Health Equity Director (EMS3/ODD)
Description
Health Equity Director
This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid executive leadership position based in Olympia, WA. Employees may frequently be asked to travel for meetings or events based on business needs.
All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.
The Opportunity
Lead HCA's work to eliminate health inequities across Washington. The Health Equity Director (EMS3/ODD) is a member of HCA's Executive Leadership Team, reports to the Deputy Director, and serves as a strategic advisor to the HCA Director. In this role, you will set the vision and direction for health equity across Apple Health (Medicaid), behavioral health, and the PEBB and SEBB programs, using strategic purchasing, policy, and authentic partnerships with communities, Tribes, and other agencies to advance equitable access to quality, whole-person care for millions of Washington residents.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of agency health equity policy and request legislation affecting all Apple Health (Medicaid), behavioral health, and PEBB and SEBB programs.
- Partner with program leaders to build health equity and community engagement strategies into purchasing policy, value-based purchasing initiatives, and health plan contracts.
- Oversee the development, coordination, and execution of agency-wide equity plans aligned with HCA's purchasing strategy.
- Develop and implement internal and external health equity accountability metrics, and report to leadership on the data and analytic capacity needed to identify and reduce inequities.
- Review agency policies through an equity lens and work with policy owners to ensure health equity impacts are evaluated and addressed.
- Co-lead the Governor's IMPACT Executive Order work with Human Resources and the agency's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Manager, providing strategic direction across workstreams.
- Serve as the Director's representative on the Health Disparities Council, and represent HCA with the Governor's Health Policy Office, the Office of Equity, Washington's Tribes, and national health policy organizations.
- Represent HCA in collaborations across other public and private health purchasing programs to incorporate health equity policies and principles, streamline coverage policies, and support delivery system reforms that reduce variability and promote equity in service delivery.
- Build and sustain strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, managed care organizations, health plans, and Accountable Communities of Health to address equity regionally.
- Lead the Health Equity team and provide expert consultation to the HCA Director and Executive Leadership Team on strategic priorities and external relationships.
Why You’ll Love This Role
- You'll shape the direction of health equity for the state's largest health care purchaser.
- As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you'll have a direct voice in agency strategy and decisions.
- You'll represent Washington on national health equity initiatives and build lasting partnerships with communities and Tribes across the state.
- You'll have telework flexibility, with the ability to collaborate in-person across teams in Olympia.
What You Bring
You are a visionary, collaborative leader with deep expertise in health equity and a genuine commitment to communities experiencing health inequities. You build trust with partners across government, communities, and Tribes, listen actively, and communicate complex ideas clearly and with cultural competency. You navigate the political environment with confidence, bring diverse perspectives together, and motivate people and resources to resolve critical policy issues quickly. You lead with integrity, set clear expectations, and invest in the growth of the people around you. You live the HCA values of:
- People first. We put the best interest of the people we serve and our employees first.
- Diversity and inclusion. We value work and life experiences while practicing cultural humility with the people we serve and each other.
- Health equity. We help ensure everyone has the opportunity to obtain whole-person health.
- Innovation. We develop creative solutions and put them into action to improve our processes, systems, and services.
- Stewardship. We are accountable for the use of resources entrusted to us as public servants.
Required Qualifications
Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.- Broad knowledge of the local health care industry, public assistance programs, Medicaid, and other federal law affecting low-income and historically marginalized populations.
- Expertise designing health care policy and benefits coverage from an equity lens to minimize or eliminate disparate impacts on low-income and historically marginalized populations.
- Expertise in effectively and accurately identifying disparities in program requirements, payment methodologies, and health care coverage that disproportionately impact marginalized and low-income populations and making informed health coverage policy and program development recommendations to mitigate those disparities and improve health equity.
- Experience effectively managing contractors, staff, and partner relationships, and negotiating and building consensus.
- Experience successfully managing complex health care related projects involving multi-agency groups and partners.
- Proficiency using research, data, limited resources, and analysis to formulate and advise decision-making, issue resolution, and policy development.
- Proficiency using Microsoft systems and tools, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and data analytic tools.
- Proficiency developing presentations and materials and effectively presenting clear information to diverse external audiences on challenging policy concepts.
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Work effectively with one or more populations experiencing health inequities.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of internal and external partners, facilitate cooperative working relations, and work collaboratively with diverse groups.
- Coordinate and motivate diverse resources to quickly resolve critical health policy issues.
- Clearly and effectively communicate complex information or ideas verbally and in writing, using active listening, proper grammar and punctuation, and cultural competency in a manner that fosters open dialogue.
Required Competencies
- Equity lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.
Preferred Qualifications
While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.- A master's degree in health policy, public health, health care administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
- Knowledge of the historical context of Washington State health policymaking and the evolution of federal law impacting low-income and historically marginalized populations, including Title XIX (Medicaid), national health reform, and Washington's Tribes.
- Working knowledge of HCA programs (Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB), other state Medicaid programs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and employee and public assistance benefit programs focused on health equity, and the state and federal authorizing environment.
- Demonstrated progressively responsible experience in health coverage policy and/or program development.
- Project management, process improvement, and/or change management certification.
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Understand the complex relationships among policy, operations, technology, and customer experience, and make decisions that strengthen the overall system.
- Conduct research projects requiring the use of data and statistics.
- Write and develop successful grant and other funding applications to meet Washington State's needs.
About the Health Equity Team
The Health Equity team sits within HCA's Office of the Deputy Director and provides executive leadership and direction for cross-agency efforts in centering equity, antiracism, and community voices in policies, practices, communication, and outcomes. With a focus on community partnerships and health equity strategies, the team supports the agency mission of being powered by the people we serve to improve health across Washington by advancing equitable access to quality, whole-person care.Supplemental Information
About the Washington State Health Care Authority
Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.
At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State’s largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinates care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high-quality care across Washington.More than a benefits package: We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about why HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.
Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:
- Remote work and flexible schedules
- Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
- Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
- Retirement options to plan for the future
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Employee wellness programs
- Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits
Work location and schedule: This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week hybrid position. This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report onsite to the HCA office located in Olympia, WA to meet business needs. When working in-person, you will work in a shared space, open office environment. In this role you’ll regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Frequent travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.
Our commitment to an inclusive workplace: The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.
Application Directions
To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:
- Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
- Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
- Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application. We require 3 professional references including at least one current or recent supervisor.
We encourage you to apply! If you meet the required qualifications for this position, we want to hear from you. Desired qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.
Veterans: We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.
Need accommodations or have questions? If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Lisa Fleming, Human Resource Consultant (Recruiter) at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.
Technical support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Subscribe to HCA Job Alerts