Senior Associate General Counsel

AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is Arizona's Medicaid agency, driven by its mission to deliver comprehensive, cost-effective health care to Arizonans in need. It is a nationally acclaimed model among Medicaid programs and a recipient of multiple awards for workplace effectiveness and flexibility. AHCCCS employees are passionate, high-performing, and dedicated to serving Arizona citizens. The agency offers meaningful career opportunities in a competitive industry, with remote work options for eligible positions.

Senior Associate General Counsel

Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

Job Location: 150 North 18th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Telecommute possibility: This position may be worked from a Virtual Office (VO) setting or may telecommute based on unit needs and leadership discretion.

Posting Details: Salary: $90,000 - $100,000
Status: FLSA Exempt
Grade: 1
Closing Date: Open until filled

Job Summary

The AHCCCS Administration administers Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance, and the behavioral health system. As part of the OGC team, the Senior Associate General Counsel provides legal advice regarding the AHCCCS Program, oversees litigation support, and assists with guidance to the litigation unit and various divisions within the agency. The role collaborates to provide legal counsel, representation in administrative hearings, and development of litigation strategy.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and business advice to divisions on day-to-day business, including legal research, advice, and preparation of related documents.
• Draft complex correspondence on behalf of divisions and interface directly with external public and private entities, including state and federal officials regarding litigation matters.
• Represent the Agency in various administrative and regulatory matters and support staff representing the Agency at administrative hearings.
• Supervise professional and administrative staff, providing leadership, coordination, and oversight of work performed by outside counsel for litigation matters.
• Review proposed and current state and federal statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, and contractual provisions; advise administration on potential impacts.
• Review and analyze trusts associated with benefit applications for compliance (42 U.S.C. 1396p); recommend amendments or approvals as needed.
• Review Administrative Law Judge Recommended Decisions and assist with the preparation of Director Decisions and Final Decisions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of:

• Administrative hearing and rule-making process
• Legal research methods and principles
• Legal aspects of health care, managed care and entitlement programs (Title XIX, Title XXI, grant programs)
• Trust law and Arizona law on trusts
• Ethical standards for lawyers and public employees
• Arizona public records law
• Arizona rule-making law
• Federal and state laws, regulations, AHCCCS programs, policies, and procedures
• Administrative law, contract law, tort law, court rules, evidence rules
• HIPAA privacy laws and regulations, 42 CFR Part 2

Skill in:

• Writing and preparing complex documents and reports
• Preparing legal pleadings, motions, discovery, affidavits, or declarations
• Researching and applying relevant information to complex cases and assignments
• Interpersonal skills, sound judgment, oral and written communication, negotiation, adaptable, cooperative, persuasive approach
• Organizational and project management skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office and Google Suite proficiency
• Leadership and management

Ability to:

• Analyze and present legal positions clearly in written and oral form
• Synthesize complex issues and present recommendations and reports
• Plan, prioritize, and organize multiple projects and tasks
• Communicate complex issues verbally and in writing concisely
• Build strong relationships inside and outside the organization
• Work independently and as part of a team

Selective Preference(s)

Minimum:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and valid Arizona license to practice law

Preferred:

• Minimum of three years' experience in health law, Medicare/Medicaid financial law, or representing state or federal agencies
• Experience leading business, program, and operational units in a large organization

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Pass fingerprint background check, employment verifications, and reference checks; employment contingent upon completion and agency's ability to accommodate restrictions.
• Travel may be required for state business; employees driving for business must complete required driver training.
• All new hires must complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time (13 and 12 days annually)
• Paid parental leave (up to 12 weeks)
• Additional leaves: Bereavement, civic duty, military
• Lifetime pension benefit program
• Comprehensive insurance: medical, dental, life, disability
• Participation in Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (meeting qualifications)
• RideShare and public transit subsidy
• Learning and career development opportunities

Remote work is a management option and not an entitlement. Agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Retirement

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program

• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan providing lifelong income
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability and ASRS retirement plan
• Pre-tax payroll contributions 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 reasonable accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter, alternative format) by emailing Requests should be made early to allow time for arrangements. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.