GENERAL MEMBER ADVOCATE

GENERAL MEMBER ADVOCATE

• 543558
• PHOENIX
• DEPT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY
• Full-time
• Closing at: Sep 27 2026 - 23:55 MST

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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.

GENERAL MEMBER ADVOCATE

Job Location:

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $53,500.00 - $55,500.00

Grade: 20

Closing Date: September 27, 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 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 Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a General Member Advocate. 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.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Provides education for members and families as it relates to understanding the DDD system of care including, but not limited to eligibility, policies and procedures, services, grievance process, vendor call process, etc.

Communicate and collaborate with members and families to identify concerns and remove barriers that affect service delivery or member satisfaction within the DDD system and other systems of care (education, justice, behavioral health, etc.). Attend meetings with members, staff meetings and community events.

Collaborates with other stakeholders within the DDD system and across other systems to ensure member needs are met.

Develops, maintains and evaluates service linkages with community partners to support members and families; maintains current information on community resources.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

Federal and State laws/rules and regulations pertaining to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Healthcare, behavioral health, social service, educational, and long-term care systems and how they intersect; Person-centered practices, self-determination principles, and trauma-informed approaches .

Community resources, entitlement programs, benefits, and advocacy services available to individuals with disabilities.

Confidentiality requirements, professional boundaries, and applicable regulations related to member information and services.

Cultural diversity and the impact of socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural differences on access to care and services.

Skills in:

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building; Effective verbal and written communication.

Strong advocacy and problem-solving skills to assist members in overcoming barriers and accessing needed support and services.

Conflict resolution, de-escalation, and navigating sensitive or emotionally charged situations with professionalism and empathy.

Organizational and time management; Documentation and computer skills necessary to maintain accurate records, reports, and case notes .

Ability to:

Establish trust and rapport with members, families, providers, and community partners; Manage multiple cases, priorities, and deadlines effectively.

Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and across community organizations; Empower members to make informed choices and advocate for their own goals and needs.

Assess member needs, identify barriers, and connect individuals to appropriate resources and services; Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.

Communication and support approaches based on individual member needs and levels of understanding.

Work independently while also contributing positively as part of a team; Remain calm, professional, and solution-focused in high-stress or rapidly changing situations; Promote dignity, inclusion, and respect for individuals with developmental disabilities in all interactions .

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• At least (2) two years of Case Management experience with DDD (AND)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

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. 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 operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11).
• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency''s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• 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

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 Shobana Jeyaraj at 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@azdes.gov.

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 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.