Disability Determination Manager

Arizona Department of Administration • Tucson, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Disability Determination Manager works for the Department of Economic Security’s Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility, Disability Determination Services Administration, in Tucson, Arizona. Through subordinate leadership, the manager oversees professional Disability Specialists, Medical Consultants, and support staff who analyze and determine eligibility for Social Security disability insurance and supplemental security income benefits. This is an in-office position.

The manager oversees DDS operations, develops strategies to meet workload and changing priorities, supervises Unit Supervisors, Medical Consultants, and the Professional Relations Officer, and monitors staff performance. The position also handles correspondence and reporting, participates in program and fiscal analysis, coordinates meetings and exchanges information with other agencies and levels of government, and directs the Administration when the Program Administrator is absent. Travel may be needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree plus 1–3 years of progressive work experience, typically in Benefits and Eligibility, with knowledge at the level of a Disability Determination Hearing Officer.
• Alternatively, 4–7 years of progressive work experience, typically in Benefits and Eligibility, with knowledge at the level of a Disability Determination Supervisor.
• Knowledge of complex federal laws, regulations, and policies governing disability benefit eligibility under the Social Security Act.
• Knowledge of program planning and evaluation methods, management and program policies, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of medical, physiological, and psychiatric terminology and the effects of related conditions on functional capacity.
• Knowledge of research analysis involving statistical data or policy and procedural changes.
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles, public administration, and ADOA and DES rules, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in critical thinking, attention to detail, and using automated systems to enter, retrieve, research, analyze, and interpret data.
• Skill in interpreting complex federal, state, departmental, and legislative rules, laws, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in managing administrative functions and clearly presenting complex information orally and in writing.
• Skill in composing policies, procedures, issue documents, correspondence, and position papers; managing projects and time; and performing complex work using independent judgment.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including prioritizing tasks, navigating multiple applications, and compiling information from varied sources into comprehensive reports.
• Ability to organize and direct the work of others, analyze situations accurately, and take effective action.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge and skills effectively.
• Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with public and private organizations, institutions, agencies, and individuals, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, complete special projects and reports accurately and on time, adapt to changing priorities, and manage changing workloads.
• Ability to manage a diverse group of employees and work toward short- and long-range goals.
• Ability to communicate and present plans, respond to management questions, and work independently with limited direction as well as in a team.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks.
• Complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Undergo mandatory fingerprinting and an associated FBI background investigation under HSPD-12 for DBME Disability Determination Services Administration employees.

Nice To Haves

• Progressive Benefits and Eligibility experience and acquired knowledge at the level of a Disability Determination Hearing Officer or Disability Determination Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Oversee DDS operations, develop strategies to meet workload demands, and develop initiatives to address changing priorities.
• Directly supervise Unit Supervisors, Medical Consultants, and the Professional Relations Officer.
• Develop evaluation methods for subordinate staff and monitor the performance of direct and indirect reports.
• Read incoming correspondence, memos, and reports; plan and formulate responses or other needed actions.
• Compose correspondence on matters requiring discretion, judgment, and decision-making.
• Supervise and evaluate subordinate supervisors and highly skilled technical personnel.
• Analyze and review complex data and participate in preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual fiscal, contractual, and programmatic reports.
• Develop meeting agendas and attend professional meetings and forums.
• Confer with staff from other states and levels of government to coordinate actions and exchange information.
• Direct the Administration in the Program Administrator’s absence.
• Organize, direct, coach, counsel, mentor, motivate, delegate, train, and evaluate employees.
• Travel as needed.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Arizona State Retirement System participation and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Stipend opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and public transit subsidy
• Career advancement and employee development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager