Program Specialist Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Job No: 543556
Work Type: Full-time
Location: REMOTE OPTIONS, PHOENIX
Categories: Communication/Community Relations, Social Work/Human Services, Program Management
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.
PROGRAM SPECIALIST
HOMELESS PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Job Location:
Child and Community Services Division
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: $43,981.39 - $61,341.28
Grade: 21
Closing Date: September 14, 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 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 the 'Our DES' video. Come Join the DES Team!
The Department of Economic Security (DES), Child and Community Services Division (CCSD), seeks an experienced, highly motivated professional to join our team as a Program Specialist. This position will serve as a Homeless Program Support Specialist and will provide ongoing oversight and monitoring of assigned DES-funded Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs, services, and initiatives through numerous program contractors, community organizations, and other groups. This role will develop and implement service provisions for qualifying individuals, addressing their needs, and attaining the goals of the program, which includes the long-term effects facing groups experiencing homelessness throughout Arizona. This position will also coordinate and monitor existing community initiatives, providing technical assistance and understanding where community initiatives intersect with programmatic efforts. Develop operating procedures, plans, and manuals at management direction. Coordinates resources within and outside the Department. This position serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for assigned areas within DES Statewide Homeless Coordination Office.
This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona onlyand is based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.
The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.
Job Duties:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Oversee, manage, and monitor ESG grant, program, and service coordination activities.
• Develop and maintain annual reports and data analysis of the program.
• Monitor program contracts regularly to ensure compliance with the specific programmatic scope of work and federal regulations.
• Lead efforts to build and strengthen sustainable community partnerships. Coordinate solution-focused task forces, working groups, targeted and regular community consultations, and meetings around particular program areas and needs.
• Engage and network with relevant community partners. Field questions and requests to provide accurate information, maintaining program integrity.
• Will have contact with survivors of sexual violence.
• Track and prepare complex statistical, financial, and other data as necessary. Analyze and prepare reports on a regular basis to report on groups experiencing homelessness in Arizona.
• Maintain grant data and send update reports to the Governor's Office and federal funders to satisfy programmatic requirements.
• Write funding and resource proposals and submit timely and accurate reports for grant-funded efforts according to priorities.
• Work closely with senior management to ensure initiatives comply with federal and state laws, regulations, and administrative rules.
• Conduct analysis, develop and make recommendations, implement and monitor process improvements benefiting the agency and its customer base.
• Attend and represent the State of Arizona at various national conferences and meetings.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
• Applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, administrative rules and DES Division of Community Assistance and Development policies, procedures, and programs
• Delivery of human services, programs and systems, including contemporary service programs and delivery systems in public agencies
• National, sociocultural and linguistic differences among client populations
• Community organizations and networks, various agencies supporting human services
• and social service resources
• Principles and practices of budget development, expenditure control, and accounting
• Setting goals and strategic planning
• Federal and state legislative process
Skills In:
• Oral and written communication
• Planning, organizing, and leading effective, outcome-focused meetings with diverse stakeholders
• Resource development, including grant and project proposals
• Research, programmatic/fiscal data analysis and evaluation
• Building, establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal and work relationships with diverse individuals and groups
• Organizing effective collaborations and work groups
• Effective management of programs and staff
• Public speaking, cross-cultural communications and conflict resolution
• Establishing structure and systems through which activities are arranged, defined, and coordinated in terms of some specific objective
• Developing and writing contractual requirements for programs
• Developing, measuring and evaluating program outcomes
• Using a variety of computer software packages (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Suite, etc.)
Ability to:
• Write clear, concise and accurate reports (e.g., statistical, ad hoc, etc.)
• Interpret, apply and implement federal and state statutes, program policies and procedures
• Develop program goals, set priorities, and manage a widely varied workload
• Resolve complex problems and work effectively in high-pressure situations
• Analyze statistical/fiscal data and technical concepts
• Develop, test, and implement changes essential for continuous improvement
• Set relevant, necessary and achievable goals
• Learn quickly, assess needs and opportunities, and take initiative to meet program goals
• Identify and effectively address critical issues in a timely fashion and follow projects through completion
• Evaluate and continuously improve quality of work
Selective Preference(s):
The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• A bachelor's degree & 2 yrs of exp related to federal programming (e.g., aging, hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, refugee, or community action); OR 1 year as a Prog Spct working in programmatic implementation in AZ state gov't.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
• Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 41-1758.07: Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Secure clearance from the Department of Child Safety's Central Registry and the Adult Protective Services Registry.
• 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.
• This position requires driving and the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business; the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.
• 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 of paid leave for a 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
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.
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 Shannon Anguiano at (480) 876-0851 or email at ShannonAnguiano@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 OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
Advertised: 09 Sep 2026 US Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: 15 Sep 2026 US Mountain Standard Time
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