DSHS HCLA Senior Policy Analyst

Full Job Description

This is a project-based role for a Senior Policy Analyst reporting directly to the State Unit on Aging Office Chief and is a senior-level policy and program expert responsible for guiding the implementation, management, and evaluation of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program across initiatives for Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA). The RHT Program, established under the H.R.1 budget reconciliation bill and administered by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides federal funding for up to five years to strengthen rural health care delivery, expands access to essential services and supports, and supports sustainable, community-based care models across Washington’s rural and frontier regions.

We’re stepping into something big, and we’re looking for someone who’s energized by the chance to bring clarity where it doesn’t yet exist. There’s a huge amount of information to sort through, a fast-moving timeline, and important questions about how we support and protect our partners. Because we don’t have historical knowledge to lean on, this is an opportunity for someone who loves building structure from scratch, defining the rules of engagement, and shaping how a program operates. If you’re the kind of person who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys creating order out of complexity, and wants your work to truly matter, you’ll have an outsized impact here.

Work will be remote the majority of time with occasional meetings, which will require in-person attendance.

Requirements

Manage/lead the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program

• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and reporting structures to support effective program execution.
• Provide oversight to meet implementation guidelines for RHT initiatives across HCLA units.
• Provide strategic leadership, technical and tactical support for the RHT Workplan implementation and provide subject matter expertise across HCLA units.
• Provide oversight of project activities across HCLA units, ensuring consistency, accountability, and timely progress.
• Lead the HCLA teams to update policy and/or contracts to meet funder requirements as needed.
• Lead the HCLA team to ensure that RHT program metrics are clearly outlined in policy, contracts and strategically monitor programs for projected outcomes as evidenced through achieved metrics.
• Develop and maintain strategic alliances with internal and external partners around RHT program initiatives.
• Lead a collaborative effort to gather the data needed to report on RHT program initiatives and attained program metrics.
• Provide bill analysis for the impact of legislation related to RHT programs as warranted.

Manage internal and external partnerships around the implementation, ongoing service delivery, and evaluation of Rural Health Transformation (RHT) programs

• Serve as a subject matter expert on RHT programs for HCLA initiatives
• Actively participate with inter Departmental partners involved with RHT program initiatives.
• Develop strategies and Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) RHT program communications encompassing broad strategies to engage individuals in geographically rural areas of Washington state to access services to support their health.
• Assist community partners in planning for and establishing community-based rural health services for people living in geographically rural areas of Washington State.
• Provide strategic guidance and technical assistance to strengthen connectivity, relationship and programmatic linkages related to RHT programs with external partners in rural health public health sectors.
• Develop strategies and guidance and strengthen relationships to improve quality of care and outcomes through consultation, programs and models promoting coordination between rural health care organizations/systems and RHT programs.
• Collaborate with programs and services in the LTSS, including WA Cares and Older American Act programs, system for strategic planning purposes using subject matter expertise to enhance service delivery and access.

Policy, Resource and Program Development for the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) programs

• Interpret federal guidance and translate into actionable state-level policies and operational strategies for the RHT program initiatives in HCLA.
• Integrate goals and objectives related to HCLA RHT programs into the strategic plan as needed
• Identify strategies to educate internal and external partners to optimize understanding and coordination of HCLA RHT programs within the scope of existing services and supports
• Provide subject matter expertise for the HCLA RHT program evaluation and contract monitoring
• Inform internal and external partners of RHT program policies that are important to achieve RHT evaluation metrics.
• Provide technical assistance and support to RHT program contractors.
• Receive and review information and data from HCLA RHT program providers.
• Lead the development of required reports to CMS, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with federal expectations.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, social science, public administration, or a related field AND five years of professional experience identified below.

OR

Nine years of equivalent combination of education and experience, where professional experience identified below may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE

• Planning and/or administering programs in communities.
• Convening and/or leader stakeholder and partner groups and facilitating meetings.
• Engaging internal and external partners in the development of strategic planning and policy initiatives. Leading multisector teams/workgroups and/or successfully managing multiple projects from inception to completion.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Considerable knowledge of the human service/health care delivery system including the roles and relationships among state agencies, national stakeholders and partners, and community service providers.
• Knowledge and skills in management principles including: policy writing, project management, contract negotiation, budget development, and community services planning and development.
• Knowledge of advanced principles of management including leadership, strategic planning, quality management techniques, community organization skills, budget, work plan and other workflow methods.
• Demonstrated analytic and problem-solving skills and ability to work with diverse groups and facilitation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet federal and state deadlines.
  Ability to make critical decisions; follow through with implementation and evaluations as necessary.

Preferred / desired education, experience and competencies:

• Master’s degree in social work, public health or social science, public administration, or related field.
• Extensive knowledge of Home and Community Services including the principles and values involved in person-centered, community-based long-term care for people geographically residing in rural areas of Washington State and the health care system that serves them.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the scope and operations Area Agencies on Aging and other community-based organizations.
• Ability to interpret statutes and regulations into policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop training/educational curriculum, conduct training/educational engagements in group settings and to engage the audience.

For more information: Please contact Kathy Simmons at kathy.simmons@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 02688.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Additional Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.



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