LEGAL ASSISTANT 2

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.

LEGAL ASSISTANT 2

Office of Inspector General
1789 West Jefferson Street Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $38,844-$42,394

Grade: 17

Closing Date: April 28, 2025

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!

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Legal Assistant 2. This position works with The Appellate Services Administration (ASA) provides an administrative hearing and review process for approximately 45 programs administered by DES. Subject matter generally falls into three main categories: benefit eligibility and overpayment, licensing and certification of service providers, and claimant fraud. This position functions as a Validator, Legal Assistant, and Docket Officer to provide support to the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) at the Office of Appeals. This function is mission critical, as ASA requires this journeyman level legal assistant position to provide daily advice to parties regarding the status of their Public Assistance (PA) appeals, answer process questions and provide assistance consistent with due process requirements. The Docket Officer responsibilities include communication to and from the ALJs with parties, which is required to prevent prohibited "ex-parte" communications. Direct communication with parties allows Docket Officers to assist in timely scheduling of PA hearings and enables parties to be more knowledgeable about the process and to prepare for, and participate in, their hearings.

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.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords flexibility, autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Answers elevated calls, Inquiries and concerns that could not be resolved by subordinates. Performs complex research in multiple databases and systems required to assist Validators and respond to inquiries and status of appeal calls. Registers parties for hearings utilizing designated computer programs. Explains appeal procedures and policies to parties and the public. Communicates with parties on behalf of Administrative Law Judges (ALJs)
• Analyzes jurisdiction, issues, etc. by reviewing imaged and paper documents per case.. Identifies and corrects errors and virtually prints missing documents. Uses PC to research related issues elevated by legal support staff or referred by ALJs, ASA management or other DES Departments.
• Timely and accurately processes requests for postponements, withdrawals, and other requests by parties and ALJs. Uses PC to input prompt and accurate notes regarding docket calls and processing requests on the Appeals Processing System (APS) regarding any party contacts on appeal cases, as well as include additional exhibits submitted by parties in the case file.
• Ensures incoming appeals meet noticing deadlines mandated by Federal and State laws. Researches appeal for potential to set aside and remand in order to expedite process for customers. Researches complex issues for case file in Healthy Arizona Plus (HEA+), AZTECS, and DBME OnBase to choose exhibits for a hearing.
• Elevates appeals to the Board for Appeals as necessary. Uploads Administrative Law Judge decisions, dispositions, and orders into HEA+ and AZTECS for department to take action. Follows up with Department Case Workers and Local Offices to ensure all action was taken on a case as instructed by Judge. Enters notes into Case Documentation in HEA+ and AZTECS.

Knowledge of:

• Healthy Arizona Plus Public Assistance online application system

• Auto Scheduling systems

• The Administrative Procedures Act

• MS Office (Word, Excel), Google Apps (GMail), Adobe Acrobat
  • Organization and maintenance of confidential paper and electronic files
  • Arizona Public Assistance and Unemployment Insurance law, practices and procedures
  • Customer service techniques: telephone, in person and office security procedures
  • Identification of complex legal issues with appeals in a timely manner;
  • Case management systems (e.g. APS, Clear2There, mainframe, HEAplus, AZTECS)
  • Virtual Office requirements related to remote work environment, and handling sensitive data
  
  Skills In:
  • Managing multiple computer programs at one time
  • Identifying appropriate legal documents in an
  • Imaging system to create and send out notices for hearing and create case files
  • Operating various office equipment
  • Customer service techniques
  • Interpersonal skills to handle internal and external customer complaints and concerns
  
  Ability to:
  • Effectively communicate (e.g. verbal, written and reading) with internal and external customers, ALJs, coworkers, agency personnel, supervisors and managers
  • Work with minimal supervision
  • Use critical thinking to analyze complex appeals requests, resolve conflicts between competing information, and extract and capture pertinent legal information
  • Adapt to prescribed procedures within the Administration
  • Perform repetitive detailed work with a very high level of accuracy and speed
  Multi-task
  • Manage conflicting priorities and demands
  • Analyze and research complex case information observing confidentiality policies and making command decision on assigning workload to meet legally mandated deadlines
  • Work with customers and staff of various backgrounds, nationalities, and needs

This ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Paralegal or Legal Assistant Certification from an accredited University, college or ABA accredited training program; Associate degree from an accredited college

Experience as a legal assistant

• This position may require 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. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11)• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
  • 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.

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

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 pilot 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 us at [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 [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.