of community organizations and other groups. You implement monitoring and evaluation procedures to ensure program integrity. You assist in monitoring revenue, encumbrances, and expenditures to ensure fiscal compliance and efficiency in program area. You analyze and respond to quickly moving and time-sensitive issues. You deliver work products related to procurement, delivery of services, and funding and resource development. You develop and analyze data about program performance. You write a variety of technical and administrative federal and state reports. In-state and out-of-state travel is required.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate efforts with key stakeholders to support the goals of refugees achieving economic self-sufficiency and successfully resettling in Arizona. Monitor and provide technical guidance and assistance to contractors and community education to an array of stakeholders. Coordinate efforts and facilitate meetings with contractors, community partners, and stakeholders in the program area.
• Deliver assorted work products related to procurement, delivery of services, and funding and resource development. Develop tools to gather and maintain information necessary for programmatic assessment, analysis and reporting. Assist in preparing reports in accordance with governing requirements. Work to ensure refugees have meaningful access to programs and services for which they are eligible.
• Collaborate with colleagues on a variety of projects and tasks when necessary to ensure timely and quality completion of Administration goals.
• Employ good project management principles towards achieving goals (e.g., managing time effectively, analyzing and setting priorities, and providing necessary follow-through to ensure timely completion of projects). Identify and resolve any critical issues arising affecting projects and goals.
• Assist in the implementation of plans, manuals and directives. Analyze and assess policies, systems and services, recommend and implement improved approaches and paradigms.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Community networks and available community resources
• Data collection methods and interpretation for use in planning, program design, and implementation of quality refugee resettlement human services and supports
• Existing world refugee situation and populations as well as the service delivery network designed to support their successful resettlement
• Presiding equal and meaningful access provisions and corresponding requirements under the law

Skills in:

• Oral and written communication, interpersonal relations, public speaking and cross-cultural communications
• Research, programmatic/fiscal data analysis and evaluation in generating regular and ad hoc reports
• Tracking funding and resource development
• Multi-party program implementation and group facilitation

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse peoples, groups, and sets of circumstances in the course of work
• Organize effective collaborations and work groups
• Learn quickly, assess needs and opportunities, and take initiative to meet program goals
• Drive and make data-driven decisions and persevere in managing and implementing long-term projects

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Prefer Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and one year of human services experience;
• OR an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university and two years of human services experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• In-state travel is required. 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).

• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.

• A.R.S. 41-1968 Employee shall have a valid, unrestricted Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults, prior to the start of their employment.

• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), applicable to all newly hired State employees.

• Successfully pass background and reference checks

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
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

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 pilot programhere. 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 Cherece at 602-851-5683 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 Cherece at 602-851-5683 or [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.