Policy Advisor III - Regulatory Specialist

Pueblo Community College; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement

Medical and dental health plans

Health Savings Account

Paid life insurance

Disability coverage

11 paid holidays + vacation and sick

Wellness program

Flexible schedules

Remote work arrangements

Job summary

Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is seeking a Policy Advisor III within the Behavioral Health Administration to support regulatory projects, policy making and legislative strategy.

The role involves researching statutory language, drafting rules, and providing technical assistance to implement behavioral health regulations. Collaboration across state departments and stakeholder engagement are essential to align policies with statewide strategy and to publish regulatory guidance.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License.
• Standard background check and reference checks are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide research, analysis and synthesis of best practice on the three Rule volumes.
• Draft Rule in collaboration with Subject Matter Experts based on established theory and standards of care.
• Develop and present training and technical assistance materials to support promulgation, interpretation, and implementation of Rule.
• Support monitoring of compliance needs with Rule as directed by the Director of Regulatory Affairs.
• Support the development of materials for Board Packets and research materials to justify Director presentations to the State Board and stakeholder meetings.
• Create briefs on how regulation affects BHA, other state departments, and community partners.
• Coordinate routine meetings with other state agencies on Rule development to ensure consistency across BH topics.
• Review statutes to ascertain legislative intent and prepare materials for Director interpretation.

Skills

Policy analysis

Regulatory drafting

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory research

Policy communication

Job description

About this Unit:

The position is located within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) which leads and promotes the State’s behavioral health priorities, ensures that behavioral health services respond to the changing needs of communities, monitors State and local data, and continuously evaluates State efforts. In collaboration with other state agencies, BHA is accountable for the delivery of behavioral health services in Colorado. It bestows a streamlined and efficient government approach to support quality care while minimizing the burden to providers, allowing them to focus on service delivery. BHA is responsible for behavioral health policy development and effective collaboration with cross-sector partners working in and around the behavioral health system and along the continuum from prevention to treatment and recovery. BHA works in partnership with State agencies to reduce bureaucracy and fragmentation.

This position sits within the Government Affairs Division’s Regulatory Affairs Unit within BHA and reports directly to the Director of Regulatory Affairs. The Unit is responsible for developing and maintaining the regulatory structure of Provider Rules (2 CCR 502-1), System/Commissioner Rules (2 CCR 502-5), and Administrative Rules (2 CCR 502-6). These rule volumes shape behavioral health licensing, provide regulatory guidance on BHA programs and BHA designees, and provide the structure for BHA systems and procedures.

About this Position:

This Policy Advisor III position provides support to all regulatory projects including, but not limited to, research, analysis of statutory and regulatory needs/language, technical assistance, drafting, and stakeholdering. This position supports technical assistance in policy making and legislative strategic planning as directed by leadership.

The Policy Advisor III collaborates with other members of the team and Subject Matter Experts to provide detailed research, analysis and drafts of policy and rules which incorporate best practice, improved standards of care and specific strategies to effectively implement behavioral health services.

The position includes material development, analysis and draft responses to external partners in support of the Director of Regulatory Affairs’s diverse and broad stakeholder engagement in the process of Rule promulgation. The position is responsible for supporting revisions and incorporation of stakeholder feedback within rapid timeframes to support the Director of Regulatory Affairs in regulatory priorities and external affairs. The position is tasked to coordinate policy and rule development with other state departments and divisions to support the BHA’s statewide strategic vision. This may include shared drafting, coordination of policy efforts, and integrated rule. The position supports the Director of Regulatory Affairs through the State Board of Human Services review of policy and Rule.

Following the passage of the regulation, the position assists in publishing and implementation of the new regulations, working across divisions within BHA and across agencies. Similarly, this person supports the others within the Unit to respond to requests from other Departments and stakeholders on behavioral health program implementation and Behavioral Health regulation (2 CCR 502-1, 2 CCR 502-5, and 2 CCR 502-6). This position provides materials and technical assistance to other state Departments and public stakeholders on these regulations, and works to ensure that Rule, sub-regulatory guidance, and other materials/presentations from the Regulatory Unit are completed in an accessible manner. The position develops and demands skills and expertise in the development, evaluation, and recommendation of major regulatory and program determinations that have influence at a state level, including regulatory and program determinations that may affect multiple state Departments, such as HCPF, DPS, DORA and CDPHE. The position is expected to support the Unit with analysis of operating policies, guidelines, and work processes, both inside and outside of the Unit, and create strategic approaches to particular circumstances.

