Overview
Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor
Reports to: Director of Government Affairs & Health Policy / Executive Director
Initial Salary Range: $106,000 – $123,500 annually
Benefits: Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance, Retirement Contributions, PTO, and Paid Holidays
Classification: Salaried, Exempt
Status: Full-Time (1.00 FTE), Regular w/ Benefits
Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid or remote upon approval)
JOB SUMMARY
About the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
The Northwest Tribes have long recognized the need to exercise control over the design and development of health care delivery systems in their local communities. To this end, they formed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (also referred to as NPAIHB or “the Board”) in 1972.
Guided by a vision of “Health and Wellness for the Seventh Generation,” NPAIHB is a 501(c)3 designated (non-profit) organization and Tribal organization, P.L. 93-638, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) serving the 43 federally recognized Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Northwest Tribes). Tribes become voting members of the Board through resolutions passed by their governing body. Each member Tribe designates a delegate to serve on the NPAIHB Board of Directors.
Led by our Board of Directors, NPAIHB’s mission is to “eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services.” We have a staff of over 120 professionals dedicated to advancing Tribal health for the 7th generation in the Pacific Northwest.
The NPAIHB’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025 can be found here.
Position Summary
The Senior Policy Advisor leads 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 and state (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) 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 Senior Policy Advisor position is fast-paced, and requires strong skills in managing multiple deadlines, and frequently producing extensive professional writing. 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 Senior Policy Advisor must also possess both a functional knowledge of and keen interest in Indian health policy.
The Senior Policy Advisor 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 meetings.
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 and state policy priorities
Works closely with Director of Government Affairs and/or Executive Director to identify Northwest tribal, federal, and state policy priorities
Tribal Health Policy Communication, Guidance, & Expertise
Leads and advises on communication between NPAIHB, the IHS, Northwest Tribes, and other governmental agencies
Ensures bi-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
Scans internet news sites and the media to collect information on Indian health policy issues, and provide that information to tribes as appropriate
Provides timely Indian health policy information to Northwest Tribes
Leads the dissemination of information on federal and state legislation, regulations, and guidance relating to Indian health and Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare
Leads the timely development and distribution of 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 to 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, state, and tribal representatives
Sets up and facilitates policy meetings with federal, state, and tribal representatives and organizations
Tracks follow-up action items from policy meetings and conferences
Attends all NPAIHB Quarterly Board Meetings (QBMs)
Attend other meetings and conferences related to 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 and as needed
Tracks requests for information from federal, state, and tribal representatives
Appropriately responds to requests for technical assistance in a supportive and timely manner
Prepares 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 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 NW 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
Works cooperatively with other NPAIHB staff in a team atmosphere that promotes the mission, vision, and goals of the organization
Management of Policy Contractors & Interns
Prepares required documentation and/or prepares contracts for policy work
Manages work assigned to policy contractors and interns
Other Duties
Prepares a Monthly Activity Report (MAR) at the end of each month
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Government Affairs & Health Policy and/or Executive Director or designee
Standards of Conduct
Act in service to the Tribes and Tribal communities we serve
Uphold the Mission, Values, and Vision of the NPAIHB
Maintain the highest level of confidentiality with all NPAIHB information and documentation
Consistently exhibit professional behavior and a high degree of personal and professional integrity and impartiality appropriate to the responsible and confidential nature of the position
Exercise good judgment and initiative in performance of duties and responsibilities
Demonstrate high emotional intelligence in the performance of all duties and responsibilities
Orientation toward learning, innovation, service, and the building of second-line leadership
Commitment to building an organizational culture which centers NPAIHB’s service to Tribes, promotes professional excellence, and builds an environment where employees grow and thrive
Commitment to build an inclusive workplace across a range of identities and experiences, including (but not limited to) geography, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, language, disability, religion, spiritual practices, and immigration status
Sees diversity as a strength, and equity as a baseline
Work in a cooperative manner with all levels of management and with all NPAIHB staff
Effectively plan, organize workload, and schedule time to meet workload demands
Use reasonable judgment to consistently display professional work attire during normal business hours, and/or dress appropriately for the workday, space, or event in lieu of a formal dress code
Be present, available, and responsive for meetings and calls during regular working hours
Commit to sharing knowledge and building expertise by participating in all virtual spaces in our workplace with cameras on
Show consideration by communicating effectively and building collective understanding
Recognize that relationships are the cornerstone of NPAIHB’s work by treating all NPAIHB delegates/alternates, partners, staff, and American Indian/Alaska Native people with dignity and respect
Participate willingly in NPAIHB activities
Qualifications
Education
Minimum education required:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Management, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field
Additional education preferred:
Juris Doctorate and/or Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Management, Public Policy, Public Administration, 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 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 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)
Probationary Period
External applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period during which time their employment can be terminated at will. For the purpose of evaluating job performance, internal applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period when job duties change significantly.
Worksite Location
NPAIHB generally requires employees to work in its main office, located in Portland, OR. Under certain circumstances, however, the NPAIHB may allow employees to work from home, on a case-by-case basis. The Executive Director, the employee’s direct supervisor, or the employee may suggest teleworking as a possible work arrangement. NPAIHB considers circumstances such as, but not limited to, whether the employee is organized, has proven their ability to work independently, has completed their probationary period, has a good work record, has no record of abuse of leave, the duties and responsibilities of their position, travel requirements, funding source stipulations, and other considerations.
Telework is not an entitlement, nor a Board-wide benefit. NPAIHB retains discretion to withdraw, alter, modify, cancel, or otherwise terminate an employee’s eligibility for telework on a case-by-case basis, in its sole discretion.
Work Conditions
Physical Demands
This position:
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)
Occasionally involves light work (exerting up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force and/or a negligible amount of force to move objects)
Physical Requirements
This position:
Consistently requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and 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 hands and arms
Occasionally requires raising objects from a lower to a higher position, or moving objects horizontally
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 and overnight travel outside of the area is very frequently required. Attendance at quarterly NPAIHB Board Meetings is required. These meetings are held both locally and hosted by our member tribes on a rotating basis, and take place during the third or fourth weeks of January, April, July, and October, and typically require a minimum stay of two overnights per meeting.
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 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, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, 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.
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.