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.

Benefits and Eligibility Specialist Senior (Eligibility Interviewer Lead)

Job Location:

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
Family Assistance Administration (FAA)
Phoenix Customer Care Center
8620 North 22nd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85021

Posting Details:

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

Grade: 19

Closing Date: October 7, 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 ‘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) for the Phoenix Customer Care Center. This position is responsible for primarily serving as a lead to Benefits and Eligibility Specialists, providing assistance, direction, monitoring, and training in the areas of fraud, overpayment interviewing and investigative techniques including troubleshoots problem situations and assists in diffusing difficult customer situations. The position is also responsible for performing complex eligibility work, to include determining initial and ongoing eligibility for public assistance programs and services.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Primarily serves as a mentor, lead or coach to lower-level staff. Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details, payment methods, and applicants' legal rights. Interpret the meaning of information for others, translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Assists with determining initial and ongoing eligibility for benefits and public assistance programs and assists with processing cases by verifying customer statements, completing evaluations and review sheets, setting up records and files, keeping applicants informed, advising of alternatives and maintaining records.
• Ensure accuracy and timely completion. Responsible for ensuring assignments and projects are completed to meet the daily objectives, performance measures and goals of the agency; plan workflow and control the daily working arrangements for assignments or duties assigned; consult with appropriate personnel regarding program objectives, accountability and delivery of services.
• Documents data and information gathered and compare findings with established guidelines of the eligibility programs. Compile, record, and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status.
• Prepares for regional and state reviews and audits by identifying problematic areas. Keep records of assigned cases and prepare required reports.
• Provides technical support to ensure staff are in compliance with eligibility rules, policies, standards and processes to ensure the accuracy of each determination per policy and procedures for each program applied for.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

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 area of assignment.
• Program services used to conduct quality control reviews and automated systems and software.
• Interviewing and assessment techniques and Customer service practices.

Skills 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) and resolve program-related issues and provide technical assistance to staff.
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations and access, maintain, review and interpret database information.
• Lead, direct, and train other eligibility staff and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Explain program benefits, requirements, procedures, complex rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• One to two (1-2) years of experience performing eligibility reviews and determinations.
• 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.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

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. Driver’s License Requirements

Successfully pass background and reference check; 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).

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 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

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 here.

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 Fernando Bojorquez Vega at cbojorquezvega@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 480-356-6674. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.