Summary of Job Duties:

Behavioral Health Rules Promulgation and Technical Assistance:

• Provide research, analysis and synthesis of best practice on the three Rule volumes.
• Draft Rule in collaboration with Subject Matter Experts based on established theory and standards of care.
• Develop and present training and technical assistance materials to support promulgation, interpretation, and implementation of Rule.
• Support monitoring of compliance needs with Rule as directed by the Director of Regulatory Affairs.
• Support the development of materials for Board Packets and any research or additional materials to support justification for Director of Regulatory Affairs Presentations to the State Board, stakeholder meetings, and any additional presentations.
• Create briefs on how regulation affects BHA, other state Departments, and other community partners.
• Makes revisions to Rule based on feedback from the Board, and ensures that content expertise is present as needed.
• Support maintenance of the calendar of Rule review and revision for the BHA, scheduling and managing material development for stakeholder feedback, preparing Rule packages, summarizing committee reviews and clearance processes, and ensuring all public notice requirements are met.
• Seeks out content expertise both within and outside of BHA, drafting rule to satisfy a variety of stakeholders and best practices.
• Coordinate routine meetings and processes when assigned for working with other state agencies on Rule development to support integrated and consistent rule across agencies on core topics for BH across the agency.
• Reviews statutes to ascertain legislative intent and prepare materials for the Director of Regulatory Affairs interpretation on intent in Rule, seeking consultation from the Office of the Attorney General, as needed.
• Assists in ensuring Rules are aligned with other Divisions and State Departments, including HCPF and BHASO fiscal reimbursement abilities, CDPHE licensing rules, and DORA scope of practice rules.
• Provides training for stakeholders and BHA staff in regulatory provisions, when assigned.
• Drafts responses to questions from the State Board of Human Services regarding the rationale and content of Rule.

Regulatory review, analysis, and research:

• Coordinate feedback across all BHA Divisions, other state Departments on the Department’s fiscal and policy analysis of new regulation. Provide research, analysis and draft recommendations to the Director of Regulatory Affairs.
• Provide research, analysis, and drafting of statutory and regulatory changes, policies and procedures, and functions.
• Support the Director of Regulatory Affairs with analysis of how new programs or changes to programs may impact regulations, policies or legislation.
• Support BHA divisions and other state agency personnel to understand the impact of the three Rule Volumes.
• Answer questions and provide technical assistance on statutory and regulatory changes, policies procedures and Rule. This position requires judgment and resourcefulness to interpret policy and how other programs may implement BHA’s regulations, policies and/or recommendations.
• Support consultation on contractor and agency compliance with Rule, statute and contracts to assist the Compliance Administration Team and to Program Managers.
• Supports completion of draft compliance reviews and technical assistance as needed to both internal and external partners.
• Review, research, and draft summaries of federal and state laws and regulations, including laws and regulations in other states, and advises the Director of Regulatory Affairs on implications and potential opportunities to enhance Colorado’s behavioral health system.
• Provides interpretation and analysis of statutory, regulatory, and policy impacts. Interprets and disseminates information.
• Assists in tracking the completion of regulatory projects and reports, ensuring adequate time for editing and clearance.
• Identify relevant statutes and regulations that may support or limit a BHA initiative, and provide updates to the Director of Regulatory Affairs.

Other Duties as Assigned:

This position may be called upon to perform tasks or undertake special assignments or projects deemed necessary by the BHA, but not specifically referenced in the above duties.

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

Or

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years

Education and Experience:

• Standard background check and reference check required
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Conditions of Employment:

• [Standard/full] background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border
• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
• Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

1. Disclose that information on the application.
2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
3. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights:

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At [phone]
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

About Us & Benefits:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado.

Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values:

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations:

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

EEO Statement:

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.