The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a policy design and implementation partner devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. We connect people and ideas to spark insights, build expertise, strengthen leadership, and spread innovations to provide more effective, efficient, and equitable care for millions of people across the nation. The passion, expertise, and creativity of CHCS’ staff make our work possible.

We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that values the perspectives of all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disabilities.

Position Overview

CHCS seeks an experienced policy professional to serve as a Senior Program Officer to support its initiatives to improve programs for older adults and people with disabilities who need long-term services and supports (LTSS), particularly Medicaid-funded home- and community-based services (HCBS) or institutional care. This position will work within a team-based structure and will be responsible for: (1) leading work supporting state development of multisector plans for aging, including providing technical assistance (TA) to those states; (2) supporting state stakeholder engagement efforts around improving HCBS access; and (3) providing subject matter expertise to states seeking to improve access to and quality of LTSS across various initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of LTSS policies within Medicaid, Medicare and Administration on Community Living programs, as well as other, broader aging and disability policy issues and experience working in these areas. CHCS is particularly interested in candidates with a demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and/or addressing social determinants of health, especially pertaining to older adults, people with disabilities, and people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Experience working with state agencies, providers, or payers that manage, pay for, and/or deliver LTSS (within a fee-for-service or managed context) is a plus.

This full-time, senior-level position will report to the Associate Director of LTSS and Disability Policy and will be based in the CHCS office, near Princeton, NJ. Local candidates are desired; remote candidates located outside of NJ/NY/PA will be considered but will be required to travel to the home office from time to time, in addition to the position’s regular travel responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Provide day-to-day management for projects that support: (1) state development of multisector plans for aging, including providing direct technical assistance (TA) to state policymakers, and (2) leading stakeholder engagement to inform state improvements in both Medicaid and non-Medicaid HCBS;
  • Develop content for, facilitate and present at large and small-scale meetings, conference calls, and webinars through the development of agendas, meeting planning, participant outreach, etc;
  • Lead policy research and analysis for states, plans, providers, and other stakeholders to support knowledge development and policy innovation;
  • Conceptualize and lead development of written products, including issue briefs, toolkits, fact sheets and reports, for external audiences to disseminate project findings;
  • Lead development and submission of grant proposals, including budget development;
  • Oversee and monitor project budgets, including budget revisions and progress reports to funders;
  • Identity opportunities for new projects and potential funders to build a portfolio of ongoing work;
  • Travel to meetings and conferences to present project work;
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies/Requirements

  • Strong knowledge of long-term services and supports (LTSS), including those provided through home-and community-based services (HCBS) and/or institutional settings;
  • Knowledge of one or more LTSS payment and delivery systems including: Medicaid, Managed LTSS, Older American’s Act services, Medicare, Administration for Community Living programs, etc;
  • Understanding of the health-related social needs and existing disparities in the delivery of health care, behavioral health, and LTSS for older adults and people with disabilities; and/or those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid;
  • Project management expertise, including the ability to oversee complex projects with several staff members, manage multiple assignments efficiently, and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
  • Ability to analyze, problem-solve and synthesize health policy research for various audiences (consumers, health plans, policymakers.);
  • Demonstrated strong technical writing skills;
  • Strong verbal presentation skills;
  • Highly organized;
  • Collaborative team member who communicates well with both junior and senior level colleagues;
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with CHCS stakeholders such as funders, federal and state policymakers, people with lived experience, and other external partners;
  • A desire to work in an environment where diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are central to our mission;
  • Experience working with LTSS stakeholders (providers, advocates and individuals with disabilities) a plus;
  • Personal, lived experience with aging, disability and/or caregiving a plus;
  • Master’s degree in related field (public health, public policy, health management, gerontology, social work, disability studies, etc.) preferred or equivalent work experience;
  • 7-10 years of related work experience in a state/federal government agency, health plan, policy organization, provider organization, consulting firm, or other LTSS-related entity;
  • Demonstrated subject matter expertise in one or more areas of health and/or social policy for older adults, people with disabilities, and/or low-income populations.

Salary and Compensation

The salary range for this position is $87,843 – $136,156. The exact salary for this position within this range will depend on the candidate’s years of relevant experience and responsibilities. CHCS’ benefit package is comprehensive and highly competitive.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample (2-3 pages) via CHCS’ Career Center. The cover letter should include the following elements:

  • Why you are interested in the Senior Program Officer.
  • Any additional professional and/or personal experience that informs your qualifications for the position that otherwise is not obvious from your resume.
  • Your salary requirements for the position.