Legislative Manager (MA5/DBHR)

Washington State Health Care Authority; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Flexible schedules

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

PFML (Paid Family and Medical Leave)

Retirement options

Professional development

Job summary

The Legislative Manager at Washington State Health Care Authority (DBHR) will serve as the division's policy expert on behavioral health legislation, tracking proposals and advising executive leadership on policy, budget, and implementation impacts shaping behavioral health services in Washington.

This hybrid, mostly remote role requires delivering briefing materials, coordinating analyses, and representing the agency with legislative staff, the Governor's Office, and other partners during

Qualifications

• Ability to manage a high-volume legislative portfolio, review and synthesize complex legislation, regulations, and budgets.
• Proficiency in developing fiscal notes, bill analyses, and policy impact statements for health programs.
• Experience preparing reports and briefing materials for senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze behavioral health policy related to legislative proposals and strategies.
• Direct and monitor division staff work on bill analyses and sunrise review proposals to ensure timely completion.
• Produce agency request legislation and behavioral health budget materials for sponsors and Governor’s Office.
• Oversee complex reports to the Legislature on legislative task and project implementation.
• Evaluate impact of proposals and draft amendments with leadership and experts.
• Represent the agency in inquiries about the state behavioral health budget and progress.
• Develop and deliver presentations on legislative implementation to diverse groups.
• Assess priorities and train staff on agency legislative strategy.

Skills

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Stakeholder liaison

Project management

Education

Master's degree in public health / public administration

Job description

Legislative Manager (Management Analyst 5)

This is a full-time permanent, remote position. Employees may occasionally be asked to attend an in-person meeting or event based on business needs.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

Be DBHR's go-to expert on behavioral health legislation. The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is seeking a Legislative Manager to serve as the division's subject matter expert and agency representative on federal and state behavioral health legislative priorities. Based in DBHR's Operations section, you will track and analyze legislation, lead the division's legislative work, and advise HCA and DBHR executive leadership on the policy, budget, and implementation impacts that shape behavioral health services across Washington.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, and provide expert consultation on behavioral health policy related to legislative proposals, recommended strategies, and courses of action.
• Direct and monitor division staff work on bill analyses, sunrise review proposals, and assigned legislative tasks to ensure quality and timely completion.
• Produce and oversee the production of agency request legislation for legislative sponsors and the Governor's Office.
• Produce and oversee behavioral health budget decision packages that align with federal and state priorities for delivery to the Office of Financial Management.
• Produce and oversee complex reports to the Legislature on legislative task and project implementation.
• Evaluate the impact of legislative proposals on the division and draft legislative amendments with division leadership and subject matter experts.
• Represent the agency in legislative inquiries about the state behavioral health budget and program progress.
• Develop and deliver presentations on legislative implementation to diverse groups at the state and federal levels.
• Assess division legislative priorities and resource needs and train division staff on agency legislative strategy.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• You'll be at the center of behavioral health policy in Washington, shaping how new laws become real services.
• You'll work directly with executive leadership, legislative staff, and the Governor's Office.
• Your expertise will guide the division's legislative strategy and set the standard for quality analysis.
• You'll have a primarily remote position that balances telework with team collaboration in Olympia.

What You Bring

You are a strategic, politically aware communicator who can distill complex legislation into clear, concise advice for executive leaders. You thrive in the fast pace of legislative session, stay organized under tight deadlines, and hold yourself and others to a high standard of quality. You build trust across divisions and agencies, bring people together to reach consensus, and stay curious about how policy affects the people and communities we serve.

Required Qualifications

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume legislative portfolio, including reviewing, analyzing, and synthesizing complex state and federal legislation, regulations, and budgets.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing, reviewing, and coordinating fiscal notes, bill analyses, and policy impact statements related to health and human services programs.
• Demonstrated ability to compile, edit, coordinate, and submit required legislative reports and proviso-related deliverables while meeting established deadlines.
• Demonstrated expertise in preparing and presenting concise, high-level briefing materials, policy memoranda, reports, and presentations for senior and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead partner workgroups, facilitate collaboration, and build consensus regarding policy development, implementation, and organizational priorities.

Required Competencies

• Equity lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant.

• A master's degree in public health, behavioral health, public administration, business administration, social work, law, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated consultative or supervisory experience in health services, social services, Medicaid, behavioral health, or other health care programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the structure, governance, and operations of Washington State's public legislative system.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid programs, billing practices, reimbursement requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of governmental contracting processes, procurement requirements, contract administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines governing behavioral health and social services programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health programs, service delivery models, and evidence-based interventions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child, youth, and family-serving behavioral health systems, including available services, resources, and coordination of care.
• Demonstrated proficiency in public speaking, delivering presentations, facilitating discussions, and communicating effectively with diverse audiences, partners, and executive leadership.

About the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR)

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) provides support for substance use treatment, mental health services, and problem gambling services through prevention, treatment, peer, and recovery support. Programs promote strategies that support healthy lifestyles by preventing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, supporting recovery from substance use, promoting recovery and resiliency, reducing stigma, and mitigating the effects of problem gambling on the individual and family. DBHR brings operational elements such as substance use and mental health into closer working relations to serve individuals more effectively and efficiently. The Legislative Manager is located within the Operations section of DBHR and is supervised by the Operations Manager.

About the Washington State Health Care Authority

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State’s largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinates care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high-quality care across Washington.

More than a benefits package:

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work location and schedule:

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week hybrid position. You will report to the HCA office located in Olympia, WA for in-person work. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs. When working in-person, you will work in a shared space, open office environment. In this role you’ll regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace:

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Veterans:

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Need accommodations or have questions?

Lisa Fleming, Human Resource Consultant (Recruiter) at [e-mail] and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject line.

Technical support

Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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