Director of Government Affairs/Health Policy

Job Title : Director of Government Affairs / Health Policy

Reports To : Executive Director

Department : Policy

Salary : 125-140K DOE

Status : Salary, Exempt

Classification : Full-Time, Regular w / benefits

Location : Portland, Oregon; Telework will be considered from OR, ID and WA

Job Summary :

• The Director of Government Affairs / Health Policy (Director) provides support to the Executive Director and 43 Tribes of Idaho, Oregon and Washington (Northwest Tribes) by serving as the primary resource for federal and state policy information;
• ensures that Northwest Tribes have the information and resources to advocate on health policy issues affecting their tribes and citizens;
• ensures that federal and state government representatives are informed about Northwest Tribes health policy priorities and programs;

and oversees projects to increase the number of American Indians / Alaska Natives in healthcare and health policy.

The Director must have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to take complex health policy information (legislation, regulations and other policy) and summarize the information into clear and concise policy documents for Northwest Tribes.

The Director must also be an exceptional leader who can strategize on policy and program matters with staff to accomplish priorities.

This job requires extensive travel within the Northwest and to Washington, DC, occasional travel to other locations for national meetings.

Discretion, good judgment and ability to handle confidential information are required since this position is part of the health policymaking effort of Northwest Tribal Leaders.

This is one of the permanent positions of the Health Board and it is not funded by project grants. It is not dependent on the receipts of grants or contracts.

Essential Functions :

1. Works with Northwest Tribes (tribal leaders, delegates and tribal health directors) and Executive Director to set and implement annual legislative and policy priorities

• Updates priorities throughout the year as directed by Northwest Tribes
• Coordinates meetings with staff serving as Technical Advisors to Northwest Tribal leaders to track and discuss policy priorities and leads the preparation of Technical Advisory Committee updates at Quarterly Board Meetings
• Provides guidance and support to the Executive Director and staff on changing developments in health programs, policies, regulations and legislation (including HHS and IHS appropriations) that may require NPAIHB attention and action
• Coordinates tribal consultations, meetings and conference calls for Northwest Tribes and Executive Director to further priorities or address emerging issues
• Coordinates with Executive Director on legislative strategy and meetings
• Prepares annual report of activities for the Board and IHS

2. Serves as a clearinghouse for information on state and federal health programs, policies, regulations, legislation (including HHS and IHS appropriations) and other policies impacting the Indian health system.

• Develops and maintains on-going communication between NPAIHB, Northwest Tribes, the Indian Health Service, and other federal and state governmental agencies
• Researches and reviews state and federal legislation (including HHS and IHS appropriations), regulations, other policies, and news sources pertaining to health care that impacts the Indian health system
• Organizes Northwest tribal caucuses to discuss policies and obtain input from Tribal leaders, delegates, and other Tribal representatives.
• Prepares timely written analyses of Indian health-related policies- legislation, regulations, etc., for distribution to Northwest Tribes
• Provides technical assistance and / or training on health policy as requested
• Disseminates timely legislative alerts and legislative and policy updates
• Contributes articles to Health and News and Notes quarterly, and coordinates content for policy issue
• Works closely with the Communications Director / Staff as to policy-related social media
• Maintains a database of legislative and policy information
• Manages Board's web page and ensures timely policy information is posted

3. Represents NPAIHB at national, state, regional / area and tribal level

• Attends meetings and conferences, and serves on committees and workgroups to further NPAIHB legislative and policy agenda and to support special programs
• Attends meetings of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National Congress of American Indians and presents legislative and policy updates and / or resolutions;

and attends meetings of the Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium (SGCETC) and National Indian Health Board (NIHB)

• Attends HHS Region 10 Tribal Consultation and HHS Annual Tribal Budget Consultation
• Participates in state-specific tribal meetings
• Prepares well written materials for meetings including position papers, talking points, one-pagers or other documents
• Prepares effective and well written presentations that requires public speaking skills

4. Serves as a member of the Management Team (upon completion of probation).

• Participates in Board short-term, long-term, and strategic planning.
• Works to make efficient use of all human and financial resources, integrate programs and services, and have effective coordination of organizational priorities.
• Works collaboratively to create an organization that is proactive, and able to process decisions, authorizations, transactions and services effectively, efficiently and consistently.
• Assists with special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.
• Monitors and reports on budget, program accomplishments, workload trends and needs, and unmet needs.

5. Provides supervision of assigned staff.

• Supervises the Policy Staff.
• Prepares and manages contracts and workload without outside consultant
• Evaluate the performance and expectations of all assigned personnel.
• Ensure program personnel comply with organizational policies, procedures and directives.
• Coach employees and identify and coordinate their training and development needs.

Additional Functions :

• Performs other duties and assignments as directed by the Executive Director.
• Prepares a Monthly Activity Report (MAR) and provides to the Executive Director at the end of each month.

Standards of Conduct :

• Consistently exhibits professional behavior and a high degree of integrity and impartiality appropriate to the responsible and confidential nature of the position.
• Consistently displays professional work attire during normal business hours.
• Effectively plans, organizes workload, and schedules time to meet workload demands.
• Maintains a clean and well-organized office environment.
• Expected to exercise judgment and initiative in performance of duties and responsibilities.
• Works in a cooperative manner with all levels of management and with all NPAIHB staff.
• Treats NPAIHB delegates / alternates and Tribal people with dignity and respect and shows consideration by communicating effectively.
• Participates willingly in NPAIHB activities.
• Abides by NPAIHB policies, procedures, and structure.
• Researches and with the approval of supervisor, attends trainings as needed to improve skills that enhance overall capabilities related to job performance.

Required Qualifications :

• Applicant is required to have a graduate degree in policy, public administration, public health, law or related field
• Five years of specific work experience which includes the preparation of written analyses of policies, legislation, regulations etc.

Interview will require on-site writing exercise)

• Knowledge of Indian health legislation, and the Medicaid and Medicare programs
• In-depth understanding of state and federal budget and appropriations process.
• Strong, proactive project management skills with solid experience in managing and coordinating projects, policy analysis and advocacy.
• Experience successfully creating new projects.
• Experience in grant writing and grants management.
• Must have excellent writing and speaking skills.
• Experience working for a tribe or tribal organization.
• Create, flexible, creative, energetic, hard-working and unafraid of challenges.
• Must have the ability to utilize Microsoft Office software and the Internet.

Typical Physical Activity :

Physical Demands : Frequently involves sedentary work : exerting up to 10 pounds of force and / or a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including

the human body.

Physical Requirements : Constantly requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discrimination in sound.

Constantly requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately,

loudly, or quickly. Constantly requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and / or fingers.

Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks. Occasionally requires standing and / or sitting for sustained periods of time.

Occasionally requires ascending or descending stairs or ramps using feet and legs and / or hand and arms. Occasionally requires stooping which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Infrequently requires crouching.

Typical Environmental Conditions : The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.

Travel Requirements : Local travel is regularly required. Overnight travel outside of the area is frequently required.

Disclaimer : The individual must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification.

They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Except as provided by Title 25, U.S.C. 450e(b), which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the NPAIHB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, genetic information, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law.

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