State Legislative Affairs Specialist

Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is the leading voice of Colorado’s hospital and health system community. Representing more than 100 hospitals and health systems throughout the state, CHA serves as a trusted, credible and reliable resource on health issues, hospital data and trends for its members, media, policymakers and the general public. Through CHA, Colorado’s hospitals and health systems work together in their shared commitment to improve health and health care in Colorado. For more information on CHA, visit www.cha.com.

Position Summary: Support the Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations in developing and managing the Association’s advocacy work in the State Legislature.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

General:

•      Stay well-informed of current market trends, policy issues, and other developments affecting hospitals, health systems and health care and proactively identify recommendations based on opportunities and threats

•      Deepen expertise in assigned focus areas, including working with members, other Colorado and national stakeholders, policymakers, and additional outside resources to create an informed perspective

•      Ensure effective project management of a large number of state legislative topics, including

issue tracking, risk management, communication management, and evaluation

Policy Development & Advocacy:

·       Draft briefing memoranda, discussion guides, talking points, fact sheets, testimony, progress reports, white papers, crosswalks, and other strategic communications consistent with the Association’s policy positions

•      Support the Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations in facilitating member input and participation in state legislative issues, and represent members’ views in public forums

·       Track bills and amendments as they are introduced throughout the legislative session, analyze their potential impact on member hospitals

·       Represent hospitals’ views through testimony—both written and verbal.

·       Assist the Senior Director including but not limited to managing legislative initiatives and defensive advocacy, coordinating member visits, and collaborating with other health care, academic and business organizations

·       Coordinate special projects and work with internal and external teams to develop action plans for emerging policy issues at the state level and in the legislative arena

·       Represent CHA and our membership at legislative hearings, public meetings, in non-CHA membership associations, and other community forums

·       Conduct in-depth policy analysis and research and assist in the development of internal and external communications regarding policy developments and CHA positions

·       Provide administrative support, including scheduling, meeting preparation, note-taking, and coordinating logistics for events, member meetings, and other Association activities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required (unless otherwise noted):

·       Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, economics, public policy or political science, health care, business

·       administration or related field

·       Minimum of three to five experience in policy research, program implementation, and stakeholder engagement with three years’ regulatory experience in health care or related areas of public policy (preferably in Colorado or with Colorado stakeholders)

·       Experience with public policy research, data analysis and interpretation, and both objective and persuasive communications

·       Successful management of projects or programs with fixed deliverables

·       Demonstrated creativity and out-of-the-box thinking on policy issues

·       Knowledge of the unique issues facing hospitals and the broader spectrum of health care delivery and payment systems (preferred)

·       Knowledge of various health care payment systems and health care financing (preferred)

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work in collaboration with other teams
• Demonstrated service orientation
• Demonstrated organizational skills and personable positive attitude
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and within short deadlines
• Analytical problem-solving ability
• Ability to handle confidential or proprietary information and situations discreetly and professionally
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and direction and to complete tasks on time
• Professional telephone and email etiquette, professional appearance and demeanor, able to interact with all levels within the organization
• Self-starter with a strong desire to learn
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Working conditions are normal for a fast-paced office work environment
• Presentation of technical material in group settings required occasionally
• Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed
• Weekend or evening work may be needed
• May include lifting up to 25 pounds for files on a regular basis. Proper lifting techniques required

Material and Equipment Directly Used:

• Personal computer with Microsoft Office 365 software applications
• Multi-line telephone with voice mail
• Copy machine
• Printer
• AV platforms such as Zoom/Webex/Teams

Hiring salary range: $60,000 - $75,000 annually, benefits eligible

The hiring salary range represents a targeted hiring range based on the candidate’s experience, education, and/or skill level. The actual starting salary may be more or less depending on individual qualifications and does not represent the position’s full salary range.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor. Nothing in this job description shall create or is intended to create, or shall be construed to constitute a contract of employment, express or implied. Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job.