AHCCCS

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
Accountability, Community, Innovation, Leadership, Passion, Quality, Respect, Courage, Teamwork

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid agency, is driven by its mission to deliver comprehensive, cost-effective health care to Arizonans in need. AHCCCS is a nationally acclaimed model among Medicaid programs and a recipient of multiple awards for excellence in workplace effectiveness and flexibility.

AHCCCS employees are passionate about their work, committed to high performance, and dedicated to serving the citizens of Arizona. Among government agencies, AHCCCS is recognized for high employee engagement and satisfaction, supportive leadership, and flexible work environments, including remote work opportunities. With career paths for seasoned professionals in a variety of fields, entry-level positions, and internship opportunities, AHCCCS offers meaningful career opportunities in a competitive industry.

Come join our dynamic and dedicated team.

Deputy General Counsel - Litigation

Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

Job Location:

Address: 150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85007

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.

Posting Details:

Salary: $120,000 - $140,000 

Grade: 1

FLSA: Exempt 

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Job Summary:

As the State agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance programs, and the behavioral health system, attorneys employed by AHCCCS are required to be capable of providing legal services related to the complex state and federal laws related to those programs as well as providing legal services relating to legal issues facing state agencies. Under the direction of the Deputy Assistant Director/Chief Deputy General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel overseeing the litigation team will provide strategic legal counsel to the Agency on a variety of complex high profile subjects and serve as a leadership manager of the Office of General Counsel, providing oversight, guidance, and direction of the litigation team including administrative and professional staff.

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.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Directly supervises and provides strategic leadership and management over the litigation team within the Office of General Counsel, with oversight of their activities and performance to ensure effective operations and to enhance OGC performance, fostering achievement of strategies, goals, and objections and supporting and guiding the culture of the division. Provide guidance, coaching, development of staff, and project management for the litigation team within the Office of General Counsel.
• Provides legal counsel and business advice to various divisions within the agency on a day-to-day business. Perform legal research, provide legal advice, and prepare related legal documents consistent with state and federal law concerning the legal representation of AHCCCS. Drafts complex correspondence on behalf of various divisions and directly interfaces with external public and private entities, including state and federal government officials regarding litigation matters.
• Coordinate, assist, and oversee work performed by outside counsel assigned to various litigation matters for the agency in various judicial and administrative proceedings regarding the administration of the program.
• Coordinate efforts with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Office of Arizona Attorney General and other state/ federal law enforcement entities such as the United States Attorney's Office and County Attorneys' Offices on issues related to the administration of the program.
• Respond to discovery requests, subpoenas, and public records requests while ensuring compliance with state and federal privacy, litigation risks, and public record-keeping requirements.
• Assist with the drafting and negotiation of the Medicaid State plan and the section 1115 waiver documents.
• Assist with negotiation and preparation of diverse contracts and intergovernmental agreements; ensure compliance with procurement requirements; interpret contracts and advise and represent the agency in contract disputes.
• Assist with promulgating administrative rules to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy, and/or describe the procedures or practice requirements of an agency.
• Assist with the preparation and timely issuance of Director’s Decisions upon receipt of Administrative Law Judge Recommended Decisions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
• Federal and state laws and regulations concerning Title XIX, Title XXI, state based behavioral health programs, and other public benefit programs
• AHCCCS Program and health care entitlement programs
• Legal aspects of health care, including administrative law, the Administrative Procedure Act, civil litigation, rulemaking, health care compliance, and the legislative process
• Privacy and confidentiality provisions, including HIPAA privacy and security provisions
• Personnel management
• Regulation of managed care delivery systems and health plan and provider reimbursement
• Rules of procedure related to judicial and administrative matters in complex litigation
• Public records Ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees

Skill in:
• Drafting and preparing complex and sensitive documents, including but not limited to, legal opinions, reports, affidavits, motions, discovery, and declarations
• Senior level oral and written communications and strong interpersonal skills in one-on-one interactions as well as large groups
Leadership, management and supervision of professional and administrative staff
• Complex negotiation
• Effectively collaborating with individuals in positions at all levels
• Conflict management and resolution
• Organizational skills to coordinate and keep on target multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Complex analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills
• Project management including project development, organization and prioritization
• Computer systems skills, paperless office skills
• Attention to detail, timeliness, and accuracy
• Analyzing, presenting issues and providing legal advice related to administrative and judicial matters

Ability to:
• Identify complex legal, operational, and programmatic issues, and proposed solutions
• Exercise sound judgment in making decisions and provide sound advice, act professionally and ethically
• Present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form
• Perform analysis/synthesis of complex issues, presenting recommendations and reports
• Plan, prioritize and organize multiple complex projects and tasks
• Communicate complex issues verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Effectively lead, motivate, and develop staff to achieve program goals and strategies and improve operations
• Effectively resolve employee relations needs
• Assist in developing process improvements
• Work independently, accurately and timely complete complex assignments, and perform under pressure and short timeframes with shifting priorities

Qualifications:

Minimum:
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Must obtain a current license to practice law in the state of Arizona within 4 months of hiring (if applicable and must maintain a valid license to practice law in the state of Arizona as a condition of employment.
• Three or more years of management experience providing direct supervision and overseeing activities of professional staff.

Preferred:
• Five to seven years of experience combined in the following areas: Health law, Medicare/Medicaid healthcare finance, or prior experience representing state or federal agencies Leadership of business, program, and operational units of a large organization.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Travel may 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.)

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.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child. Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Contact Us:

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.