Innovator Agent

Oregon Department of Human Services; Salem (VA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental coverage

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Deferred compensation

FSA options

Paid time off

Job summary

Oregon Health Authority in Salem is seeking an Innovator Agent (IA) for Central Willamette Valley and Central Oregon Coast, a field-based hybrid role focused on health equity, policy research, and local implementation. The IA leads cross-agency collaboration, supports CCOs, and translates statewide priorities into local actions while traveling weekly.

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree and substantial experience in public health, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement; a government

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with five years professional evaluative/analytic work.
• Alternatively, eight years of combined experience and education.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy development and cross-agency collaboration.
• Engage with CCOs and local communities to translate statewide priorities.
• Travel weekly across regions; utilize a government vehicle for travel.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Health equity experience

Medicaid knowledge

Community engagement

Policy analysis

Cross-system collaboration

Strategic problem solving

Regional travel ability

Public health experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Public Admin/Behavioral or Social Sciences/Finance/Political Science

Job description

Job Information

• Initial Posting Date: 09/18/2026
• Application Deadline: 10/11/2026
• Agency: Oregon Health Authority
• Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,098
• Position Type: Employee Position Title: Innovator Agent

Job Description

This is a hybrid position offering significant work-from-home flexibility. It is a hybrid position; If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all. SB 1580 required the Oregon Health Authority to assign an Innovator Agent (IA) to each Coordinated Care Organization (CCO). IA’s have worked with CCO’s since 2012. Since beginning the second phase of innovation with CCO 2.0 in 2020, they are advancing local work with CCO’s with a focus on health equity, Tribal relationships, mental health and substance use delivery services through our behavioral health system, integrating health and social determinates of health work, and emerging statewide initiatives such as Oregon’s new 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver. By having IAs in local communities throughout Oregon, the OHA assures that local voice, via a broad variety of partners, is elevated and captured to affect statewide policy and legislation, incorporating local understanding, engagement and implementation across a variety of communities. Innovator Agents understand the health needs of the region, the strengths and gaps of the health resources in the CCO and articulate these needs and gaps to OHA to ensure statewide and local policy and legislation development, systems change and coordination. They look at best practices and strategies for health care transformation in Oregon and nationally and support uptake and innovation of these practices on the local level through policy and practice research and implementation, advancing equity-based local decision making and facilitation of cross-agency and cross-partner efforts. They prioritize elevating Oregon Health Plan member voice within CCO’s operations and, within the OHA, connecting OHA to better understand local community strengths, needs, and gaps and linking CCO – OHA – and community initiatives. IA’s act as quasi local experts in the communities where the CCO they work with are located. They use relationships to connect OHA, local community organizations, and the CCO’s they work with and ensure coordination across these groups. They help good news travel faster by sharing innovation and successful practices with other CCO’s, with the OHA, and with national audiences. They play a key role in leading OHA’s strategic priority of eliminating health inequalities by taking this statewide priority and working with CCO’s and local communities to translate statewide priorities to local adaptation and implementation. In particular they elevate and ensure that communities in Oregon who face health inequalities because of their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances are engaged in CCO and community health work. Additional Information: Innovator Agent positions are field-base and regional, tied to specific CCO regions and require extensive travel through the regions assigned. This position is actively recruiting for candidates living/working and with experience in the Innovator Agent For Central Willamette Valley, and Central Oregon Coast communities.

Desired Attributes

• Spanish-English Bilingual Communication Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally in both Spanish and English, including speaking, reading, and writing, and experience using bilingual skills to serve or engage Spanish-speaking communities.
• Health Equity Experience Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or supporting programs, policies, services, or initiatives designed to advance health equity or reduce disparities among underserved or historically marginalized populations.
• Medicaid or Health Care System Knowledge Demonstrated knowledge or professional experience with Medicaid, the Oregon Health Plan, coordinated care, health care delivery systems, behavioral health, public health, or related health care programs.
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with community organizations, health care organizations, government agencies, CCOs, local governments, Tribal partners, or other external stakeholders.
• Policy Analysis & Development Demonstrated experience researching, analyzing, interpreting, developing, or implementing public policy, legislation, regulations, programs, or organizational policies.
• Cross-System Collaboration Demonstrated experience bringing together multiple organizations, programs, or stakeholder groups to address complex issues, resolve differences, develop shared solutions, or achieve a common goal.
• Strategic Problem Solving Demonstrated ability to analyze complex or ambiguous issues, identify barriers or opportunities, evaluate potential solutions, and develop recommendations or action plans for leadership or decision-makers.
• Regional Engagement & Travel Demonstrated ability to work independently across multiple communities and organizations, manage a regional workload, and travel weekly throughout the Central Willamette Valley and Central Oregon Coast to conduct meetings, outreach, and stakeholder engagement. A government vehicle is provided for required work-related travel.
• Public Health Experience Demonstrated professional experience working in public health, including experience with public health programs, services, initiatives, systems, policy, community health, population health, disease prevention, health promotion, or other public health-related work.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
• OR; Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

Additional Details

We also offer a competitive benefits package including: Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family. Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare. Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month. Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP). Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon. Additional Details This announcement is for a fulltime, permanent, Innovator Agent for Central Willamette Valley and Central Oregon Coast (Classification: Operations and Policy Analyst 4 based in Salem, Oregon). This is a Hybrid position. Review Section 4: Working Conditions in the position description (linked above) for more information. Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment. The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page. The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process. This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position. We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration. OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.

Team & Benefits of Joining

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class – including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation – and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position. OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. The Oregon flies with her own wings.