Description

DSHS ESA Refugee and Immigrant Lead Policy Analyst

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Community Services Division (CSD) are looking for a Lead Policy Analyst within the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA).

ORIA is responsible for administering and managing a variety of federal and state-funded programs which include refugee cash/medical assistance (RCA/RMA), comprehensive case management, self-sufficiency education, immigration assistance, refugee medical services, refugee mental health services, employment and training services, vocational English language programs, Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) foster care, youth educational activities, elderly services, immigration-related legal services, and naturalization services. ORIA contracts with over 60 community partners to provide the services, including refugee resettlement agencies, community-based organizations, state agencies, colleges, and others.

The Division is committed to creating a diverse workforce in a modern work environment that includes the potential for telework options. We value diverse perspectives and employ people of all backgrounds. We are actively involved in promoting equity, diversity, access, and inclusion (EDAI) within the Division.

In this role, you will be directly responsible for guiding and informing the development and implementation of statewide policies to administer the state's refugee programs. Employees assigned to a duty station in King County will receive a 5% Premium pay calculated from their base salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Some of what you'll be doing:

• 
  Analyze and interpret federal and state rules, regulations and policies related to refugee and immigrant's eligibility, requirements, and allowable services.
• Evaluate immigration documents and eligibility for public benefits and sharing this knowledge with others.
• Provide analytical support for ORIA’s participation in the legislative process, including review and propose state legislation and rulemaking through an EDAI lens.
• Provide statewide oversight, coordination, and monitoring of federal Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance Programs and policies.
• Produce written materials that concisely and clearly describe complex analysis and policy options to decision makers.
• Provide ORIA with support and training when necessary to effectively plan for policy changes and impacts.
• Lead or participate in workgroups for rulemaking, operational processes, IT changes, update resources, and other tasks as business needs require.
• Manage internal programmatic quality assurance processes
• Collect and evaluate data relevant to policy and programs
• Lead and participate in the Immigration Community of Practice workgroup.
• Coordinate federal waiver requests and the annual State Service Plan
• Lead or participate in drafting deliverables for federal reporting requirements

What we are looking for:

• Strong analytical, negotiating, and writing skills
• Effective communication skills in person, by phone, email and other electronic messaging
• The ability to facilitate meetings, workgroups and able to synthesize complex ideas into manageable, workable items to progress and produce meeting outcomes.
• Experience making presentations and speaking publicly
• Highly developed Interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence when working with government agencies, stakeholders, and diverse community groups
• The ability to learn quickly, easily adapt to change and perform multiple tasks with varying and competing issues and priorities
• The ability to travel for work related functions as per business needs
• The ability to work diplomatically with external and internal stakeholder
• Experience in establishing and maintaining strong professional relationship with customers and stakeholders
• An understanding of Equity, Diversity, Access and Inclusion principles and willingness to continue learning and growing in this regard.
• Experience with reading and evaluating immigration documents and immigration status is a plus

Who should apply?
Professionals with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Social Service, Public Administration or a related field,

AND

Prior experience and knowledge of administering programs and services for refugees and immigrants,

AND

A minimum of two-year's policy experience or demonstrated comparable work and skills.

Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

To Apply

• Letter of interest (up to two pages) specifically addressing the knowledge, skills and experience you have related to the job and duties
• Current chronological resume
• Three professional references.

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions: Please contact Njeri Kirangi and reference job number 17196

Note: Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) state employees must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available, once an offer of employment is made.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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