Waiver and State Plan Option Analyst

Do you want to be part of a great team making a difference in the quality of life for Oregonians? Do you have experience working with federal regulations as they relate to Oregon’s Medicaid funding and home and community-based services? Has your background provided you with time management, organization, and prioritization skills? Do you communicate clearly and cross culturally in writing, directly, or virtually? Can you work within established guidelines? Have you worked collaboratively as a member of a team and independently with minimal supervision? Do you have experience championing inclusivity and service equity? Then, we want to hear from you

We are seeking a Waiver and State Plan Option Analyst (Operations and Policy Analyst 3) to join our Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), Policy Unit team.

• When you join the , you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.

• Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS’ overall mission and vision. 

• We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency, and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The has four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice.

• We know that life is unpredictable and ODHS cares about keeping you well. Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, and including health, dental, vision and much more

• Studies have shown that women, people of color, and people with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't feel you meet every one of our qualifications listed.

Seven years of professional-level evaluative, analytical, and planning work experience.

Education will substitute for experience based on the following:

• An associate degree substitutes for 18 months of experience.

• A bachelor's degree substitutes for three (3) years of experience.

• A master's degree substitutes for four (4) years of experience.

• A doctorate degree for five (5) years of experience.

We are looking for candidates with:

• Attention to detail.

• Experience working with federal regulations as they relate to Oregon’s Medicaid funding and home and community-based services including the Code of Federal Regulations.

• Experience working within established guidelines.

• Experience communicating clearly and cross culturally in writing, directly, or virtually.

• Experience using time management, organization, and prioritization skills to organize work, meet competing deadlines, and manage multiple projects.

• Experience working collaboratively as a member of a team and independently with minimal supervision.

• Experience championing inclusivity and service equity.

Please be sure to clearly describe how you meet these attributes within your application materials. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process.

Please note that a cover letter describing how your background meets the qualifications and each of these attributes is required. Please see the application instructions and requirements section for more information.

The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) provides new opportunities to link services for the growing number of Oregonians who have intellectual or other development disabilities. ODDS strives to support the choices of individuals with disabilities and their families within communities by promoting and providing services that are person-centered and directed, flexible, community inclusive, and supportive of the discovery and development of each individual's unique gifts, talents,​ and abilities. We are committed to working toward service options to assure that people with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to have lives that are fulfilling and meaningful.

The Policy Unit is responsible for policy development, maintenance and administrative oversight of Medicaid, State general funds and grant funded programs designed to provide continuous services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services and supports are instrumental in individuals remaining in their own homes or within a licensed or certified setting within the community. These programs include in-home services provided by both personal support workers and provider agencies, foster care, residential group homes, behavior consultation independent providers, direct care nursing, ancillary services, case management and supported living for children and adults from birth to death. This unit also is charged with ensuring rules and policy embody all aspects of Service Equity.

As the Waiver and State Plan Option Analyst, you will support the Waiver and State Plan Option Specialist and you will act as a policy advisor to senior management of ODDS and ODHS. The scope of work is intra-departmental, inter-departmental, and inter-governmental. You will regularly interact with other ODHS programs, state and Federal government jurisdictions, legislative staff, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) case management entities, service providers, and the public.

This includes:

• Evaluating Federal laws, rules, and policies for statewide impact regarding Title XIX Home and Community Based Waiver and Community First Choice Option (K-Plan).

• Ensuring that federal policies and systems are integrated with state and local service delivery systems and that Medicaid compliance and reporting activities are accomplished. 

• Collaborating within ODDS units as well as across ODHS and OHA and with partners at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

• Providing expertise, analysis, and coordination in development, implementation, and monitoring of multi-disciplinary services and supports for Oregonians experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the majority of whom are on the Oregon Health Plan and other Title XIX Medicaid waiver and state plan option authorities.

• Supporting and engaging in frequent, specific cross-agency coordination with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), community developmental disabilities programs, the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and with Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon.

• Representing ODHS on various state committees and workgroups to provide expertise on Medicaid home and community-based services programs serving individuals experiencing I/DD.

• Making recommendations on and supporting development of administrative rules and program policies, implementation of state and federal legislation, and monitoring, managing, and coordinating activities for federal approvals of the Title XIX State Plan Option programs.

• Coordinating and leading projects that are complex, sensitive in nature or have a high fiscal impact to the agency and significant service impacts to individuals with I/DD.

• Helping develop regulatory policy, standards, and procedures that deal with complex regulatory situations in which policy is not clearly defined.

• Providing oversight of and technical assistance with operational implementation.

• Drafting legislative proposals.

• Analyzing and reviewing federal legislation.

• Analyzing legislative bills.

• Proposing amendments to pending legislative bills.

• Recommending and formulating changes to policy direction based upon research and analysis.

• Developing and reviewing regulatory policy, standards, and procedures to operationalize complex components of I/DD programs considering quality of service, access to services, program effectiveness, and cost.

• Working closely with the Waiver and State Plan Option Specialist, community partners, legislative coordinators, business systems, financial and budget units, and policy staff in other agencies, is accountable for program performance monitoring and oversight of federal and state regulatory compliance (including access to services and tracking of expenditures), proposed legislation, and implementation and operationalization of passed legislation.

• You will work remotely, and you will travel as needed to attend meetings and workgroups in our office in Salem.

• You will work in a high-volume work setting, with frequently changing priorities.

• You must be able to work on multiple projects simultaneously, each having changing timelines and requirements.

• You must be able to respond effectively to verbal instructions, cope with frequent interruptions, and moderate noise levels.

• You must be able to gather information required to complete assigned projects.

• You may be asked to work extended or nonstandard work schedules.