The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is looking for highly skilled individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork to be part of our amazing culture of helping Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance.

The Division of Child Care (DCC) Early Childhood Education Quality and Systems Building Administration encompasses a continuum of services, programs, and professional development opportunities required within the Arizona Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) State Plan. This position provides a critical role in advancing and sustaining the child care provider network and functions as a content expert and project manager in early care and education including early childhood professional development, program quality, and systems building. DCC is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Program Development Specialist. This position directly assists the Program Development Unit with programmatic design, coordination and alignment across the early childhood system, statewide technical assistance both remotely and in-person, content related information for contracts and requests for proposals, programmatic monitoring of contracts, and participation in various statewide and community work groups, committees, and advisory committees. This position is responsible for working with contracted vendors to assess the delivery of high quality professional development training or programs including those required under the CCDBG Reauthorization. These programs and services include topics such as health and safety training, expulsion prevention, career and professional development, tribal and specialized child care services, and child care resource and referral.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees 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.

• Plan, develop, implement, and monitor early care and education contracts, programs and initiatives that support Arizona’s CCDBG state plan and advance the early childhood system, Monitor and evaluate contracts to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services statewide through review and analysis of data and information.
• Support strategic planning and program design with DCC and external partners and stakeholders to develop and implement effective programs and initiatives for the early care and education system.
• Conduct research in early childhood education and development to gain knowledge of trends and practices applicable to strategic direction and program design. Review and analyze data at the program, state and national levels to bring recommendations for systems change.
• Develop professional reports, standard work, position papers, summaries, and presentations representing outcomes and trends related to area of responsibility for various audiences
• Assist in writing policy and procedure relating to contract operations and program implementation; develop detailed service specifications and contractor requirements; develop and implement surveys/questionnaires for use in proposal requests.
• Coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders, community partners, inter-agency/intra-agency management teams to identify, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate strategies to improve outcomes related to the early care and education system.

• Bachelor's Degree in early childhood education, child development, education, social work, family studies, or a closely related field.
• 5 years experience in working with early care and education systems.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred

• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), applicable to all newly hired State employees.
• 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 position will require a current, valid Arizona Driver’s License. Travel will be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.) and have an acceptable driving record in accordance with DES Fleet Management-Safety Program policy and procedures (DES 1-07-26 & DES 1-07-26-01). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• Candidate shall have or meet the requirements to obtain prior to their first day of employment, a valid Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.

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 Daniel Worthington at (480) 653-3041 or DWorthington@AZDES.gov.
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (602) 542-8900. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.