Senior Policy Manager

Department of Health and Human Services; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 81,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Gym membership reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

Job summary

The Department of Health and Human Services in Augusta seeks a Senior Policy Manager to lead the policy team responsible for MaineCare policy interpretation and changes to coverage and reimbursement with state and federal authorities. The role emphasizes evidence-based OMS policies, alignment with provider operations, and collaboration with CMS, Attorney General, and other state offices.

You will supervise about eleven staff and shape policy guidance for MaineCare services.

Qualifications

• 8-year combination of education and experience in human services, law, health care, or public policy/administration.
• Professional degree in public policy or administration or related field with focus on health policy.
• Managerial or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with Medicaid or health and human services programs.
• Lived experience with Medicaid or related health-related social needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and manage policy team priorities and deadlines.
• Assist staff in policy decisions and clear interpretation of policies.
• Collaborate with providers, MaineCare members, and other state departments to interpret policy changes.
• Liaise with the Office of Attorney General to review rules under Maine’s Administrative Procedures Act.
• Coordinate with CMS to submit State Plan Amendments and waivers.
• Analyze impact of new state and federal laws on MaineCare policies and services.
• Refine protocols ensuring policy recommendations are data-driven and input-based.
• Advise Policy team managers on hiring and staffing and support staff development.

Skills

Policy leadership

Writing & editing

Team management

Project management

Policy analysis

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Professional degree in public policy/administration

Healthcare administration

Law

Medicaid policy knowledge

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Position Details

Opening Date: August 19, 2026 Closing Date: September 1, 2026 Job Class Code: MA32 Grade: 32 (Confidential) Salary: $81,411.20 - $115,024.00 per year Position Number: 02000-2595 Location: Augusta Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Core Responsibilities

The Senior Policy Manager oversees the policy team in providing clear and well-informed interpretation and articulation of current MaineCare regulations and obtaining state and federal authorities necessary for changes in coverage and reimbursement of MaineCare services.

Key priorities for this position include ensuring that OMS policies are grounded in evidence, congruent with provider and state operations, adherent to federal and state requirements, reflective of DHHS priorities, and well-positioned to serve the MaineCare population.

This position will lead a team of approximately eleven staff members, with direct supervisory duties of three individuals.

Typical responsibilities and duties will include:

• Providing day-to-day leadership and management for the above areas of responsibility and working with OMS staff to ensure that work is appropriately prioritized, scheduled, and executed according to established workplans, deadlines, and best practices.
• Assisting staff to make routine and complex policy-related decisions and to provide accurate and clear interpretation and articulation of policies and rules.
• Working with partners, including providers, advocates, MaineCare members, other DHHS Offices, and other State of Maine Departments to interpret current and/or inform changes to MaineCare policies, as applicable.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the Office of Attorney General to review and adopt rules in accordance with Maine’s Administrative Procedures Act.
• Liaising with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and assisting MaineCare staff in maintaining a consistent and effective process for working with CMS to submit required State Plan Amendment and waiver (e.g. Home and Community Based Waiver, 1115 Demonstration Waivers) applications and respond to federal mandates that impact MaineCare services.
• Analyzing, coordinating, and communicating the impact of new state and federal laws on MaineCare’s policies, processes, services, and members, and on OMS’s interaction with other DHHS Offices and State of Maine Departments.
• Following and refining protocols to ensure policy recommendations are comprehensively constructed, evaluated and informed by data and interested party input.
• Advising the Policy team managers on hiring and staffing issues and supporting Policy staff with professional development resources and tools.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify, your background must include an 8-year combination of education and experience in human services, law, health care, or public policy/administration. Professional degree in public policy or administration, healthcare administration, law or other comparable field with a focus on health or social policy and demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid policies preferred. Managerial/supervisory experience is preferred. Additional preferred experience includes:

• Experience with and knowledge of the Medicaid program and/or other health and human services programs serving low-income populations
• Lived experience with Medicaid and/or other health-related social needs common to individuals and families receiving Medicaid coverage

The background of well-qualified candidates will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Prior experience in the analysis, interpretation, development, and implementation of health care and or social service-related policies at the state or federal level.
• Ability to effectively and concisely communicate complex and technical information for a variety of audiences and in a variety of formats, including excellent writing and editing skills.
• Experience managing and/or coordinating teams and building out tools and processes (e.g. guidelines, templates, checklists, accountability structures) to support team success, with a focus on writing and editing competencies.
• Experience in making decisions and offering policy recommendations of broad scope and complexity in a clear, concise, and timely manner.
• Experience facilitating and/or coordinating across diverse teams to understand and/or develop recommendations related to complex subject matter.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to ensure self- and team- accountability in meeting critical state and federal milestones, providing and maintain accurate and transparent timelines, and prioritizing work appropriately.

Agency Information

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders.

The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) within DHHS administers the state’s Medicaid program, which provides free or low-cost health insurance coverage for low-income Mainers so they can access the health care services they need to work, care for family, go to school, and participate in the community.

OMS works collaboratively with other State agencies, the Legislature, the Office of the Governor, MaineCare members, health care providers, and other health care purchasers on statewide healthcare improvement initiatives.

OMS is committed to advancing efforts to improve access to care and positive health outcomes for all low-income Mainers.

OMS provides benefit coverage and support services in alignment with Department goals, federal requirements, and State statutes.

OMS also provides oversight necessary to ensure accountability and efficient and effective administration of the state’s Medicaid program.

The policy unit within OMS is responsible for the development and management of policies for services and programs that provide eligible Mainers with access to comprehensive, affordable, and high-quality healthcare, in accordance with federal and state requirements.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.86% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
• Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.