Careers

Description:

The Health Policy Specialist supports the Director of Legal and Government Affairs by having both internal and external organization responsibilities grounded in serving NPAIHB’s 43 member Tribes to further advance the Board’s mission through excellence in federal and state legislative and regulatory tracking, research, technical assistance, and related activities. Additionally, the Health Policy Specialist operates in a fast-paced environment that requires meeting and managing multiple deadlines, and extensive research and writing.

The Health Policy Specialist must have a strong understanding of the Indian health care delivery system, the federal trust relationship with Indian Tribes, and the legal, policy, and political frameworks impacting Indian Tribes. The Indian Health Policy Specialist must be a self-starter who pays close attention to detail. Discretion, good judgment, and the ability to handle confidential information are also required since this position works closely with Northwest Tribal Leaders on issues related to health care and public health in Tribal communities.

The Health Policy Specialist reports to the Director of Legal and Government Affairs. This scope of work is housed within the Executive Division.

This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon. Local travel and/or overnight travel outside of the area is required approximately 50-60% of the time.

Essential Functions

Health Policy Support

· Assists supervisor in organizing and implementing NPAIHB’s annual policy priorities, and provides support to align with the NPAIHB Strategic Plan

· Identifies, tracks, and analyzes health-related legislation (Medicaid/Medicare; behavioral health; public health, etc.) at the federal and state level that impacts NPAIHB member Tribes, American Indians/Alaska Natives, as well as the Indian Health Service and Tribal health programs

· Provides support to supervisor in the development of Indian health legislative and policy documents (e.g., white papers, background papers, briefings, resolutions, testimony, comments, timelines, tables, charts, presentations, talking points, articles memoranda, etc.)

· Tracks deadlines for supervisor and policy team, including setting NW Tribal caucus, preparing draft documents, and final drafts for dissemination.

· Supports supervisor with maintaining ongoing communication between NPAIHB, member Tribes, the Indian Health Service, and other governmental agencies

· Assists with articles to Health and News and Notes, as assigned

· Ensures policy documents are maintained in SharePoint

Health Policy Communications

· Supports supervisor in providing timely Indian health policy information to Northwest Tribes.

· Assists with daily tracking of federal and state legislation, regulations, memoranda and other policy documents, including news and media alerts; and keeps supervisor apprised of new developments

· Assists with gathering information for urgent and/or weekly electronic legislation/policy updates

· Assists with policy-related social media posts to NPAIHB platforms

Meetings & Organizational Representation

· Participates in policy meetings (virtual/in person, conference calls and webinars) and conferences with federal, state and tribal representatives

· Sets up policy meetings with federal, state and tribal representatives, as requested

· Prepares meeting schedules and agendas, as requested

· Tracks follow-up items from internal and external policy meetings

· Attends NPAIHB Quarterly Board Meetings and other meetings and conferences related to Indian health concern, as assigned

· Actively takes notes at meetings and provides meeting notes to supervisor

· Timely informs supervisor of important issues at policy meetings

Technical Assistance Support

· Tracks requests for information from federal, state and tribal representatives

· Responds to requests for information

· Supports supervisor in providing technical assistance support at meetings, as requested.

· Briefs Northwest Tribal Leaders on Indian health legislative and policy issues, as requested.

Administrative and Reporting Functions

· Supports supervisor in the preparation and submission of all required project reports within the IHS P.L. 93-638 Contract for Executive Direction activities

· Engages policy team staff in the collection of pertinent data to meet reporting requirements

· Prepares activity reports for NPAIHB Delegates, as requested

Skills/Eligibility:

Education

Minimum education required:

· Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, public health, law or related field

Additional education preferred:

· Master’s or other graduate degree (JD, PhD, etc.) in public policy, public administration, public health, law or related field

Experience

Minimum experience required:

· At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience in health policy research, writing and analysis

· Verifiable professional experience working with a Tribe, or 638 Tribal organization

· Demonstrated experience preparing written reports

Additional experience preferred:

· Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Demonstrated knowledge of the Indian Self-Determination Education Assistance Act, Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Affordable Care Act, Medicaid/Medicare, and other relevant Indian health related legislation

· Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes

· Demonstrated knowledge, discretion, tact, judgment, and overall ability in working effectively with Tribal, federal and state representatives

· Proficiency with computer applications (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office Suite programs)

· Strong technical writing skills, including good spelling and grammatical skills, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline

· Excellent research and analysis skills

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context

· Ability to work with minimal supervision, exercise initiative, and make independent decisions and recommendations

· Ability to make professional oral presentations in settings at the national, regional, and community levels, as well as in Tribal settings

· Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner

· Ability to travel frequently (approximately 50-60% of the time)

How to Apply:

· Please provide two (2) work samples demonstrating relevant experience in health policy research, writing, and analysis

· Candidates offered interviews may be asked to prepare additional materials for consideration, such as a brief presentation reflecting their knowledge on topics relevant to the positio