Policy, Rules & Compliance Section Manager (WMS3/ERB)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Policy, Rules & Compliance Section Manager provides leadership, direction, and oversight to seven FTEs to ensure the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Programs comply with state and federal regulations governing employee benefit plans and to formulate administrative policy. The position advises the PEB and SEB Boards on eligibility and enrollment policy, oversees promulgation of program rules, and directs development of agency-request legislation and budget decision packages for the Employees and Retirees Benefits (ERB) Division, including analysis of federal and state legislation. The role oversees rulemaking and policy work supporting PEBB and SEBB benefits, including rule revisions, assessments of rule effectiveness, and alignment of school employee benefits and retiree insurance coverage. It guides legislative analysis, review of federal regulations, and review of program communications for consistency with applicable law and policy. The position also provides project management and implementation oversight for complex initiatives, such as lawsuits, legislation-driven program changes, evaluations, and system replacement efforts. This is a permanent, full-time, 40-hour-per-week hybrid position based at the HCA office in Olympia, Washington. Employees must be Washington residents on their first day of employment and must report to the Olympia office on their first and final days. In-person attendance at meetings or events, occasional business travel, and alternative work schedules may be required based on business needs. The position works in a shared, open-office environment and regularly collaborates with colleagues, agency leaders, government partners, and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of health benefits delivery systems and the technical and dynamic nature of health care and payroll/benefit functions, as well as the fiscal and political environment of publicly sponsored employee benefits in a predominantly private-sector health care market.
General knowledge of Affordable Care Act provisions.
Working knowledge of laws and regulations governing benefits plans.
Working knowledge of best practices in employee benefits administration.
Working knowledge of the full scope of health plan administration and how its elements coordinate into a comprehensive functional system.
Demonstrated ability to lead diverse work groups addressing complex employee benefit sponsorship and health plan administration issues, including groups with varied professional credentials, education, and experience.
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage large, complex projects involving special-interest stakeholders, legislators, public and private contractors, community collaboratives, and intergovernmental partnerships.
Group facilitation skills to lead productive and efficient discussions.
Communication skills to share knowledge effectively with coworkers, contractors, health care providers, public officials, enrollees, and special-interest stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in the public arena through stakeholder interactions, inter-agency teamwork, and sensitivity to public attitudes and concerns.
Ability to make thoughtful, responsive decisions, assess and manage risk, and revisit and adjust decisions as new information becomes available.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex activities concurrently in an environment involving flexible work hours, tight timelines, frequent high-stress periods, and public-sector resource limitations.
Demonstrated ability to establish an organizational vision, articulate measurable goals, define action plans, and maintain a systems view of organizational activities.
General knowledge of fiscal management and budgeting.
Demonstrated ability to form and lead cohesive, constructive teams involving health care professionals where no clear authority hierarchy exists.
Ability to guide and inform others while enabling them to complete assigned responsibilities and retain ownership.
Mentoring skills to develop institutional knowledge and opportunities for internal career advancement.
Ability to consider equity in decisions, processes, and day-to-day work.
Ability to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experience, and applying lessons to improve work and service.
Ability to listen, understand differing perspectives, and respond with care, respect, and solutions that support community needs.
Washington state residency by the first day of employment.
Submit a completed online application, cover letter, resume, and three professional references, including at least one current or recent supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a health care discipline, public health, public administration, business administration, or another health care field directly related to employee benefits administration.
Bachelor’s degree in a health care discipline, public health, public administration, business administration, or another health care field directly related to employee benefits administration.
Four or more years of experience in management positions or rule, technical, or manual writing may substitute year-for-year for the required education.
Specialized knowledge of health care systems, clinical systems, and customer service metrics.
Some knowledge of tax and legal consequences associated with ERISA, the Public Health Services Act, HIPAA, cafeteria plans, and Washington State Titles 28A, 41, and 48, as they relate to employer-based benefits and brokering benefits to other employers.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to seven FTEs.
Ensure PEBB and SEBB Program WAC is promulgated in accordance with HCA policy, state law, the Administrative Procedures Act, Code Reviser regulations, and applicable Executive Orders.
Develop, present, and recommend eligibility and enrollment policy resolutions to the PEB and SEB Boards.
Oversee development and implementation of rules and policy supporting ongoing alignment of school employee benefits and improved administration of retiree insurance coverage.
Oversee the PEBB and SEBB rule revision process and annual assessment of rule effectiveness.
Plan, organize, oversee, and control ERB Division legislative analysts’ work during legislative sessions, including receiving, disseminating, and analyzing legislative proposals and responding to legislative inquiries.
Oversee analysis of federal regulations affecting administration of PEBB and SEBB eligibility and enrollment benefits.
Review PEBB and SEBB communications to ensure guidance aligns with state and federal laws, WAC, program administrative policy, and legislative mandates or initiatives.
Provide project management and implementation oversight for complex projects, including lawsuits, legislation-driven program changes, evaluations, and system replacement efforts.
Provide strategic direction for processes, funding, risk, and communications related to eligibility and rules implementation.
Guide a team and contribute to agency policy and procedure work as a voting member of the Agency Policy and Procedure Committee.