Policy Associate – Population and Public Health Team

About us — The National Academy for State Health Policy – NASHP – is a nonpartisan, nonprofit forum of policymakers from across the spectrum of state governments, leading and implementing innovative solutions to states’ health policy challenges. At NASHP, we engage state leaders to solve problems and share solutions; conduct policy analyses and research; leverage state expertise to develop model policy solutions; disseminate information on state policies and programs; and provide technical assistance to states. We have an immediate opening for a Policy Associate to join our growing Population and Public Health team.

About you — You are a professional with at least five years of post-Bachelor’s experience, who is organized and detail-oriented, a skilled communicator with strong writing and analytic skills, and who thrives in a dynamic work environment, engaging in multiple projects at a time. You have a strong foundation and substantive experience in a state health policy and, in particular, in state policy approaches to addressing social determinants of health, with a special passion for health and housing. You know Medicaid policy and/or behavioral health policy related to housing supports and other social service needs. You are state-focused, interested in and understanding what state policymakers need to know to effectively meet their most difficult challenges.

How you will spend your time — Policy Associates are lead content experts on policy issues and topics facing state decisionmakers. As a NASHP PA, you will conduct qualitative policy research and analysis, contribute to project development and management, write policy briefs and other related resources aimed at a broad policy audience and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and directly with state health policy officials. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Tracking, researching, analyzing and summarizing state and federal legislation, rules and regulations that will impact state social determinants of health — and specifically, health and housing — policy
• Providing technical assistance to state officials in a multi-state health and housing initiative
• Facilitating state-to-state learning and exchange using multiple strategies, both virtual and in-person, when practical
• Leveraging knowledge and expertise of state social determinants of health policy to support state technical assistance, developing issue briefs and tools states can adopt to advance policies in those domains
• Working with both internal and external stakeholders at the state and national level, effectively communicating information on trends and emerging issues in health policy
• Planning, researching and writing blogs, briefs, reports, proposals and other publications
• Assisting in the development of grant proposals
• Assisting in staffing and support of NASHP’s policy committees and participating in the planning and implementation of NASHP’s annual conference
• Representing NASHP and relevant project work at meetings and conferences

As a Policy Associate, you may also be called on to mentor and manage the work of early career professionals, NASHP Research Analysts. Some travel will be required in the future, following COVID-19 safety protocols.

You will need to meet minimum qualifications, including:

• Previous employment in state government is highly valued and strongly preferred. If you do not have relevant government experience, you need to have professional health policy or qualitative analytic experience closely tied to state programs
• Excellent writing, communication and analytic skills, along with a focus on detail and organization
• Proven ability to function effectively in a dynamic work environment, managing multiple projects and simultaneous demands, achieving quality results in a timely manner
• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Bachelor’s degree in health policy, social work, public policy or administration, public health, law or related area. A Masters in a relevant field is a plus. This is not an entry level position; you must have real-world experience in policy areas relevant to the position and have at least five years of experience post-Bachelor’s.

About working at NASHP — We are currently still operating remotely but anticipate transitioning to a hybrid work arrangement in April 2022; NASHP has offices in both DC and Portland, Maine. We require all employees returning to the office to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and be boosted, as well.

NASHP offers a comprehensive package of benefits including health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD/ADD, paid time off, a transportation allowance and a generous retirement plan.

To apply — Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter describing their interest in the position and in NASHP and their salary requirements, along with a copy of their current resume to: search@oldsite.nashp.org. Please be sure to put “PA-PPH” in the subject line.

NASHP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, in accordance with all applicable laws. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment and are committed to building a diverse workforce and leadership team. All people are encouraged and welcome to apply.