Policy Analyst in at Community Catalyst Inc

Policy Advisor

Department: Policy & Strategy
Reports To: Director of Policy
FLSA Status: Exempt

Union Status: Non-Union
Employment Type: Full time
Location: Remote, travel up to 20%

Why We’re Here
“No one working full time in the richest country on Earth should have to choose between a doctor’s visit and dinner on the table. But that’s exactly what happens when we treat health care like a luxury instead of a right.” Community Catalyst is seeking Policy Advisor to help shape the national conversation on health justice and elevate the organization’s role as a leading authority on equitable health systems in the United States.

About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is the national health justice organization working to ensure care is accessible, affordable, and accountable to the people it serves—and that racial bias does not determine who receives care. For more than two decades, Community Catalyst has partnered with state and community advocates to change systems before harm occurs. The organization integrates policy reform, community organizing, data science, narrative strategy, and thought leadership to advance structural change in health care.

The Opportunity

The Policy Advisor is responsible for assisting Community Catalyst’s Policy Team as well as relevant project and program teams in advancing Community Catalyst’s federal and state policy priorities, particularly as they relate to health insurance reforms, medical debt and health system accountability, older adults, and Medicare and Medicaid integration. The individual in this position will need to work with colleagues across the organization, identify points of connection between various initiatives, develop strategic frameworks for technical assistance to external partners, and coordinate research and policy analysis within the organization and among contracted consultants.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Policy Team leadership in development of Community Catalyst’s state and federal policy agenda, ensuring that efforts that are centered in community experience and leadership and applying an anti-racist lens to all policy work.
• Prepare and lead execution of relevant research, policy analysis, and development of policy products and communications to support cross-organizational initiatives.
• Develop and maintain expertise in key health policy areas, including medical debt, health systems accountability, payment reform, individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, home and community-based services and serve as an advisor and thought partner as needed on key policy issues at the state and federal level.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships and represent the organization with policymakers, funders and state, national and community-based organizations as needed.

• Work with program directors and staff to support and learn from partner organizations and identify and address policy-related technical assistance needs.
• Manage policy associates and seasonal interns, including their professional development, and contribute to cultivation of team culture.
• Perform other duties as necessary to achieve the goals of the policy team and the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 10 years relevant work experience in health policy or a combination of relevant higher education and years of legal and/or health policy work experience.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of health policy issues, ability to analyze complex and intersecting health legislation, regulations and policies, and understanding the connections between state political environments and effects on advocacy and policy campaigns.
• Understanding of the federal policy landscape and trends and the federal policymaking process.
• Ability to travel on average 3-5 times a year.

Preferred Qualifications

• JD or law degree
• Demonstrated professional or lived experience and expertise related to:
• Health system innovation – for example, an understanding and interest in how to improve enrollment and patient experience in Marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare and DSNIP plans, andoptions to improve health care coordination for people with complex health conditions through innovative payment and care delivery models
• Health care system financing – for example, the impact of ownership models and consolidation on health care quality, access, and affordability
• Hospital and health system financial assistance policies, community benefits standards, and related tax policies
• Demonstrated experience conducting legal and policy research using databases such as LexisNexis or WestLaw.
• Demonstrated experience drafting grant reports and other deliverables.
• Supervision experience.

Core Competencies

• Ability to oversee multiple tasks with high attention to detail.
  
• Commitment to health equity, racial justice and experience in social change activism.
• Exceptional organization, policy analysis, written and oral communication skills.
• Proven skills in relationship development.
• Versatile team player with strong collaboration, conflict management and management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage one’s own time

Measures of Success

Within the first six months, this incumbent will:

• Have demonstrated a strong understanding of the federal and state policy landscape as it relates to Community Catalyst’s priorities and programmatic areas
• Identified at least 3 opportunities for Community Catalyst to provide expert-level analysis or research to policymakers at the state or federal level
• Improved the ability of Community Catalyst’s technical assistance staff to provide policy support to state and community partners

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Policy Advisor may supervise junior policy staff such as Policy Associates or seasonal interns, reports to the Director of Government Affairs, and serves as a member of the Policy & Strategy leadership team.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is a remote, office-based position performed from a home or remote workspace using standard office equipment and technology. Occasional travel may be required based on organizational needs. The role involves extended periods of sitting, regular computer use, and virtual communication. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $120,000 based on a full-time schedule. Placement within the range is determined by role scope, relevant experience, skills, geographic considerations, and internal equity. Compensation is reviewed and approved in accordance with Community Catalyst’s compensation framework and organizational policies.