Hybrid Senior Federal Policy Analyst at Washington Health Benefit Exchange

The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.

The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.

The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:

Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange’s area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.

SUMMARY

The Senior Federal Policy Analyst is a senior role supporting Exchange response to federal action, including Exchange analysis of implications for policy, compliance, analytic, and operational response. The Senior Federal Policy Analyst analyzes and interprets federal and state laws and regulations, and leads through influence to help Exchange teams translate laws and regulations into strategies that fulfill the Exchange’s mission to help Washingtonians secure health insurance. Operating in an environment of significant change and uncertainty, the Senior Federal Policy Analyst is an innovative problem solver and systems thinker who is skilled in managing ambiguity for themselves and others. 

Based on research, data, discussion with state-based marketplaces and other stakeholders, and knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Senior Federal Policy Analyst will analyze state and federal health policy issues, develop options and recommendations, and respond to policy related questions from internal and external audiences. The position develops and performs analyses of issues for consideration by the Exchange Board, Executive Leadership Team, and Strategy & Policy Team, including efforts to maintain access to affordable health insurance to Washington residents. The Senior Federal Policy Analyst will use independent judgment and often work in inter-departmental teams to prepare options and recommendations critical to advancing quality health coverage and improving Washington Healthplanfinder design.

This position is a 12-month temporary role. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Serve as a subject matter expert and lead ongoing engagement with internal and external stakeholders and consultants, as needed, on development and implementation of Exchange initiatives that are responsive to federal policy. 

o    Collaborate and build relationships with other state agencies, state-based exchanges, and internal and external stakeholders to solicit feedback and gather information on best practices. 

o    Understand and represent the Exchange and its viewpoints with internal and external parties.

o    Draft and present policy papers, briefs, and reports that are tailored for distinct audiences about Exchange policy issues, including conducting quantitative analysis as needed. 

o    Support the management of contracts, budgets, timelines, workflows, and deliverables related to specific Exchange federal response issues.

•    Research, monitor, review, evaluate, and develop federal activity and responsive policy options and recommendations, and provide expert guidance to intradepartmental teams.  Identify benefits and drawbacks of existing and proposed policies or options, and develop recommendations based on agreed objectives or principles in the critical areas of eligibility, enrollment, data, compliance, and consumer experience. 

o    Lead projects involving data, reporting and analytics staff/contractors to perform data analysis on large data sets and present findings to Exchange stakeholders. 

o    Analyze and summarize Exchange impacts of relevant federal and state health legislation, regulations, and guidance. 

•    Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

•    Bachelor’s degree in health policy, public policy, public health, public administration, or related field.

o    Note: Additional years of experience in health policy, public administration, or public policy may substitute year-for-year for bachelor’s degree attainment.

•    Three years of experience in health policy, public policy, public administration, or legal background. Each year of postgraduate education can be substituted for a year of experience.

•    Show strong proficiencies in:

o    Systems thinking

o    Creative problem solving

o    Working independently and possessing strong collaborative skills

o    Leadership through influence

o    Stakeholder management

o    Managing ambiguity 

•    Ability to quickly analyze and interpret federal and state laws and regulations.

•    Understanding of the federal rule-making process, interpretation of federal guidance and the ability to respond to federal regulation in a timely manner.

•    Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

•    Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

•    Ability to accept responsibility and work in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment.

•    Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desired: 

•    Advanced degree in health policy, public policy, law, public health, or public administration preferred.  

•    Thorough knowledge and understanding of key components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other applicable state or federal law, especially health insurance exchanges and the health care industry, including Medicaid, the commercial insurance market, and other health delivery systems, and addressing or otherwise managing issues of access, affordability, and quality health care.

•    Knowledge of or experience in health equity.

•    Knowledge and experience in interpretation with state legislation and other state and federal laws governing health care programs in Washington state.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application with a cover letter as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. 

SALARY INFORMATION

Full Salary Range: $89,855.00 to $134,783.00 annually, with midpoint at $112,319.00. 

Hiring Range: $103,334.00 and $112,319.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer. 

The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market.  Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum. 

BENEFITS

Take a peek at our benefits package. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are times where irregular hours will be required.  The preferred duty station is our Olympia, Washington headquarters.  The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration.  While a hybrid remote and on-site schedule may be considered, the position will require flexibility to allow for in-office availability as business needs dictate. Travel requirements will be limited, however there may be occasions where an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment, including setup for remote work. The employee is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe, ergonomic, and secure workspace at their remote location.   

The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A criminal background screen will be conducted for candidates under final consideration, and if hired, every five years of employment where highly sensitive data is processed or maintained by the position. The result of this background screen must meet the Exchange’s eligibility standards.

OTHER INFORMATION

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

This is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We participate in E-Verify. You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster here.