ARIZONA COMMISSION FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

The purpose of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) is to ensure, in partnership with the public and private sectors, accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing to improve their quality of life.

DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS & PUBLIC POLICY

Job Location:

100 North 15th Avenue, Suite 104

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 

Grade: 28

This position will remain open until business needs are met

Job Summary:

Serve as the agency’s senior authority on legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters. Provide strategic analysis and recommendations to executive leadership on state and federal statutory, regulatory, and administrative issues affecting agency authority and operations.

This position directs the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks that shape agency authority and statewide service delivery systems. This position operates in a complex public governance environment where policy decisions carry statewide legal, fiscal, and operational impact.

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:

Legislative Affairs:

• Lead and execute comprehensive legislative strategies to advance agency initiatives, including stakeholder alignment and public communication alignment, and serve as a registered lobbyist in partnership with the Executive Director

• Maintain consistent, proactive engagement with legislators, policymakers, legislative staff, and relevant government officials to communicate and advance agency policy positions

• Support civic engagement efforts related to legislative and regulatory initiatives in coordination with agency leadership and relevant program areas

• Draft and refine bill language and amendments; lead statutory modernization initiatives; and coordinate sunrise review processes

• Evaluate statutory, fiscal, and operational impacts of proposed legislation

• Prepare executive testimony and policy briefings

Regulatory and Intergovernmental Affairs:

• Lead development, revision, and advancement of administrative rules through public notice and comment, including leading five-year rule reviews and coordinating required rulemaking submissions and review processes

• Monitor and assess state and federal regulatory developments affecting agency authority and provide guidance for compliance and implementation

• Build and sustain strategic coalitions with government and policy partners to strengthen regulatory and intergovernmental alignment

• Prepare and submit required state and federal regulatory filings and formal responses to public comment proceedings

• Ensure agency forms, directives, and procedures remain aligned with statute and administrative rule

• Engage federal, state, local, and tribal government entities to strengthen policy alignment

• Advance ongoing regulatory modernization initiatives

Legal and Policy Affairs:

• Provide statutory and policy review support related to agency contracts in coordination with the internal team

• Serve as primary internal policy and legal liaison in coordination with assigned legal counsel

• Develop and articulate agency policy positions related to federal and state disability statutes

• Support and prepare for administrative proceedings under applicable state statutes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Administrative rulemaking, regulatory development, and compliance principles

• Intergovernmental relations across local, state, federal, and tribal systems

• Political and governmental decision-making structures and processes

• Issues relevant to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals

• Statutory interpretation and public agency governance frameworks

• State and federal legislative processes and procedures

Skills in:

• Operating effectively in complex and high-visibility policy environments

• Building and sustaining strategic governmental relationships

• Preparing executive-level testimony and policy briefings

• Analyzing complex statutory and regulatory proposals

• Drafting legislative language and regulatory text

Ability to:

• Contribute to agency-wide strategic planning and budget development processes, including alignment with multi-year outcomes and executive reporting requirements

• Lead legislative and regulatory initiatives from concept development through implementation

• Exercise independent judgment in complex and evolving policy environments

• Translate legal and policy concepts into clear and actionable guidance

• Manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously

• Represent the agency in public settings

Selective Preference(s):

• Juris Doctor or advanced degree in public policy, public administration, or related field

• Fluency in American Sign Language

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and at least eight years of progressively responsible experience in legal, policy, government, public affairs, or human services roles

• Willingness to learn and develop proficiency in American Sign Language

• 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.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

• Vacation plus 10 paid holidays per year

• Health and dental insurance

• Retirement plan

• Sick leave

• 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

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

• Please note that enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

Contact Us:

• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lillian Gilmer at l.gilmer@acdhh.az.gov for assistance