Deputy General Counsel - Litigation

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid Agency, is seeking a Deputy General Counsel - Litigation to provide strategic legal counsel and leadership to its Office of General Counsel (OGC). This role involves overseeing the litigation team, providing guidance on complex state and federal laws related to Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance programs, and the behavioral health system. The position offers the potential for remote work within Arizona, based on business needs and performance. The State of Arizona promotes a work culture of flexibility, autonomy, and trust, with many employees participating in the Remote Work Program.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Must obtain a current license to practice law in the state of Arizona within 4 months of hiring (if applicable and must maintain a valid license to practice law in the state of Arizona as a condition of employment.
• Three or more years of management experience providing direct supervision and overseeing activities of professional staff.
• Federal and state laws and regulations concerning Title XIX, Title XXI, state based behavioral health programs, and other public benefit programs
• AHCCCS Program and health care entitlement programs
• Legal aspects of health care, including administrative law, the Administrative Procedure Act, civil litigation, rulemaking, health care compliance, and the legislative process
• Privacy and confidentiality provisions, including HIPAA privacy and security provisions
• Personnel management
• Regulation of managed care delivery systems and health plan and provider reimbursement
• Rules of procedure related to judicial and administrative matters in complex litigation
• Public records
• Ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees
• Drafting and preparing complex and sensitive documents, including but not limited to, legal opinions, reports, affidavits, motions, discovery, and declarations
• Senior level oral and written communications and strong interpersonal skills in one-on-one interactions as well as large groups
• Leadership, management and supervision of professional and administrative staff
• Complex negotiation
• Effectively collaborating with individuals in positions at all levels
• Conflict management and resolution
• Organizational skills to coordinate and keep on target multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Complex analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills
• Project management including project development, organization and prioritization
• Computer systems skills, paperless office skills
• Attention to detail, timeliness, and accuracy
• Analyzing, presenting issues and providing legal advice related to administrative and judicial matters
• Identify complex legal, operational, and programmatic issues, and proposed solutions
• Exercise sound judgment in making decisions and provide sound advice, act professionally and ethically
• Present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Perform analysis/synthesis of complex issues, presenting recommendations and reports
• Plan, prioritize and organize multiple complex projects and tasks
• Communicate complex issues verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Effectively lead, motivate, and develop staff to achieve program goals and strategies and improve operations
• Effectively resolve employee relations needs
• Assist in developing process improvements
• Work independently, accurately and timely complete complex assignments, and perform under pressure and short timeframes with shifting priorities

Nice To Haves

• Five to seven years of experience combined in the following areas: Health law, Medicare/Medicaid healthcare finance, or prior experience representing state or federal agencies Leadership of business, program, and operational units of a large organization.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervises and provides strategic leadership and management over the litigation team within the Office of General Counsel, with oversight of their activities and performance to ensure effective operations and to enhance OGC performance, fostering achievement of strategies, goals, and objections and supporting and guiding the culture of the division.
• Provide guidance, coaching, development of staff, and project management for the litigation team within the Office of General Counsel.
• Provides legal counsel and business advice to various divisions within the agency on a day-to-day business.
• Perform legal research, provide legal advice, and prepare related legal documents consistent with state and federal law concerning the legal representation of AHCCCS.
• Drafts complex correspondence on behalf of various divisions and directly interfaces with external public and private entities, including state and federal government officials regarding litigation matters.
• Coordinate, assist, and oversee work performed by outside counsel assigned to various litigation matters for the agency in various judicial and administrative proceedings regarding the administration of the program.
• Coordinate efforts with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Office of Arizona Attorney General and other state/ federal law enforcement entities such as the United States Attorney's Office and County Attorneys' Offices on issues related to the administration of the program.
• Respond to discovery requests, subpoenas, and public records requests while ensuring compliance with state and federal privacy, litigation risks, and public record-keeping requirements.
• Assist with the drafting and negotiation of the Medicaid State plan and the section 1115 waiver documents.
• Assist with negotiation and preparation of diverse contracts and intergovernmental agreements; ensure compliance with procurement requirements; interpret contracts and advise and represent the agency in contract disputes.
• Assist with promulgating administrative rules to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy, and/or describe the procedures or practice requirements of an agency.
• Assist with the preparation and timely issuance of Director’s Decisions upon receipt of Administrative Law Judge Recommended Decisions.

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees