Healthcare Strategy Analyst

City of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life insurance

FSAs

Employee Assistance Program

State retirement plan

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

The City of Bellingham is seeking a Healthcare Strategy Analyst to turn complex trends into strategic recommendations that improve plan design, employee engagement and community health resources.

You will analyze healthcare costs, identify cost containment opportunities and develop data-driven programs aligned with City goals. The role emphasizes collaboration with vendors, providers and community partners to deliver measurable improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration, business administration or related field.
• Four years of work experience in healthcare analytics and employee benefits management.
• Demonstrated work experience analyzing healthcare claims data, cost drivers and benefits design.
• Experience with municipal or public sector benefits administration preferred.
• Background in population health or wellness program design preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Conducts analysis, evaluation and development of healthcare cost-management strategies to support affordable, high-quality healthcare.
• Develops strategies and programs designed to improve healthcare utilization, expand cost-effective access to care and enhance the overall value of benefits.
• Provides strategic insights and recommendations to leadership and works collaboratively with vendors, healthcare providers, and community partners to advance organizational healthcare objectives.

Skills

Healthcare analytics

Employee benefits management

Healthcare claims data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration, business administration or related field

Job description

Join our Human Resources team as a Healthcare Strategy Analyst and help drive innovative, data-powered solutions that strengthen the City’s healthcare programs. In this dynamic role, you’ll translate complex trends and analytics into strategic recommendations that improve plan design, elevate employee engagement and maximize community health resources. We’re looking for a proactive thinker who thrives on collaboration, clarity and impact.

JOB SUMMARY

This position conducts analysis, evaluation and development of healthcare cost-management strategies to support affordable, high-quality healthcare. Conducts research and data analysis to identify opportunities for cost containment and inform recommendations that balance cost, access, quality and outcomes. Develops strategies and programs designed to improve healthcare utilization, expand cost-effective access to care and enhance the overall value of benefits. Provides strategic insights and recommendations to leadership and works collaboratively with vendors, healthcare providers, and community partners to advance organizational healthcare objectives. Develops data-driven, effective and compliant initiatives aligned with City goals.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The current full salary range for this position is $8,278/month - $10,062/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the E-Team Handbook and City policy.

The City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 13.33 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 10/09/26 4:30PM Pacific Time

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration, business administration or related field.
• Four years of work experience in healthcare analytics and employeebenefitsmanagement.
• Demonstrated work experience analyzing healthcare claims data, cost drivers and benefits design.
• Experiencewithmunicipal or public sectorbenefits administrationpreferred.
• Background in population health or wellness program design preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

• Employment contingent on passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with occasional evening or weekend work to attend meetings.
• Work is performed primarily in-person. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of up to two days per week after satisfying an initial training and orientation period.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of October 29, 2026. If needed, we may open up a second day of interviews for the morning of October 30, 2026, only if all times are filled for October 29th. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around October 19, 2026.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.