Policy & Government Affairs Analyst in Santa Ana, California at Serve the People

The Policy & Government Affairs Analyst serves as a key member of the Community Relations & Outreach team, advancing the organization's mission through policy analysis, legislative monitoring, government relations, and advocacy initiatives. This position supports efforts to strengthen relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community stakeholders, and healthcare advocacy organizations to promote policies that improve access to quality healthcare for underserved populations.

The Analyst will monitor federal, state, and local policy developments impacting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community health, public health programs, healthcare workforce development, reimbursement, and social determinants of health. The position will provide strategic analysis, prepare policy briefings, coordinate advocacy activities, and support organizational engagement with policymakers and community partners.

• Monitor federal, state, county, and local legislation, regulations, and policy developments affecting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Medicare, healthcare access, behavioral health, workforce development, housing, public health programs, reimbursement, and social determinants of health.
• Analyze the operational, financial, regulatory, and community impact of proposed legislation, regulations, and policy changes.
• Research emerging healthcare trends, public health priorities, and legislative initiatives affecting community health centers and underserved populations.
• Track budget proposals, grant opportunities, and funding initiatives impacting healthcare access and community services.
• Prepare weekly and monthly legislative updates, policy summaries, issue briefs, executive briefings, talking points, fact sheets, reports, presentations, correspondence, comment letters, testimony, and position statements.
• Develop policy recommendations and strategic responses in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Support development and implementation of the organization's government affairs and advocacy strategy.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, county departments, healthcare associations, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and advocacy organizations.
• Coordinate meetings, meet-and-greet sessions, site visits, community forums, stakeholder engagement opportunities, and legislative visits to Serve the People clinics and program sites.
• Prepare leadership and subject matter experts for meetings, hearings, presentations, advocacy events, and legislative visits.
• Represent the organization at public meetings, coalition meetings, advocacy conferences, policy workgroups, and healthcare forums as assigned.
• Coordinate participation in State and Federal Capitol Days and assist with planning and execution of Serve the People's annual Day at the Capitol.
• Track advocacy activities and legislative priorities and ensure timely follow-up.
• Develop advocacy materials and messaging communicating organizational priorities and community health needs.
• Assist with media and public affairs initiatives related to healthcare policy and legislative developments.
• Develop and support implementation of nonpartisan voter registration and civic engagement initiatives in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Assist with voter registration outreach plans, civic education efforts, and community outreach promoting civic participation.
• Collaborate with Community Relations and Outreach staff to align advocacy efforts with organizational priorities.
• Gather stakeholder feedback to inform policy recommendations.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize policy, legislative, population health, and community needs data.
• Develop reports and dashboards supporting policy decisions.
• Maintain accurate records of government relations activities, stakeholder engagement, advocacy efforts, elected officials, and government contacts.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports summarizing policy updates, advocacy activities, and stakeholder engagement outcomes.
• Track legislative activity, engagement metrics, advocacy outcomes, and external partnerships.
• Adhere to HIPAA regulations and other relevant laws to protect patient privacy and confidentiality in all communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the executive leadership and administration.

Education, Certification, and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Government Affairs, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, advocacy, public health, healthcare administration, or community relations.
• Experience working with healthcare organizations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or advocacy groups preferred.
• Knowledge of healthcare policy, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Medicare, public health programs, and healthcare access issues strongly preferred.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse audiences, including community leaders, elected officials, and healthcare stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and policy research tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting legislative advocacy, coalition building, or stakeholder engagement initiatives preferred.
• Experience working with Federally Qualified Health Centers, community clinics, healthcare associations, or public health organizations.
• Familiarity with California healthcare policy and Medi-Cal programs.
• Experience engaging with local government agencies, county health departments, and state legislative processes.

Language Requirements

• Spanish speaking required.