Senior Policy Manager

State of Maine • Augusta, ME

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Policy Manager oversees the policy team in providing clear and well-informed interpretation and articulation of current MaineCare regulations and obtaining state and federal authorities necessary for changes in coverage and reimbursement of MaineCare services. Key priorities for this position include ensuring that OMS policies are grounded in evidence, congruent with provider and state operations, adherent to federal and state requirements, reflective of DHHS priorities, and well-positioned to serve the MaineCare population. This position will lead a team of approximately eleven staff members, with direct supervisory duties of three individuals.

Requirements

• An 8-year combination of education and experience in human services, law, health care, or public policy/administration.
• Prior experience in the analysis, interpretation, development, and implementation of health care and or social service-related policies at the state or federal level.
• Ability to effectively and concisely communicate complex and technical information for a variety of audiences and in a variety of formats, including excellent writing and editing skills.
• Experience managing and/or coordinating teams and building out tools and processes (e.g. guidelines, templates, checklists, accountability structures) to support team success, with a focus on writing and editing competencies.
• Experience in making decisions and offering policy recommendations of broad scope and complexity in a clear, concise, and timely manner.
• Experience facilitating and/or coordinating across diverse teams to understand and/or develop recommendations related to complex subject matter.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to ensure self- and team- accountability in meeting critical state and federal milestones, providing and maintain accurate and transparent timelines, and prioritizing work appropriately.

Nice To Haves

• Professional degree in public policy or administration, healthcare administration, law or other comparable field with a focus on health or social policy and demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid policies.
• Managerial/supervisory experience.
• Experience with and knowledge of the Medicaid program and/or other health and human services programs serving low-income populations.
• Lived experience with Medicaid and/or other health-related social needs common to individuals and families receiving Medicaid coverage.

Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day leadership and management for the above areas of responsibility and working with OMS staff to ensure that work is appropriately prioritized, scheduled, and executed according to established workplans, deadlines, and best practices.
• Assisting staff to make routine and complex policy-related decisions and to provide accurate and clear interpretation and articulation of policies and rules.
• Working with partners, including providers, advocates, MaineCare members, other DHHS Offices, and other State of Maine Departments to interpret current and/or inform changes to MaineCare policies, as applicable.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the Office of Attorney General to review and adopt rules in accordance with Maine’s Administrative Procedures Act.
• Liaising with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and assisting MaineCare staff in maintaining a consistent and effective process for working with CMS to submit required State Plan Amendment and waiver (e.g. Home and Community Based Waiver, 1115 Demonstration Waivers) applications and respond to federal mandates that impact MaineCare services.
• Analyzing, coordinating, and communicating the impact of new state and federal laws on MaineCare’s policies, processes, services, and members, and on OMS’s interaction with other DHHS Offices and State of Maine Departments.
• Following and refining protocols to ensure policy recommendations are comprehensively constructed, evaluated and informed by data and interested party input.
• Advising the Policy team managers on hiring and staffing issues and supporting Policy staff with professional development resources and tools.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.91% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
• Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager