Disability Determination 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
DISABILITY DETERMINATION SPECIALIST

Job Location :

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
Disability Determination Services Administration (DDSA)
Address: 4710 South Palo Verde Road, Tucson, Arizona 85714

Posting Details:

Salary: 24.1905 Hourly Grade: 19

Closing Date:
October 12, 2026

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 who 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.

The Disability Determination Services Administration is seeking a Disability Determination Specialist that can skillfully incorporate the goals of the company. This position will review medical evidence to decide whether applicants applying for Social Security disability benefits meets eligibility criteria. This is an in office position.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment while processing/making decisions on Social Security Disability Claims, including Re-determinations and Reconsideration Disability Claims (1st level of appeal) as described by SSA/DDSA policies and procedures in accordance with Federal and State rules and regulations.
• Makes final decisions on complex Social Security Disability claims.
• Gathers vocational, functional or medical evidence from claimant, third parties and existing medical sources.
• Interviews claimants by phone/or in person to resolve questions on application forms.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Complex Federal laws, regulations and policies governing eligibility for disability benefits under provisions of the Social Security Act
• Program planning and evaluation methods, management and program policies, practices and procedures
• Medical, physiological, and psychiatric terminology, including the effects of medical, physiological, and psychiatric conditions on functional capacity
• Policies and procedures established for the work system; research analysis of statistical data or policy/procedural changes; computer programs; principles and practices of leadership and management

Skill in:

• Critical thinking, detail-oriented, using automated systems to enter, retrieve, research, analyze and interpret statistical and programmatic data
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting complex federal, state, department, and legislative rules, laws, policies and procedures
• Managing and balancing various management and administrative functions and presenting information on complex issues and ideas clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Navigating multiple applications simultaneously and gathering, organizing, and summarizing information and data from varied sources, creating and maintaining comprehensive reports

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of public and private organizations, institutions, agencies, and individuals
• Communicate effectively while exercising a high degree of discretion and independent judgment
• Create, maintain, and complete special projects and reports with accuracy and timeliness while handling daily demands, change of priorities, and adapt to rapid changes in workload as required
• Effectively communicate and/or present plans and respond to questions from management and work with limited direction, independently as well as in a team.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor’s degree plus two years of professional level experience in adjudicating disability determinations for the Social Security Administration OR five years of related experience.

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.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the…