Public Policy Specialist

Apply on line at http://www.alohacare.org/Careers/Default.aspx

The Company:

AlohaCare is a local, non-profit health plan serving the Medicaid and Medicare dual eligible population. We provide comprehensive managed care to qualifying health plan members through well-established partnerships with quality health care providers and community-governed health centers. Our mission is to serve individuals and communities in the true spirit of aloha by ensuring and advocating access to quality health care for all. This is accomplished with emphasis on prevention and primary care through community health centers that founded us and continue to guide us as well as with others that share our commitment. As Hawai`i’s third largest health plan, AlohaCare offers comprehensive prevention, primary and specialty care coverage in order to successfully build a healthy Hawai`i.

The Culture:

AlohaCare employees share a passion for helping Hawai`i’s most underserved communities. This passion for helping and caring for others is internalized and applied to our employees through a supportive and positive work environment, healthy work/life balance, continuous communication and a generous benefits package.

AlohaCare’s leadership empowers and engages its employees through frequent diversity, recognition, community, and educational events and programs. AlohaCare has a strong commitment to support Hawai`i’s families and reinforces a healthy work/home balance for its employees. Because AlohaCare values honesty, respect and trust with both our internal and external customers, we encourage open-door, two-way communication through daily interactions, employee events and quarterly all-staff meetings. AlohaCare’s comprehensive benefits package includes low cost medical, dental, drug and vision insurance, PTO program, 401k employer contribution, referral bonus and pretax transportation and parking program.

These employee-focused efforts contribute to a friendly, team-oriented culture which is positively reflected into the communities we serve.

The Opportunity:

AlohaCare believes that public policy advocacy in collaboration and partnership with community and government partners is important for advancing the health and well-being of our members and low-income communities across Hawai`i. The Public Policy Specialist will significantly support the development, management, and implementation of public policy advocacy strategies that advance the health and well-being of our target service populations. In addition to alignment with AlohaCare’s mission, vision and values, we are seeking candidates that have a track record of being a positive and constructive team player; a solutions-oriented, continuous improvement mindset; and tenacious critical thinking and nimble execution skills.

Primary Duties, Responsibilities and Competencies:

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with external and internal partners to meet organizational goals
• Contribute to continuous improvement of deliverables and processes
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills ensuring internal and external relations are conducted with a pleasant and friendly attitude and responds in a timely manner
• Assist with strategy implementation, coordination, and planning for all External Affairs functions

Public Policy & Government Relations

• Broadly support the public policy program, including via monitoring relevant state and federal policymaking, state and federal trade association work, scheduling of meetings, drafting policy updates, supporting the internal advocacy committee, and staffing AlohaCare’s external coalition work.
• Produce timely, high-quality public policy advocacy work product (e.g., policy briefs, fact sheets, presentations, testimony, comment letters, talking points, etc.) for a variety of formal and informal forums including public hearings, digital/video/print media, small and large group presentations, and correspondence.
• Conduct research and analysis, including review of legislation, regulation and private or community initiatives and trends, toward the development of public policy recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences including, government agencies, legislators, community leaders and advocates, members, providers, employees and media.
• Represent AlohaCare in a variety of public and private forums, including legislative hearings, conferences, advocacy coalitions, committees, task forces, work groups and collaborative projects.
• Facilitate collaboration, relationship-building, and partnerships among internal and external partners toward the development of community and government relations strategies and assist with their implementation to achieve outcomes and goals.
• Build and maintain long-term, productive organizational relationships through collaboration and partnership that support strategic objectives.
• Support media projects and stakeholder inquiries and response, as assigned.
• Responsible for meeting deadlines, timelines, and commitments to ensure completion of multiple projects involving internal and external partners.
• Collaborate with vendors to ensure the timely delivery of quality goods and services within budget targets, including the negotiation of contractual terms.
• Comply with department budgetary and financial processes in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Responsible to comply with all applicable State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to lobbying, marketing, communication and advertising materials and activities.
• Responsible to maintain AlohaCare’s confidential information in accordance with AlohaCare policies, and state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding confidentiality. Candidates may have access to AlohaCare data based on the data classification assigned to this position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 2 years of public policy and/or government relations experience with a strong preference for Medicaid and/or Medicare experience
• At least 1 year health industry or health policy experience with a strong preference for exposure to the Medicaid and/or Medicare programs
• Collaborative, positive, energetic and self-motivated team player
• Willingness to embrace AlohaCare’s unique mission, corporate culture and overall goals
• Ability to play an effective role on a team with members of various skill and expertise
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal communication adaptable for a wide range of audiences
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Ability to work in a variety of cultural and business environments
• Ability to adapt to new directions and information
• Ability to train and develop staff
• Detail-oriented and able to work independently
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle or other transportation for off-site activities

Preferred Requirements:

• Health care experience, preferably in a managed care organization
• Knowledge of Medicaid and/or Medicare programs
• Relationship building experience, preferably in government relations
• Experience representing individuals or organizations in a variety of public settings
• Experience working with community-based organizations and/or community-based coalitions

Mental, Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
• Requires prolonged operation of a computer workstation, including the ability to type for extended periods of time on a keyboard during the scheduled workday.
• Inside working conditions.
• Requires operation of general office equipment to include PC.
• Ability to communicate via telephone, and to communicate verbally and in writing using English.
• Ability to travel.

Salary range: $61,000 - $83,000 annually

AlohaCare is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants in accordance with sound practices and federal and state laws. Our policy prohibits discrimination and harassment because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, arrest and court record, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, citizenship status, military/veterans status, or other characteristics protected under applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and/or executive orders.

Salary : $61,000 - $83,000