Associate General Counsel - Regulatory

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. 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.

This position has the potential to work from a Virtual Office (VO) setting or may telecommute based on the needs of the unit and at the discretion of leadership.

About the role

The Associate General Counsel provides legal advice to the AHCCCS Administration regarding the AHCCCS Program and assists with oversight and guidance to the regulatory unit and various divisions within the Agency. This position works collaboratively to provide legal counsel and representation to clients and development of regulatory and policy initiatives, including rulemaking.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel and business advice to various divisions within the agency on a day-to-day basis.
• Performs legal research, provides legal advice, and prepares related legal documents consistent with state and federal law as part of 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 regulatory and policy matters.
• Reviews, negotiates, and prepares diverse contracts and intergovernmental agreements to ensure compliance with procurement requirements; interprets contracts and advises and represents the agency in contract disputes and negotiations.
• Assists with the oversight and drafting of administrative rules consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, program requirements, and Agency objectives.
• Performs review of proposed and current state and federal statutes and regulations, policy proposals, policies and procedures, sensitive correspondence, contractual provisions, administrative and judicial matters, and other materials affecting the program and advises the Administration regarding potential impacts.
• Reviews Administrative Law Judge Recommended Decisions and assists with the preparation of Director Decisions and Final Decisions.

Requirements

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience in 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.

Skills

• Knowledge of administrative hearing and rule-making process, legal research methods and principles, legal aspects of health care, managed care programs, entitlement programs (including Title XIX and Title XXI), grant programs and funding, trust law, ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees, Arizona law regarding public records and rule making, federal and state laws and regulations, AHCCCS programs, policies and procedures, administrative law, contract law, tort law, relevant court decisions, rules of evidence, and court rules.
• Experience in resolving issues involving the application of State and Federal law as it relates to the treatment of trusts in determining eligibility for AHCCCS and Title XIX programs.
• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy laws and regulations; Part 2 Privacy provisions (42 CFR Part 2) and substantive and procedural due process.
• Skill in writing/preparing complex documents/reports, preparation of complex legal documents including pleadings, motions, discovery, affidavits or declarations, researching and extracting relevant information, utilizing interpersonal skills, sound judgment, oral and written communications, effective negotiation skills, and an adaptable, cooperative, and persuasive approach.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, legal project management, and facilitation skills, including project development, organization, and prioritization.
• Computer system skills, including advanced Microsoft Office skills and Google Suite.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Ability to analyze and present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form, identify and perform analysis/synthesis of complex issues, plan, prioritize and organize multiple projects and tasks, and communicate complex issues verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.

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.
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, driver’s license requirements apply.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.
• Option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule.

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.

Pay

$82,500