Senior Federal Policy Analyst

The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.

The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.

The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:

Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange’s area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.


This position is a 12-month temporary role.

Duties

SUMMARY
The Senior Federal Policy Analyst is a senior role supporting Exchange response to federal action, including Exchange analysis of implications for policy, compliance, analytic, and operational response. The Senior Federal Policy Analyst analyzes and interprets federal and state laws and regulations, and leads through influence to help Exchange teams translate laws and regulations into strategies that fulfill the Exchange’s mission to help Washingtonians secure health insurance. Operating in an environment of significant change and uncertainty, the Senior Federal Policy Analyst is an innovative problem solver and systems thinker who is skilled in managing ambiguity for themselves and others.

Based on research, data, discussion with state-based marketplaces and other stakeholders, and knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Senior Federal Policy Analyst will analyze state and federal health policy issues, develop options and recommendations, and respond to policy related questions from internal and external audiences. The position develops and performs analyses of issues for consideration by the Exchange Board, Executive Leadership Team, and Strategy & Policy Team, including efforts to maintain access to affordable health insurance to Washington residents. The Senior Federal Policy Analyst will use independent judgment and often work in inter-departmental teams to prepare options and recommendations critical to advancing quality health coverage and improving Washington Healthplanfinder design.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Serve as a subject matter expert and lead ongoing engagement with internal and external stakeholders and consultants, as needed, on development and implementation of Exchange initiatives that are responsive to federal policy.
o Collaborate and build relationships with other state agencies, state-based exchanges, and internal and external stakeholders to solicit feedback and gather information on best practices.
o Understand and represent the Exchange and its viewpoints with internal and external parties.
o Draft and present policy papers, briefs, and reports that are tailored for distinct audiences about Exchange policy issues, including conducting quantitative analysis as needed.
o Support the management of contracts, budgets, timelines, workflows, and deliverables related to specific Exchange federal response issues.
•Research, monitor, review, evaluate, and develop federal activity and responsive policy options and recommendations, and provide expert guidance to intradepartmental teams. Identify benefits and drawbacks of existing and proposed policies or options, and develop recommendations based on agreed objectives or principles in the critical areas of eligibility, enrollment, data, compliance, and consumer experience.
o Lead projects involving data, reporting and analytics staff/contractors to perform data analysis on large data sets and present findings to Exchange stakeholders.
o Analyze and summarize Exchange impacts of relevant federal and state health legislation, regulations, and guidance.
•Other duties as assigned.

Salary

• $89,855 - $112,319/year

Qualifications

Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in health policy, public policy, public health, public administration, or related field.
oNote: Additional years of experience in health policy, public administration, or public policy may substitute year-for-year for bachelor’s degree attainment.
• Three years of experience in health policy, public policy, public administration, or legal background. Each year of postgraduate education can be substituted for a year of experience.
• Show strong proficiencies in:
o Systems thinking
o Creative problem solving
o Working independently and possessing strong collaborative skills
o Leadership through influence
o Stakeholder management
o Managing ambiguity
• Ability to quickly analyze and interpret federal and state laws and regulations.
• Understanding of the federal rule-making process, interpretation of federal guidance and the ability to respond to federal regulation in a timely manner.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to accept responsibility and work in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desired:
• Advanced degree in health policy, public policy, law, public health, or public administration preferred.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of key components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other applicable state or federal law, especially health insurance exchanges and the health care industry, including Medicaid, the commercial insurance market, and other health delivery systems, and addressing or otherwise managing issues of access, affordability, and quality health care.
• Knowledge of or experience in health equity.
• Knowledge and experience in interpretation with state legislation and other state and federal laws governing health care programs in Washington state.

PLEASE NOTE: We will only be accepting applications until August 26, 2025.

Other Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application (click link) with a cover letter as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.

SALARY INFORMATION
Full Salary Range: $89,855.00 to $134,783.00 annually, with midpoint at $112,319.00.

Hiring Range: $103,334.00 and $112,319.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer.

The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market. Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum.

BENEFITS
Take a peek at our benefits package.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are times where irregular hours will be required. The preferred duty station is our Olympia, Washington headquarters. The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration. While a hybrid remote and on-site schedule may be considered, the position will require flexibility to allow for in-office availability as business needs dictate. Travel requirements will be limited, however there may be occasions where an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment, including setup for remote work. The employee is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe, ergonomic, and secure workspace at their remote location.

The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A criminal background screen will be conducted for candidates under final consideration, and if hired, every five years of employment where highly sensitive data is processed or maintained by the position. The result of this background screen must meet the Exchange’s eligibility standards.

OTHER INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

This is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We participate in E-Verify. You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster here.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025