Careers

Description:

Position Summary

The Federal Relations Analyst leads federal Indian health policy research and analysis on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) health issues involving the Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and other federal agencies for the NPAIHB as part of the health policymaking effort of Northwest Tribal Leaders. This position is funded through an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance (P.L. 93-638) contract with the IHS. Duties include tracking federal legislation and policies, conducting research and analysis to determine impacts on AI/AN health systems, drafting legislative and policy documents for Northwest Tribes, and collaborating with the Health Policy Specialist and AI/AN health policy consultants.

The Federal Relations Analyst position is fast-paced, and requires strong skills in managing multiple deadlines, and frequently producing extensive professional writing, with minimal edits. This individual must have the ability to be self-directed, wisely navigate competing priorities, exercise discretion and good judgment, and handle confidential and sensitive information. The Federal Relations Analyst must also possess both a functional knowledge of and keen interest in federal Indian health policy.

The Federal Relations Analyst reports to the Director of Government Affairs & Health Policy and/or the Executive Director. This scope of work is part of the Policy team and housed within the Administrative Division.

This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon. Local travel and/or overnight travel outside of the area is extensively required (approximately 50% of the time), including travel within the Northwest and to Washington, DC, and occasional travel to other locations for national meeting. NPAIHB may consider candidates residing in Idaho, Oregon, Washington state, and/or Washington D.C.

Essential Functions

Tribal Health Policy Excellence and Success

• Provides tribal health policy expertise and support in alignment with the NPAIHB Strategic Plan
• Participates in and supports all NPAIHB health policy related meetings and discussions
• Provides health policy expertise and support to Northwest Tribal delegates during Quarterly NPAIHB Board of Directors Meetings (QBMs)
• Updates health policy priorities throughout the year, as directed by Northwest Tribes, and through the NPAIHB Strategic Planning process and/or annual federal policy priorities
• Works closely with Director of Legal and Government Affairs and Executive Director to identify Northwest tribal, federal policy priorities

Tribal Health Policy Communication, Guidance, & Expertise

• Leads and advises on communication between NPAIHB, the IHS, Northwest Tribes, and other governmental agencies
• Ensures weekly legislative and policy updates are drafted, reviewed, and provided to Northwest Tribal leaders, NPAIHB policy staff, and other appropriate stakeholders
• Prepares policy and legislative alerts on pressing and emerging issues
• Writes articles for the NPAIHB Health News & Notes newsletter
• Collects timely information on federal Indian health policy issues, and provides that information to Tribes as appropriate
• Provides timely federal Indian health policy information to Northwest Tribes
• Leads the dissemination of information on federal legislation, regulations, and guidance relating to federal Indian health and Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare
• Leads the timely development and distribution of federal Indian health legislative policy documents (such as white papers, background papers, briefings, resolutions, testimony, comments, timelines, tables, charts, presentations, talking points, memoranda, and articles)
• Conducts and/or manages legal and policy research and analysis into tribal health issues, topics, needs, and related considerations
• Works closely with Northwest Tribes to request input on health policies and determining their impact on Northwest Tribes
• Actively contributes to the NPAIHB database of legislation and policy information

Tribal Health Policy Meetings & Conferences

• Leads both in-person and virtual policy meetings, conference calls, and webinars, as well as conferences with federal, and tribal representatives
• Sets up and facilitates policy meetings with federal and tribal representatives and organizations
• Tracks follow-up action items from policy meetings and conferences
• Attends all NPAIHB Quarterly Board Meetings in-person (QBMs)
• Attend other meetings and conferences related to federal Indian health concerns, as needed
• Prepares and gives presentations at national, regional, tribal, and local conferences
• Facilitates discussions at national, regional, and tribal meetings and conferences

Tribal Health Policy Technical Assistance

• Manages technical assistance to Northwest Tribes and Tribal Leaders on health policy issues at national, regional, and local conferences, as needed
• Tracks requests for information from federal, and tribal representatives
• Appropriately responds to requests for technical assistance in a supportive and timely manner
• Prepares federal Indian health legislative policy information for Northwest Tribal Leaders
• Develops legislative and policy strategies to address Northwest Tribal Leader health priorities
• Briefs Northwest Tribal Leaders on federal Indian health legislative and policy issues
• Organizational Efficiency & Effectiveness
• Manages efficient use of NPAIHB resources and organizational priorities in alignment with the NPAIHB Strategic Plan and directives from Northwest Tribal leaders
• Prepares annual reports of activities for the NPAIHB and IHS
• Collaborates with the Health Policy staff to identify policy options based on research and data as to ensure alignment with programs and services, and their potential impacts

Other Duties

• Prepares a Monthly Activity Report (MAR) at the end of each month
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Legal and Government Affairs and/or Executive Director or designee

Skills/Eligibility:

Qualifications

Education

Minimum education required:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field
• Additional education preferred:
• Juris Doctorate or Master’s of Legal Studies in Federal Indian Law and/or related field

Experience

Minimum experience required:

• At least four (4) years of demonstrated work experience which includes the preparation of written analyses of policies, legislation, regulations etc.
• At least one (1) year of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics
• Additional experience preferred:
• Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes
• Direct experience working in federal Indian Health Policy advocacy

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge, discretion, tact, judgment, and overall ability in working effectively with federal, Tribal, and other professionals, and facilitating participation and partnership in health legislation and policy activities
• Demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid/CHIP, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and other relevant federal Indian health policy and legislation
• In-depth knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes
• Intermediate skill proficiency (expert preferred) with computer applications (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office Suite programs)
• Advanced project management skills with experience in managing and coordinating projects, policy analysis, and advocacy
• 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, including consistently communicating in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context 
• Demonstrated ability to reliably uphold scheduling commitments, including a good attendance record
• Demonstrated ability to engage in community mobilization and education around public health issues
• Ability to navigate challenges with creativity, flexibility, and resiliency
• 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 very frequently (approximately 50% of the time)

Additional knowledge preferred:

• Knowledge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and Veterans Affairs (VA).