Government Affairs and Communications Specialist

The expected pay range is based on many factors such as geography, experience, education, and the market.  The range is subject to change. 

We are hiring a Government Affairs and Communications Specialist to join our team!

Must reside in California - remote position. 

Summary

Under general supervision, the Government Affairs and Communications Specialist will assist in identifying, researching, and evaluating public policy proposals, developing and implementing government relations and legislative advocacy strategies, drafting communications to internal and external stakeholders, while representing Health Plan’s interests before various industry associations and public forums. This work is diverse and ranges from moderately to highly complex, necessitating a considerable level of independent judgment and discretion.

Supervises

None

Essential Functions

• Public Policy Monitoring and Analysis: Remains informed about public policy and budget proposals at local, state, and federal levels. Analyzes key proposals to assess their potential impact on Health Plan’s mission, members, operations, financial sustainability, business development, and competitiveness. Supports targeted communication strategies to ensure effective dissemination of public policy information across all organizational levels, including executive leadership, governing commissioners, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Executive Communications: Partners to develop high-quality communications on behalf of executive leadership and key personnel, including talking points, presentation materials, and position letters. Helps ensure communications align with public policy interests affecting critical partners, such as hospitals, health care providers, community clinics, and county health services.
• Public Policy Updates and Resource Development: Provides timely updates and analyses of legislation, regulations, and policies to internal and external stakeholders. Creates talking points, fact sheets, and other resources to support Health Plan’s public policy initiatives.
• Strategic Development and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborates to implement effective strategies in response to public policy changes. Partners to monitor and align public policy strategies with key industry associations and external stakeholders. Engages with elected officials, regulatory staff, lobbying groups, health care providers, and other stakeholders to articulate Health Plan’s policy positions and foster collaborations that advance shared priorities.
• Public Affairs: Assists in facilitating opportunities for executive leadership to enhance Health Plan’s visibility and build relationships with policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders. Partners to ensure in-person representation at public meetings, forums, and community events across the service area of Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties, as well as at occasional meetings throughout California and Washington, D.C.

• Event Planning: Helps plan and attend special events related to public policy, communications, and community engagement.

Non Essential Functions

• Other duties as required

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, economics, health care administration, political science, public health, public policy, or equivalent work experience; with
• At least four years of experience in direct lobbying, health care advocacy, government affairs, public affairs, compliance, communications, media relations, or working for elected officials or regulatory agencies.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.        

Preferred

• Experience in managed health care, Medi-Cal, Medicare, or other components of the health care safety-net.
• Experience in project management.   
• Regional experience in Health Plan’s service area counties of Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, or Stanislaus. 

Licenses, Certifications

Required

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation, or the ability to arrange on-demand transportation in the counties served by Health Plan if unable to obtain a driver’s license due to a medically documented disability.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Comprehensive understanding of state and federal political and public policy issues impacting the local health care landscape, particularly for safety-net populations.
• Familiarity with Medi-Cal, Medicare, and commercial health insurance programs.
• Knowledge of health plan operations and complexities.
• Familiarity with state and federal legislative processes, including budget formulation and bill development.
• Exceptional interpersonal and public relations skills, with demonstrated ability to establish effective relationships with elected officials and diverse professionals across the political, business, education, non-profit, and health care sectors.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Effective facilitation and presentation skills, capable of guiding discussions among diverse participants to achieve successful outcomes.
• Advanced analytical skills, including proficiency in data analysis and interpretation of complex legislative and regulatory proposals. 
• Robust problem-solving abilities, with a track record of analyzing and resolving challenges, developing actionable plans, and executing them successfully.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the economic, legislative, regulatory, and other health care issues impacting underserved populations.
• Organizational skills, adept at prioritizing multiple tasks and partnering effectively.
• Proficient in planning and organizing workflows to enhance productivity.
• Dedication to fostering collaboration and teamwork within the organization.
• Proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Demands

Frequent sitting, standing and walking, constant repetitive motion, frequent talking and listening, occasional handling of materials up to 10 lbs., closeup and distance vision requirements, occasional travel.

Emotional/Psychological Demands

Ability to cope with a fast-paced work environment, working under pressure, dynamic priorities and deadlines, constant decision making, working irregular hours, emotional and sensitive situations, and frequent public contact.

Work Environment

Open office environment; moderate temperatures; moderate noise levels.

Eligible for remote work.

We are an equal opportunity employer and diversity is one of our core values. We believe that differences including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other characteristics, will help us create a strong organization that is sensitive to the needs of those we serve. Employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and merit.

 HPSJ provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination based on color, race, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin (including language use) or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition), genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, political affiliation or any other characteristic made unlawful by applicable Federal, State or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has these characteristics, or is associated with anyone who has or is perceived to have these characteristics. 

 Important Notice: This job description is not a contract between HPSJ and the employee performing the job. The duties listed in the job description may be changed at the discretion of HPSJ, and HPSJ may request the employee to perform duties that are not listed on the job description.