Description

This position performs operational functions between HCA and vendors providing benefits through Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB) programs being utilized by 700,000 Washingtonians. This position coordinates collaboration between the agency and vendors, ensuring proper and timely completion of tasks and documentation. The ideal candidate will be highly organized and detail-oriented in prioritizing deadlines and maintain open communication with all parties involved in their processes.

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 state employees must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified upon acceptance of a contingent job offer. Please note, medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

About the division:
The Health Care Authority (HCA) administers programs that provide health care insurance coverage to over 2.2 million Washington residents and 700,000 public and school employees, retirees, and their dependents in the Employees and Retirees Benefits (ERB) Division with an annual spend of $5 Billion. ERB administers the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program and Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program eligible public and school employees, retirees, and their dependents. HCA promotes health care access to the uninsured, underinsured, and Tribes; it ensures that health technology and prescription drugs are safe, used effectively, and improve health and productivity of state employees, retirees, and their dependents.

About the position:
This position performs direct oversight of contracted vendors and is responsible for ensuring vendors meet all contractual obligations, maintains high performance levels, and executes detailed performance improvement measures when appropriate. This position is responsible for drafting and reviewing requests for proposals, contracts and amendments, and vendor selection. The position analyzes vendor performance, as well as local and national approaches to health care purchasing and utilization management, in an effort to identify innovative performance-based contracting options. The position will implement corrective action plans as needed and will enforce performance penalties as necessary. The incumbent will work in partnership with executive leadership and our actuarial support to develop reporting metrics and auditing parameters that meet the needs of the highest levels of management, boards, commissions, elected officials, and/or other governmental entities

Duties

Some of what you will do:
Contract and vendor management for the Employees and Retirees Benefits (ERB) Division including senior level account management for multiple contracts.

• 
  Collaborates with executive leadership and contracted actuaries to draft high-quality requests for proposals, contracts, contract amendments, and work orders.
• Works in collaboration with contracts staff to meet all legal requirements related to state contracting.
• Negotiates agreements for high cost goods and services.
• Represents HCA on litigation involving the applicable contracts.
• Participates in bidder selection and negotiation of new contract terms.
• Manages vendor performance and handles discrepancies with contract expectations, which may involve resolving a variety of complex and unique issues.
• Facilitates regular vendor oversight meetings.
• Troubleshoots all issues related to the applicable contracts,
• Collaborates with vendors on highly publicized subjects.
• Approves invoices and work orders. Oversees all operational aspects of the applicable contracts.

Project work

• Provides senior level leadership broad expert knowledge in managing or supporting a variety of complex “pioneer” projects that frequently have a high dollar impact on the ERB Division budget.
• Completes legislative bill analysis.

Multipart collaboration

• Works in partnership with vendors to leverage joint buying power, which may involve contract negotiations and strategic initiatives.
• Facilitates all necessary cross-vendor work groups, such as the HCA Clinical Committee and joint vendor presentations. Manages and supports the sharing and use of protected data.
• Identifies and engages technical experts when needed to resolve coordination issues. Reviews and approves data mapping negotiations and implementations.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Candidates will meet minimum qualifications by satisfying ONE of the following options:

• Option A:
  • Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health, or a related field AND
  • Two years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
• Option B:
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health, or a related field AND
  • Four years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
• Option C:
  • Eight years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in health education, health promotion, healthcare administration, public administration, business administration, or closely allied field and three years of management or consultative experience in a health services program.
• Clinical experience, education, or training and/or experience with evidence-based medical management concepts and application.
• Experience in the state procurement process.
• Project management skills, ability to develop and implement population-based intervention plans across multiple audiences and using all forms of media.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly: verbally, in print, and on the web.
• Skilled in the planning and execution of strategies for purchasing and administering employer sponsored health care.
• Strong ability to work within a team.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume
• Three professional references

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Supplemental Information

About HCA:
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, and the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

What we have to offer:

• 
  Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking!

Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at 360.725.0945 or jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov.