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.
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4
Job Location :
Address : Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
2327 West Campbell Avenue Phoenix Arizona 85015
Posting Details :
Salary : $53000.00 - $57000.00
Grade : 19
Closing Date : November 12 2025
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 that are committed to service community and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit ; or click on the link here to view Our DES video. Come join the DES Team!
The Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Mental Health Program Specialist 4. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities and their families services and supports that are flexible high quality and member driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community.
Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.
Job Duties :
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to :
Coordinate all the day-to-day ops during their assigned shift. Advises & provides info on member progress / issues staffing needs / scheduling. Reads & studies instructional or info material in order to increase & expand knowledge base specific to the members served. Reviews & evaluates the quality of services provided by staff. Evaluates work perf & provides feedback to staff. Admn & oversight for med admn & med monitoring.
Reviews assessments of member needs and prepares progress reports. Collects member-related data and compiles and documents it in the required format. Notes other information pertinent to each individual. Conducts individual and / or group facilitation and / or assists in specialized therapy -leads or leads in providing therapeutic treatment. Interacts on a one-to-one basis with members in problem-solving.
Attends and participates actively in Planning Team / Treatment Plan team meetings for members in the transition setting. Coordinates and monitors each members Behavior Plan and ensures that it is implemented as written. Confers with and advises lower-level staff on the ongoing Behavior / Treatment Plans for members.
Assists in responding to emergency situations including behavioral / psychiatric and medical emergencies assessing a members condition evaluating physical status and administering first aid. Provides direct personal care & assistance with w / daily living skills as needed.
Serves as the liaison to the behavioral health entities DDDs clinical staff and other providers involved with individuals living in the transitional facility. Discusses the concerns expressed by members and family members and listens and offers suggestions in accordance with program goals and objectives.
Provides on-the-job training to subordinates. Monitors the competencies of staff and provides ongoing training as needed. Follows & ensures staff compliance with policy regarding safety procedures.
Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs) :
Knowledge in :
Management and leadership techniques used in coordinating / leading lower-level staff.
Mental health principles and techniques are involved in treatment.
Principles and techniques used in teaching people with developmental disabilities in the area of daily living skills.
The requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The methods / procedures and techniques used in developing Individual Treatment Plans for clients with developmental disabilities and significant behavioral / psychiatric issues.
Problem-solving techniques.
Body mechanics are to be applied when utilizing physical restraint in an emergency situation.
Basic behavior building techniques.
Skills In :
Teaching and learning principles and applying behavior-building and re-motivation techniques.
Recognizing client disorientation aggressiveness and combative behavior.
Methods of techniques in crisis intervention.
Applying knowledge of body mechanics and interactions with the client when the client is out of control.
Leading recreational activities and daily living skills training.
Oral / written communications and interactions with staff clients and their families.
Communication policies and procedures and directions to lower-level staff.
Ability to :
Implement and develop behavior plans.
Provide specialized care treatment behavioral intervention and security for individuals with developmental disabilities and psychiatric / behavioral issues.
Interpersonal relations with staff clients the community and client families.
Delegate responsibilities prioritize tasks resolve problems and handle emergency staffing situations.
Selective Preference(s) :
The ideal candidate for this position will have :
5 years of experience in care & treatment of individuals with an intellectual and / or developmental disability and behavioral health OR 5 years experience in Behavioral Health; OR Masters degree in Psychology Social Work or Counseling w / an emphasis in clinical work or rehabilitation substitutes for the required experiance; OR Bachelors degree in above fields and emphasis substitutes for 3 years of reqd expriance AND 3 years supervisor experience.
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 : Drivers License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current valid class-appropriate drivers licensecomplete all required training and successfully pass all necessary drivers license record checks. The license must be current unexpired and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to Drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R.11).
Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
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
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster / adopted child (pilot program).
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition Reimbursement
Stipend Opportunities
Infant at Work Program
Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
Flexible schedules to create a work / life balance
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot 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 Ariana Dominguez at or .
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 or Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Required Experience :
IC
Key Skills
Facilities Management,Copy Editing,Cloud Services,Electronics,Interpretation,Accident Investigation
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience : years
Vacancy : 1
Monthly Salary Salary : 53000 - 57000
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