Home Modification Specialist

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.

HOME MODIFICATION SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Posting Details:

Salary: $45,000.00 - $51,393.68 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: December 5, 2024

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 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 Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Home Modification Specialist. 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.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meetings 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:
• Travel statewide to complete home modification assessments. Conduct monitoring visits after the home modification are complete to monitor for quality assurance to ensure the modifications are complete according to the project specifications and the customer’s satisfaction. Updates database and other electronic application systems to document actions.
• Reviews/approves the prescription for the home modification service. Develops the Project Specification and Price Sheet (PSPS) to solicit bids for the Contractor Selection Process. Reviews pricing submissions and selects a contractor to perform the modifications. Communicates with contractors, the member and member’s Support Coordination team.
• Monitors the project for quality assurance and to ensure project completion date us met. Completes, reviews and provides approval for Unforeseen Circumstances and/or Change Orders for the current project specification, completes project follow up as required. Coordinates monitoring visits with the member/ responsible person and the assigned contractor to resolve concerns as required.
• Investigate member and/or provider complaints and grievances as well as develop the resolution plan to address the grievance.
• Submits recommendations for services denial along with summary and support documentation to the Medical Director/designee.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:
• Arizona Revised Statutes and Arizona Administrative Code related to regulatory enforcement and regulatory authority.
• Standards of ethical conduct and Federal, State laws and rules pertaining to contracts as well as State contracting rules, policies and procedures.
• AHCCCS guidelines related to environmental modification and Budget development and appropriate use of expenditures.
• Specialized environmental modification equipment for individuals with developmental disabilities; Community resources.
• National Fire Protection Codes (NFPC) and Residential construction building codes.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Accessible Housing Guidelines.

Skills In:
• Prioritizing work, managing workload and staying on task; Interviewing and evaluating to determine medical necessity.
• Communication (written and verbal) including the ability to concisely explain concepts to members, leadership and staff within and outside the agency; Web-based applications, Google Applications and Workspace, Drafting and/or CADD Software.
• Applying and interpreting Federal and State las, regulations, policies and procedures as they pertain to Home Modification as well as AHCCCS and Division policies.
• Oral/written communication; Problem-Solving, conflict resolutions and decision making; Interpersonal relations skills as it relates to contact in-person, over the phone and via email.
• Strong customer service; Planning, organizing, and time management. Writing complex and comprehensive documents including reports, data driven outcome reports, evaluations, and policies and procedures.
• Contract negotiation, Draft, reading and translating floor plans and blueprints; Identifying and interpreting applicable federal and state law, rules and regulations including ADA accessible Housing Guidelines and relevant AHCCCS eligibility requirements.

Ability to:
• Establish and maintain working relationships with colleagues, staff, other departments and the public at large, Demonstrate tact and diplomacy in representing the department.
• Adapt to new policies, procedures and technologies; Respond effectively to sensitive inquiries and complaints including quality of care concerns.
• Understand and address the concerns of individuals overseen by Home Modification; Focus on specifics and take note of discrepancies in documentation, written communication and other required duties.
• Communicate effectively, work cooperatively with other independently with minimal supervision; Demonstrate oral and written communication skills; Analyze and interpret complex documents, policies and procedures.
• Manage workload, prioritize and maintain timelines. Organize and maintain an electronic file system; problem-solve, decision making, continuous improvement and financial accountability.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; Assure confidentiality of work-related matters; follow verbal and written instructions; complete documentations accurately and maintain timelines with all required duties.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
• Two (2) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Strong knowledge of American with Disabilities Act (ADA); residential, plumbing and electrical constructions; AHCCCS Medicaid rules, regulations and requirements.
• Candidate must have experience in commercial or residential, plumbing and electrical construction with knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and familiarity with AHCCCS Medicaid rules, regulations and requirements including Uniform Building Code Chapter 11 Accessibility Guidelines.

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. 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 operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11).
● Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
● As required by AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual Section 1240 – Home and Community Based Services Section 1240 – I Home Modifications 1240-I.B.1.d, an assessment by a qualified professional, usually an occupational or physical therapist. An assessment by a Certified Environment Access Consultant (CEAC) can be used in lieu of an assessment from an occupational or physical therapist.
● 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.
● 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
• 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

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 Shobana Jeyaraj at 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@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 480-915-7157 or shjeyaraj@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

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