Data Specialist III - Updated

Data Specialist III Job Description The Happier Life Project (THLP) Position: Data Specialist III Department: Program Data & Systems Management Reports To: Executive Director Compensation: $38 - $43 (Hourly) Status: Limited Duration through 8/31/2026 (with possible transition to permanent position), Full Time, Hourly Employee, 40-hours/week Location: Hybrid virtual and in-office at Lake Elsinore, CA (twice weekly in-office) About The Happier Life Project (THLP) The Happier Life Project (THLP) is a peer-led, community-based nonprofit dedicated to providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed behavioral health services to underserved populations. We focus on supporting Latino, Native American, and BIPOC individuals impacted by substance use disorders (SUD), justice involvement (JI), and related social determinants of health. Our mission is to reduce health disparities, promote recovery and wellness, and empower individuals to achieve lasting change through compassion, connection, and community. Position Summary The Data Specialist III serves as the organizational backbone for data integrity, care coordination systems, and evidence-informed decision-making across all THLP programs, including Enhanced Care Management (ECM), Community Supports (CS), Community Health Worker (CHW) services, Peer Respite, Housing, Reentry, and Youth & Family programs. This position leads THLP’s electronic health record (EHR) build-out, manages inter-program data integration, ensures Medi-Cal and County contract compliance and builds THLP’s ability to evaluate outcomes in real time. Also supports billing readiness by ensuring documentation, data fields, and workflows align with Medi-Cal and Managed Care Plan billing requirements. This role does not submit claims but ensures data integrity for billing teams. The Data Specialist III is the primary architect of THLP’s digital ecosystem—ensuring that all programs, staff, and departments operate from accurate, accessible, and unified information systems. Key Responsibilities 1. EHR Administration & System Build-Out (Primary Function) Serve as the EHR systems administrator across all THLP programs, with experience supporting integrations between EHR platforms and analytics tools, billing systems, grant reporting systems, or care coordination platforms. Design and build forms, workflows, templates, program modules, and user roles for ECM, CHW, Peer Respite, Housing, Reentry, and Youth programs. Oversee EHR onboarding and training for all staff. Maintain permissions, troubleshoot user issues, and ensure smooth integration with billing and reporting tools. Collaborate with IT and vendors to manage system upgrades, workflow enhancements, and interoperability. 2. Enhanced Care Management (ECM) & Community Supports (CS) Compliance Serve as THLP’s internal expert on CalAIM, ECM, and Community Supports documentation and data requirements. Manage data related to care plans, encounters, authorizations, consent, risk stratification, and service utilization. Ensure ECM/CS documentation supports Medi-Cal billing and Managed Care Plan (MCP) audit standards. Maintain accurate records for IEHP reporting, authorizations, and reconciliation. Support care teams with data-informed decision-making and performance tracking. Deep understanding of trauma-informed data collection and minimizing documentation burden on frontline teams. 3. Reentry & Adult Reentry Grant (ARG) Data Management Build and maintain systems to track: Participant enrollment and demographics Housing stability metrics Workforce development milestones Navigation and case management services Recidivism outcomes Quarterly deliverables and reimbursement documentation Ensure a full crosswalk between ARG requirements, internal tools, and EHR workflows. 4. Peer Respite Data Systems & Reporting Create reporting fields and dashboards for guest admissions, length of stay, presenting needs, safety metrics, and crisis diversion outcomes. Understands and applies peer-run respite confidentiality and privacy best practices, including non-clinical, person-directed, low-barrier documentation standards that differ from traditional clinical systems. Ensure all respite data aligns with BHCIP and County partner requirements. 5. Community Health Worker (CHW) & SDOH Tracking Build and manage systems for THLP’s CHW workforce to track: Outreach encounters SDOH domains Navigation activities Referrals and warm handoffs Time-based services linked to Medi-Cal claims Support program fidelity to the CHW model and County/Plan frameworks. 6. Data Governance, Reporting & Compliance Lead THLP’s organization-wide data integrity framework to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability across programs. Manage recurring reports, agency dashboards, outcomes summaries, funder-required metrics, and serves as the lead technical advisor to directors, supervisors, and program teams on all data-related matters. Develop automated systems to streamline data collection, reduce staff burden, and increase accuracy. Conduct routine data quality assurance audits, with experience preparing systems for County, State, CMS, or MCP audits, including documentation reviews and data quality assurance. Oversee PATH CITED TA metrics, digital readiness assessments, reporting alignment, and program documentation as required by DHCS. 7. Automation, Integration & Digital Systems Optimization Partner with Finance, HR, Reentry, and Clinical teams to streamline workflows through integrated data systems. Assist with linking EHR data to grant management, billing, or analytics tools. Implement workflow innovations that reduce manual entry and improve efficiency. 8. Training & Staff Support Provide ongoing staff training on documentation standards, EHR updates, CalAIM requirements, and data integrity. Develop user guides, SOPs, and quick reference materials. Support supervisors with interpreting dashboards and using data for performance improvement. Qualifications Required 3–5 years of experience in data management, EHR administration, healthcare informatics, or multi-program nonprofit data systems. Experience in at least two of the following program areas: Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Community Supports (CS) Community Health Worker (CHW) programs Peer support or peer-run programs Reentry or housing services for justice-involved populations Strong understanding of Medi-Cal, CalAIM documentation standards, SDOH frameworks, and care coordination systems. Experience with CYBHIS (California Youth Behavioral Health Information System) reporting, youth BH documentation, or school-based behavioral health data workflows. Hands-on experience with EHR platforms such as Axiom, CareLogic, SmartCare, Welligent, or comparable systems. Strong project management and workflow development skills, including multi-program integration. Experience preparing organizations for audits, including MCP, DHCS, BSCC, or County Behavioral Health reviews. Experience with data governance, including data dictionaries, naming conventions, and quality assurance processes. Experience integrating EHR systems with billing platforms, analytics tools, or funder reporting dashboards. Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar analysis/reporting platforms. Experience training and supporting staff across varied technical skill levels, including CHWs, peers, youth staff, and supervisors. Knowledge of peer respite documentation, trauma-informed data practices, and low-barrier, non-clinical workflows. Commitment to cultural humility, and demonstrated experience working with Latino, Indigenous, Native American, BIPOC, LGBTQ , and justice-involved communities. Ability to translate complex data into user-friendly insights for staff, leadership, and external partners.  Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Data Science, Social Work, Health Information Management, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Experience in nonprofit behavioral health, recovery organizations, or culturally rooted community-based programs. Experience with PATH CITED, BHCIP, BSCC, or DHCS-funded reporting systems and readiness tools. Experience managing data integrations, APIs, or reporting warehouses. Certifications in project management, analytics, or health information (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Data Analytics). Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to support culturally aligned documentation needs. Core Competencies Systems thinking Detail-oriented and accurate Strong written and verbal communication Ability to train others Collaborative and cross-departmental mindset Cultural humility Adaptability and innovation Cultural Competency Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency and sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations. Experience working alongside Latino, Indigenous, Native American, BIPOC, LGBTQ , justice-involved, and low-income communities from a trauma- and healing-informed lens. Benefits The Happier Life Project is a healing-centered, peer-led organization committed to staff wellness, growth opportunities, and culturally grounded leadership development. Vacation, Sick Leave & 13 Paid Holidays Health, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance Retirement & FSA Equal Opportunity & Accessibility The Happier Life Project is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a drug-free workplace and ADA compliance. Accommodations will be provided upon request. Powered by JazzHRiAni5p1aWi

Salary : $38 - $43