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.

DIVISION OF BENEFITS AND MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY (DBME)
Family Assistance Administration (FAA) 
Triage Customer Care Center
1800 East Palo Verde Street, Yuma, Arizona 85364

Salary: $21.4308 hourly ($44,576.06 annually) 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: September 2, 2026

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strength 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 Benefits and Medical Eligibility is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Benefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior (Eligibility Interviewer Lead) with the Triage Customer Care Center. This position is primarily responsible for leading Benefits and Eligibility Specialists, providing assistance, direction, monitoring, and training in the areas of fraud, overpayment, interviewing, and investigative techniques, including troubleshooting problem situations and assisting in defusing difficult customer situations. The position is also responsible for performing complex eligibility work, including determining initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs and services. This is an in-office position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Primarily serves as a mentor, lead or coach to lower-level staff. Employees in this class may conduct the initial and ongoing eligibility determinations requiring advance program knowledge.
  
• Prepares for regional and state reviews and audits by identifying problematic areas. Document’s data and information gathered and compares findings with established guidelines of the eligibility programs.
  
• Provides technical support to ensure staff are in compliance with eligibility rules, policies, standards, and processes.
  
• Compiles data for huddle boards, attends and participates in local office meetings and work groups, and communicates updates as directed.

Knowledge in:

• Federal, State, and agency statutes, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and related case administrative techniques.
  
• Policies, procedures, and programs of the department applicable to the area of assignment.
  
• Program services used to conduct quality control reviews.
  
• Automated systems and software.
  
• Mathematical computation.
  
• Interviewing and assessment techniques.
  
• Community resources; customer service practices.

Skill in:

• Written and verbal communication to explain and interpret Federal and State laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to the area of assignment.

Ability to:

• Evaluate and make appropriate decisions (or determinations).
  
• Resolve program-related issues.
  
• Provide technical assistance to staff.
  
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
  
• Access, maintain, review, and interpret database information.
  
• Compile and present program information.
  
• Lead, direct, and train other eligibility staff.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  
• Explain program benefits, requirements, procedures, and complex rules and programs so they Can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
  
• Work in a fast-paced call center environment and adapt to changing priorities and responsibilities.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Two years of experience as an Eligibility Interviewer with FAA.

• 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.
• 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).

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

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.

For questions regarding this career opportunity, please contact Alex Rivera at 480-910-0533 or [email protected]. 

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 Alex Rivera at 480-910-0533 or email [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.