Position: Policy Specialist
Reports to: Executive Director
Direct Reports: None
Location: Hybrid with travel
Position Overview: KVH seeks to hire a Policy Specialist to advocate for evidence-based policies that address issues such as health insurance coverage, enrollment, access to affordable healthcare, quality of care, school-based health services, maternal and child health, and public health.
Successful applicants will share KVH’s commitment to social, economic, and racial justice and our mission to amplify the voices of consumers and health advocates in the decisions that affect the health and wellbeing of Kentuckians. The duties of the Policy Specialist are outlined below.
Coalition-building and Policy Advocacy:
- Assist the KVH policy team in the development and implementation of a policy advocacy work plan, including coalition-building, outreach to targeted regions/groups within the Commonwealth, and issues campaign activities.
- Coordinate advocacy activities with relevant coalitions and partner organizations.
- Coordinate and facilitate policy workgroups, coalition meetings, webinars, trainings, and community forums.
- Support KVH’s outreach team in building and managing an effective feedback loop among local, regional, and state partners to share information and facilitate collaboration.
- Work collaboratively with state agencies, policymakers, Medicaid providers, community organizations, and boots-on-the-ground community professionals to improve coverage, access to care, health outcomes, and health equity through policy advocacy and systems change.
- Conduct research and policy analysis related to the impact of access to care, safety-net programs, and health system changes for Kentuckians.
- Meet with legislative and executive branch policymakers and support staff to discuss policy priorities, provide education on specific topics (e.g. school-based health services, maternal/child health, access to care, etc.) and advocate for evidence-based policy solutions and systems change.
- Provide training and technical assistance to providers, advocates, and consumers serving on advisory committees for health systems, insurers, and state agencies.
Communications:
- Work in collaboration with staff to:
- Translate policy changes into meaningful information, plain language educational materials, policy explainers, blogs, toolkits, and tailored messaging for consumers, advocates, providers, and policymakers.
- Assure messaging and educational materials are accurate and regularly updated.
- Amplify consumer voices through storybanking, comment collection, testimony, press conferences, surveys, and earned media.
- Compose letters, public comments, testimony, and talking points.
- Prepare and provide presentations to community groups.
- Contribute policy content to weekly email updates, presentations, and other communications to KVH stakeholders.
Other Duties:
- Track goals, manage deliverables, and write reports as required by funding sources.
- Attend and participate in meetings on behalf of KVH.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong commitment to health justice for all Kentuckians, regardless of race, place, age, gender, income or other identifications.
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience in public policy, political science, community organizing and/or coalition building. Ideal candidates will have experience working on policies related to school health, maternal/child health, public health, and access to care.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to engage with a diverse range of coalition members, policymakers, and health system stakeholders.
- Excellent communicator with the ability to build rapport and trust.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail sufficient to manage a project with multiple contributors, tasks, and deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and G Suite preferred. Training can be provided.
- Ability to adapt to changing situations, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, handle confidential information, and switch between different projects and tasks on short notice.
- Ability to be self-motivated and self-directed, working constructively both independently and in teams.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with many different stakeholders and constituencies.
- Must be willing to work in a hybrid office/remote position with regular in-state travel and occasional out-of-state travel. There will be an expectation to remain flexible and available for regular travel to Frankfort during the legislative session.
- Reliable vehicle with valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
Additional Information
This position is grant-funded through mid-2026. If additional funding becomes available, the position will be extended.
KVH is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to building a team that is excellent and reflects the communities we serve. We are seeking candidates who are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender identity, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, abilities, veteran status and other qualities. We encourage people of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Salary Range: $55,000 – $65,000 annually, based on experience
Schedule
This is a full-time, exempt position at 40 hours per week. Days generally worked are Monday – Friday during normal business hours with occasional evening or weekend hours. Regular instate travel and occasional out-of-state travel is required. There will be an expectation to remain flexible and available for regular travel to Frankfort during the legislative session. Travel expenses and mileage are reimbursed.
Benefits
- Paid Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and two floating holidays.
- Paid Time Off: Full time employees are eligible to accrue PTO at follows:
- 2nd & 3rd year: 15 days of PTO / 4.62 hours accrued per pay period
- 1st year: 13 days of PTO / 4 hours accrued per pay period
- 4+ years: 20 days of PTO / 6.15 hours accrued per pay period
- Paid Medical Leave: 15 days per year
- Paid Parental Leave: 30 days per year for the birth or adoptive/foster placement of a child
- Child Care: $200 monthly match to the Employer Child Care Assistance Partnership (which the state matches at 50 – 100% based on income) or $200 contribution to a pre-tax Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account (DCFSA) for children under age 13.
- Healthcare: $440 monthly contribution is made to a pre-tax Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to help cover out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
- Retirement: 401k participation with 5% employer contribution.
How to apply
Please email your resume and contact information for three professional references and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for this position to alex@kyvoicesforhealth.org. Applications received on or before August 9, 2024 will receive priority review. Position is open until filled.
Kentucky Voices for Health (KVH) has been a respected voice of consumer advocates and a catalyst in health policy decision-making since 2007. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan coalition, we bring together individuals, advocates, community organizations, state agencies, and policymakers to address the underlying causes of poor health by connecting Kentuckians with opportunities to make change through policy advocacy.
