Director of Policy & Legal/ Healthcare Accountability, Bureau of Equitable Health Systems

New York City Fire Department; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Policy & Legal for its Bureau of Equitable Health Systems. This pivotal role involves leading innovative policy strategies aimed at improving healthcare delivery and equity in New York City. The ideal candidate will possess extensive public health expertise and a strong legal background, driving initiatives that address systemic health inequities. Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a significant impact on the health outcomes of diverse communities. If you are passionate about social justice and have the skills to lead transformative change, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Premium-free health insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Work From Home Policy

Job Security

Worksite Wellness Program

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of relevant legal experience, including supervision.
• Expertise in public health and healthcare policy required.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of policy strategies for healthcare accountability.
• Oversee drafting of the agency's Health Accountability Annual Report.
• Provide legal advice and ensure compliance across healthcare systems.

Skills

U.S. public health experience

Legislative and regulatory policy analysis

Healthcare financing regulation

Value-based care knowledge

Research and analytical skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Project management

Creativity and resourcefulness

Education

Admission to New York State Bar

Job description

Director of Policy & Legal/ Healthcare Accountability, Bureau of Equitable Health Systems

The Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness (CHECW) seeks to eliminate racial and other inequities resulting in premature mortality. With an unwavering grounding in history and structural analysis, CHECW works to increase visibility of the harm perpetuated by centuries of racist, socially unjust policy while pushing towards redress for the most impacted NYC communities. CHECW addresses inequity across community and health care systems in partnership with community, faith-based, and health care organizations. CHECW's work focuses on social determinants of health, including environmental and commercial determinants, and addresses both upstream and downstream factors to improve health and well-being of New Yorkers.

The division's Deputy Commissioner also serves as the Agency's Equity Officer and oversees Race to Justice, the Agency's internal reform effort to help our staff learn what they can do to better address racial health gaps and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers. CHECW sits under the Agency's Chief Medical Officer. The BEHS is the healthcare systems bureau of DOHMH. Our mission is to apply policy, evidence, and practical expertise to improve equity in health care delivery at the individual, organizational, and systems levels. We do this by engaging primary care providers and other healthcare organizations to implement evidence-based strategies, leveraging information to support planning and technical assistance for providers and payers; advancing policy to close the racial equity gap for priority health outcomes, and surfacing opportunities where health care can influence and connect consumers to social support and addressing the whole person, beyond physical ailments. Located within the BEHS, the Office of Health Care Systems Strategy and Accountability (OHSSA) advances innovative initiatives to improve healthcare delivery, financing, and strategy in New York City. The Bureau of Equitable Health Systems seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Policy and Legal Director of OHSSA.

This position will also serve as the inaugural Director of Healthcare Accountability, leading strategy and implementation for Local Law 78.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO

• Lead the development of a dynamic, cutting-edge policy strategy to advance OHSSA's short, medium, and long-term goals. Work in close collaboration with data analytics and research teams to develop a mixed methods research agenda to promote greater transparency, understand New York City's most pressing healthcare systems issues, and build the evidence base for OHSSA's overall policy strategy. Identify resources, and build core Healthcare Accountability capabilities, via recruiting and hiring, third-party vendor contracting, grant writing, and partnerships.
• Oversee the drafting and publication of the agency's Health Accountability Annual Report. Oversee the design and development of the agency's Healthcare Accountability website.
• Oversee the promotion and dissemination of Healthcare Accountability resources, reports, and key messages, substantively engaging the public and key stakeholders across diverse sectors. Work in close collaboration with the Office of Labor Relations to implement key provisions under Local Law 78, as well as routinely update their interpretation in accordance with a highly complex, rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
• Stay informed of relevant policy and legal developments at the federal, state, and local levels and brief agency leadership and staff, as needed.
• Lead drafting of regulatory comments, public testimony, presentations, and other official statements on relevant topics.
• Build and maintain relationships with leaders in relevant fields to track programmatic, academic, and policy initiatives and identify opportunities for New York City. Track emerging healthcare business practices and behaviors and their impacts on health equity, affordability, and quality, updating OHSSA's policy strategy and research agenda as needed. Deliver organized, succinct, and compelling presentations to agency, city, and state leadership on relevant topics.
• Provide proactive, authoritative policy and legal advice to teams across the BEHS, with a focus on advancing innovative frameworks and ensuring regulatory compliance for cross-sector data exchange. Serve as the liaison between the Payment and Financing Team and the Office of the General Counsel, negotiating and drafting payor agreements that operationalize OHSSA designed payment models.
• Supervise and mentor staff, providing constructive feedback and identifying opportunities for career growth and development.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• At least seven years of substantive U.S. public health and/or healthcare experience, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following:
• Legislative, regulatory, and/or research policy and analysis.
• The regulation and financing of hospitals and other healthcare facilities and businesses at the federal, state, and local levels.
• The regulation of public and commercial payors at the federal and state levels, and the evolution of managed care.
• Value-based care and Alternative Payment Models.
• Price transparency, All-Payer Claims Databases, and other employer-led strategies to promote high-value care.
• Civil rights and non-discrimination in healthcare.
• Medicaid policy and strategy.
• Healthcare data privacy and security compliance and data sharing frameworks, particularly for the exchange of Medicaid.
• Outstanding research, analytical, and writing skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience managing interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to lead strategic visioning and operationalize mission-driven goals.
• Ability to work independently and self-direct.
• Ability to synthesize and present information on complex programs, policies, and research.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines across multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Creativity, humility, and resourcefulness.
• Passion for social justice and the public good.

Why you should work for us

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website.
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.

o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund.

o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.

o a tax-deferred savings program.

o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security: You could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.