Director of Public Policy

The Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC) is a non-profit membership association representing the state’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs are non-profit, community-based primary health care providers serving urban and rural Medically Underserved Areas/Populations throughout Minnesota. Minnesota’s FQHCs provide medical, dental, and mental health services to nearly 170,000 low-income, culturally diverse patients.

Our Values  - MNACHC continues the promise of the community health center mission that was born out of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. We strive for a health care system where power and decision-making are equitable, reflect our communities’ needs, and people’s dignity and voices are respected.

JOB SUMMARY

The Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC) has a current opening for a Director of Public Policy. The position directs and administers the Association’s public policy agenda established by the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer.

Highlights of the position responsibilities include:

- Develop the Association’s state legislative agenda

- Represent the Association before state and federal elected and non-elected officials

- Participate in health care payment and system delivery reform efforts

- Manage MNACHC’s advocacy efforts

- Monitor and analyze state and federal legislation and the impact on Association members

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Public Policy leads MNACHC’s public policy efforts. This includes federal, state, and local advocacy both in the legislative and administrative/regulatory areas. Key responsibilities include the following:

Legislative Monitoring and Analysis

- Track and monitor proposed legislation of interest to MNACHC members on the federal, state, and local levels

- Assess and communicate to MNACHC staff and members the impact of proposed legislation on Health Centers in Minnesota

Policy Agenda

- Staff the MNACHC Government Relations Committee

- Lead the development of MNACHC’s annual state legislative agenda

- Support the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) federal policy agenda

- Participate in policy coalitions supporting the mission of MNACHC

Payment Reform

- Monitor and assess state and federal health care payment reforms – both public and private

- Participate in state and federal payment reform task forces, committees, or workgroups

Advocacy

- Represent MNACHC before the Minnesota Legislature and US Congress

- Communicate the policies and positions of MNACHC as they pertain to possible or pending legislation

- Conduct in-person meetings with both elected state and federal officials

- Engage in the federal budget and appropriations processes, rulemaking, and Medicaid waiver and payment reform initiatives affecting the safety net.

- Conduct in-person meetings with administrative/regulatory state and federal officials

- Plan and execute MNACHC’s annual “Day on the Hill” activity in Minnesota and Washington, DC

- Coordinate advocacy efforts with other organizations with similar purposes and goals

- Coordinate advocacy efforts with state and federal contract lobbyists

- Participate on external committees in matters of public policy

Communications

- Update MNACHC staff and membership on state and federal legislative and administrative/regulatory developments

- Provide updates to MNACHC member Boards of Directors on state and federal legislative developments

- Collaborate with MNACHC communications staff to develop policy messaging, op-eds, fact sheets, talking points, and social media content.

- Serve as a spokesperson on policy matters, as designated by the CEO.

- Coordinate and direct health center visits, legislative briefings, testimony, regulatory comment letters, and other advocacy activities.

- Lead the mobilization of advocacy efforts on the state and federal levels

Collaboration and Relationship Building

- Develop and maintain relationships with state and federal elected officials and staff

- Develop and maintain relationships with state and federal administrative/regulatory staff

- Develop and maintain relationships with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) policy staff and committees

- Participate in the National Policy HUB policy activities, as directed by the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

- Prefer JD or Master’s degree in public health or public administration or equivalent

- At least two years of experience in legislative analysis, government affairs, advocacy, and/or direct regulatory experience

- Previous working relationship with Community Health Centers/Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Primary Care Associations (PCAs), or other safety net setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Knowledge of health care policy and finance, with an emphasis on the areas that impact health care safety-net providers

- Demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, health center funding and regulation, and the health care safety net in Minnesota and the United States.

- Knowledge of Community Health Center/FQHC regulatory environment

- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret federal and state legislative proposals and statutes

- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret federal and state regulatory proposals and rules

- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, publications, press releases, and legislative/regulatory inquiries and responses.

- Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to inquiries from Association members, elected officials, government agencies, and the media

- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a small team

- Provide expertise in support of MNACHC staff in non-public policy areas

BENEFITS INCLUDE

- Health Coverage : Medical, dental, and vision insurance options with a Health Savings Account (HSA).

- Flexibility : Hybrid work-from-home model with primary office presence in Saint Paul, MN.

- Time Off : Generous paid time off, holidays, and supported professional development opportunities.