State Affairs Specialist

APLA Health’s mission is to achieve health care equity and promote well-being for the LGBT and other underserved communities and people living with and affected by HIV. We are a nonprofit, federally qualified health center serving more than 14,000 people annually. We provide 20 different services from 15 locations throughout Los Angeles County, including: medical, dental, and behavioral health care; PrEP counseling and management; health education and HIV prevention; and STD screening and treatment. For people living with HIV, we offer housing support; benefits counseling; home health care; and the Vance North Necessities of Life Program food pantries; among several other critically needed services. Additionally, we are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation that positively impacts the LGBT and HIV communities, provide capacity-building assistance to health departments across the country, and conduct community-based research on issues affecting the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us at aplahealth.org .

We offer great benefits, competitive pay, and great working environment! 

We offer:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance (no cost for employee)
• Vision Insurance (no cost for employee)
• Long Term Disability
• Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 3 Personal Days
• 10 Vacation Days
• 12 Sick Days
• Metro reimbursement or free parking
• Employer Matched 403b Retirement Plan

This is a great opportunity to make a difference!

This position will pay $68,598.40 - $86,834.68. Salary is commensurate with experience.

POSITION SUMMARY: In consultation with APLA Health leadership, the State Affairs Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing agency and division goals, strategies and activities at the state level, including advancing sound HIV, LGBT and healthcare policy, legislation and funding; directing and leading multiple advocacy coalitions; and advancing APLA Health’s interests and initiatives as the state reconfigures healthcare coverage, delivery, payment and services in California. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: In partnership with the Director of Government Affairs, the State Affairs Specialist will assume responsibility for a broad range of policy and advocacy initiatives at the state level, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of policy, advocacy, and strategy; community engagement, community mobilization; and communication strategies and activities to advance sound HIV, LGBT and healthcare policy, legislation and funding.

The  State Affairs Specialist will also:

• Oversee APLA Health’s relationship-building activities with the Governor’s office, elected officials and their staff, lobbyists, national, state, county, and local agency leaders, and other government officials to advance sound HIV, LGBT and healthcare policy, legislation and funding. 
• Oversee APLA Health’s efforts to engage service providers, people living with and vulnerable to HIV, LGBT individuals, and other community members in the organization’s policy and advocacy activities
• Conduct and coordinate ongoing environmental scanning to ensure that APLA Health is proactively addressing current and emerging public policy issues impacting people living with and vulnerable to HIV, LGBT individuals, and health systems.
• Advocate on behalf of APLA Health in the state legislature and with the administration, for and against relevant legislation, budget, and policy proposals. This includes drafting letters, testimony and supporting materials as well as crafting legislation and amendments to advance sound HIV, LGBT, and healthcare policy.
• Establish a lead role in the health care financing and reimbursement arena, including but not limited to the 340B program, PPS and Alternative Payment Models, Value Based Initiatives, and drug pricing initiatives now taking place in the Capitol.  
• Represent APLA Health and advance agency goals and initiatives at a broad range of ongoing state-sponsored stakeholders meetings intended to reconfigure healthcare service delivery and reimbursement in California, including the DHCS Stakeholder Advisory Committee, DHCS Managed Care Advisory Group, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) and Medi-Cal Rx.
• Maintain APLA Health’s lead role in the statewide Coalition to End the Epidemics (ETE) to secure new resources for HIV and LGBT health initiatives that align with the organization’s goals and operations and further efforts to end the HIV, HCV, and STD epidemics in California.
• Advance APLA Health’s expansion into express sexual health centers through advocacy for increased funding for STD screening, testing, treatment and policy and legislation to support innovative STD service delivery models
• Maintain strong relationships with key state legislative and administrative officials overseeing HIV, LGBT, and healthcare policy including the California Office of AIDS, Department of Public Health, Department of Healthcare Services, Departments of Insurance and Managed Care, Office of Health Equity, Covered California, budget and committee staff, etc.
• Analyze, advocate and advance policy, legislation, regulation, and funding to support the maintenance of federally qualified health centers through partnership with the California Primary Care Association, Health Access, California Pharmacy Association, California Medical Association and other related coalitions and collaborations in Sacramento.
• Lead on policy research, analysis, and development to expand access to high-quality, coordinated HIV prevention and care services and LGBT healthcare services in Ryan White, Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, managed care settings, and other delivery systems.
• Lead and coordinate ETE legislative hearings and advocacy days and represent APLA Health in FQHC-related advocacy activities in Sacramento.
• Represent APLA Health, people living with and vulnerable to HIV, LGBT individuals and other underserved populations at various civic, community, media, and political functions.
• Develop and write reports, articles, news releases, etc. on LGBT health, HIV public policy, and broader healthcare issues for the general public, elected officials, other community organizations, and APLA Health staff and board members
• Lead participation in the California HIV/AIDS Research Program Policy Research Grant, including overseeing ETE related community meetings and activities, and working with university partners on rapid response research programs mandated by the grant.
• Work with the Communications Director to ensure that the agency’s website/social media offer the most current information on public policy positions, legislation, funding and other policy related APLA Health activities.
• Meet regularly with APLA Health and Division leadership to guide policy and advocacy initiatives and course correct where necessary, and engage in both local and federal policy and advocacy initiatives where specific expertise is required.
• Supervise public policy interns and volunteers.

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED TO MEET BUSINESS NEEDS.

REQUIREMENTS:

Training and Experience:

Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Administration, Communications, Business or other related field and a minimum of 5 years experience working in government or government affairs, in community based public health advocacy or community organizing; and/or experience with public or healthcare policy, regulation, legislation, budgets, and systems.  Master’s degree and three years preferred.

Knowledge of:

The legislative and political process; FQHCs and the community health centers; HIV/AIDS program administration, especially health, housing, prevention or advocacy programs; LGBT health programs particularly those supporting low income individuals; constituency building; government relations; health systems; HIV/AIDS-related issues; and HIV/AIDS and LGBT community-based organizations in California.

Ability to:

Communicate effectively, with well-developed writing skills; navigate on-line communications; analyze and digest legislation, regulations, program language; understand allocations and appropriations processes and other legislative initiatives to determine their impact on APLA and its clients; conceptualize, develop, and implement strategies to further the goals of APLA with state government; manage complex public policy issues and conversations involving a broad range of organizations and interests; identify sources of government funding; build and participate in coalitions; work effectively with diverse communities; train and supervise volunteers.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is primarily a sedentary office position, which requires only occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting and moving of office materials weighing 25 pounds or less.  The position requires daily use of a personal computer and requires entering, viewing, and revising text and graphics on the computer terminal and on paper.  Some travel required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; proof of auto liability insurance; and have the use of a personal vehicle for work related purposes.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster or Medical/ Religious Exemption required.

Equal Opportunity Employer: minority/female/disability/transgender/veteran.

To Apply:

Visit our website at www.aplahealth.org  to apply or click the link below:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=81002&clientkey=A5559163F67395E0A2585D2135F98806