Advocacy Program Specialist

The Division of Behavioral Health & Housing (DBHH) is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team as an Advocacy Program Specialist. This position will be responsible for the delivery of Special Assistance to individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) determination with an identified need (as defined by A.A.C. R9-21-104) in the Phoenix Metropolitan and Northern Arizona areas with activities that include: (1) education regarding an individual's rights, (2) advocate on behalf of clients, (3) assist clients in protecting their rights and obtaining needed services and (4) actively participate in the grievance and appeals process as necessary. This position also provides education, advocacy and support to the community as needed and as assigned.

This position requires in-state travel in the Phoenix Metropolitan and Northern Arizona areas up to approximately 50% of the time. Candidate may be eligible for remote work based in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

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:
• Provide intensive advocacy by representing individuals with an SMI determination and identified as in need of Special Assistance in the services planning, discharge planning and administrative grievance and appeals processes. Conduct meetings via telephone, video conference and in person as deemed necessary and follow the approved documentation protocol.
• Provide information, technical assistance and facilitate the resolution of issues with the Regional Behavioral Health Agreements (RBHA) and care providers to meet the needs of the clients.
• Promote client rights and protection through outreach, the distribution of educational materials and facilitation of group education in the community.
• Immediate representation to all newly assigned special assistance members, including but not limited to, initial outreach welcoming clients to OHR, explaining the role and preparing the advocacy chart.
• Provide advocacy and guidance to the community about SMI grievances and appeals and service & discharge planning.
• Completes weekly/monthly activity reports and database (case list) entries in a timely manner.

Knowledge of:
• Basic structure and operation of the behavioral Health system service and discharge planning processes; consumer rights
• SMI grievance and administrative appeal processes, rules, statutes and regulations that define the standards of care applicable to the behavioral health system
• Understanding of all applicable regulations, policies and procedures
• Practical application of working with stakeholders and clients including their natural and formal supports
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft products
• Understanding of HIPAA
• Understanding of the Arizona Administrative Code R9-21

Skill in:
• Negotiation skills including but not limited to collaborative communication
• Strong interpersonal skills with people of diverse cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds and those in crisis
• Effective written communication skills, including writing of reports and professional correspondence
• Time management and attention to detail
• Oral and written case preparation and presentation
• Proficient at review and interpretation of policy, law and designated record sets

Ability to:
• Communicate professionally, both orally and in writing with clients and their RBHA provider to facilitate resolution or presenting issues
• Effectively educate on how to navigate the behavioral health system, up to and including how to access services and exercise the SMI rights
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks and to re-prioritize as necessary
• Conduct client meetings by telephone, video conference or in person as guided by standard of work and immediate supervisor
• Research, comprehend and recite the Arizona Administrative Code R9-21 to enforce the SMI rights

Minimum:
• Two years of experience in Arizona's public behavioral health field and one year of experience in the provision of advocacy
• A current Arizona Driver's License

• 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).

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

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.

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.