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 that every child, adult, and family in Arizona will be safe and economically secure.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to make Arizona stronger by helping Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable.

DIVISION OF BENEFITS AND MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY (DBME)

Disability Determination Services Administration (DDSA)

4000 North Central Avenue Suite 1800, Phoenix, Arizona 85012
4710 South Palo Verde Road, Tucson, Arizona 85714

Salary: 33.4813 Hourly

Grade: 22

Closing Date: September 5, 2026

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 Disability Determination Services Administration is seeking a Disability Determination Specialist Intermediate that can skillfully incorporate the goals of the company as a Disability Determination Specialist Senior. This position serves as a team leader to others that performs a full range of professional Disability Specialists assignments in a full-functioning capacity. Claim types include Initials, Reconsiderations, Continuing Disability Reviews, Prehearings, and Expedited Reinstatements for both adults and children. Considerable independent judgment is used to make decisions in carrying out assignments that have significant impact on services or programs. This is an in office position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Gathers vocational, functional or medical evidence from claimant, third parties and existing medical sources.
- Makes final decisions on complex Social Security Disability claims (Title II and XVI).
- Decides when SSA documentation standards are met and determines the nature of impairments, degree of severity and functional limitations imposed.
- Confers with medical consultant on all decisions to discuss unresolved issues of medical severity and duration of impairments and functional implications of impairments.
- Orders consultative examinations as necessary to document claimants ability to function.
- Researches policy manuals (POMS), medical references, and vocational references to determine applicable administrative guidelines, severity and duration of impairments.
- Collaborates with leadership throughout the administration to ensure optimum workflow and mentors staff.

Knowledge in:

- The Social Security Administration concerning eligibility for disability benefits
- Program policies and procedures, various types of injuries, illnesses and diseases and their effects on functional abilities including medical terminology
- Federal and State laws regarding confidentiality of personal information and procedures for obtaining and disclosing information
- Various systems software applications that interface with Social Security Administration national systems and of the electronic disability process system

Skill in:

- Excellent writing to prepare detailed analyses of case facts, including medically determinable impairment(s)
- Case development and case management skills, with particular emphasis on meeting processing time and quality standards.

Ability to:

- Analyze medical information concerning various types of illnesses, injuries or diseases and related treatments
- Organize and prioritize a disability caseload
- Communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Provide consultation to others in the application of various policies and guidelines

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

- Bachelor’s degree plus three years of professional level experience in adjudicating disability determinations for the Social Security Administration OR six years of related experience.

- 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).
-HSPD-12 Background/Fingerprinting Security Clearance: Please be advised that all hires, transfers, and current employees within DBME Disability Determination Service Administration are subject to mandatory fingerprinting and an associated FBI background investigation by the Social Security Administration under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. Not all prior arrests and/or convictions will prohibit appointment.

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 about this career opportunity, please contact Jason Hamm at 520-235-1130 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 520-235-1130 or [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.