Job Specification Details

Policy and planning leadership at a senior professional level for the Department of Health, involving a wide range of complex policy initiatives in the area of public health, health care, and environmental health. The role involves extensive interactions with Department and Agency leadership; Department directors and staff; members of the legislature; stakeholder groups; and local and state partners. Duties are performed with significant independence under the general direction of the Senior Policy and Legal Advisor.

All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Responsible for creating and executing an annual legislative plan coordinated within the Department and Agency.

Prepare reports, briefing papers and other materials needed to comply with legislative initiatives.

Organize and facilitate multidisciplinary project teams composed of technical and scientific experts, from both inside and outside the department.

Participate on rule-writing team to identify priorities and schedules for rulemaking.

Work with program managers and content experts to develop process for writing assigned rules and conforming to legal requirement for specific rules and general rulemaking.

With varying degrees of input from programs and content experts, write and edit rules to reflect appropriate scope, style and consistency with other VDH rules.

Represent VDH on the Governor's Commission on Successful Aging, and chair Health Reform subcommittee. Lead and contribute to drafting of required reports to Governor.

Write policy analyses as assigned to clarify policy issues for Commissioner and Senior Policy and Legal Advisor.

As assigned by Commissioner and Senior Policy and Legal Advisor, research specific topics and work with legislators and others or draft reports as required. (Examples: Hospice, Act 48 Health Reform Report, Integrative Healthcare).

Duties are performed largely in an office setting, with some required travel for which private means of transportation must be available. Evening and weekend duty may be necessary. Some confrontational meetings with interest groups may occur. Superb human relations skills are necessary.

Considerable knowledge of legislative process at the state level.

Ability to read and write complex documents.

Familiarity with, or ability to, write administrative rules.

Ability to monitor and evaluate legislative and regulatory proposals for possible impact on

agency policies and operations.

Ability to identify policy needs and coordinate policy development teams.

Ability to facilitate group meetings.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to exercise considerable tact and diplomacy.

Ability to provide leadership and accountability within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Master's degree or higher in public administration, political science, public health or a related field AND three (3) years of experience at a professional level in government relations, public health or health policy.

OR

Law degree AND two (2) years of experience at a professional level in government relations, public health or health policy.

Master's degree in Public Health

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.