OHA Ombudsperson Bilingual

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This is a hybrid position offering significant work-from-home flexibility.

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! – OHA Ombudsperson – Bilingual

The Ombuds Program will offer an informational webinar about the position and team for potential applicants. If you are interested in applying but want to learn more please register to attend.  

• English  11:30 – 12:30 PT Friday October 30th 

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/8Gypuv04Rvu3BiLPfPWZ9g 

• Spanish 1:30 – 2:30 PT Friday October 30th

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/-4zXuy2MQb6mbSENFJ0q0A

On behalf of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Ombuds Program, this position acts as an advocate for individuals eligible for and enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan, and others served by OHP programs. Advocacy is done by performing case-management like work for over 40 cases per month including client intake and support, organizational research, background information compilation and meeting with internal OHA staff and CCO or other contractors and providers to resolve individual and system concerns. This position supports access to quality, value-based care that advances health equity by providing independent, informal mediation, rules, policy, and process review and recommendations to individuals or partners that have complaints, questions, or grievances about OHA services, programs, polices or processes. 

This position supports the overall OHA Ombuds Program which identifies, articulates, and recommends policy or procedural changes to strengthen OHP members’ access to quality, value-based care where individual Ombuds cases identify systems or policy concerns. This position supports the OHA’s mission, vision, and core values particularly advancing health equity in the execution of the agency’s duties. 

The OHA Ombudsperson works independently and is part of a team for case management resolution; this also requires obtaining the cooperation and joint planning efforts of multiple state agencies, community organizations, individual partners contractors, and medical providers and community partners. 

This position uses empathy, strong interpersonal and cultural humility skills, confliction resolution, and analytical investigation to support resolution of concerns and critical situations. This position supports subject matter expertise, analysis, and recommendations to resolve cases for executive management, and program areas across the agency. This position uses case management and documentation, data analysis from the Ombuds program and other OHA programs, and collaboration with community programs to ensure case resolution, understand trends, inform data-driven reports, and advocate for systems improvements based on OHP member experience. This requires ability to work on an individual and systems level approach and translate individual learnings into systems improvements.  

For a full review of the position description, please Click Here

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications: These qualifications must be reflected in your application for consideration.

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or a degree related to the agency program that demonstrates the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and two years of experience coordinating or administering a program 
OR 
Any combination of experience or education equivalent to five years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skill requirements listed for the classification.

Desired Attributes: The following are desired attributes that we have identified as key to success for this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you have any of these, please let us know in your application. 

Requested Skills:

• Strong Medicaid knowledge, particularly with experience in Medicaid complaints and grievances, work with Coordinated Care Organizations and/or professional or lived experience working, advocating and/or navigating Oregon’s Medicaid system preferred

• Case management or advocacy experience, preferably with populations most impacted by health inequities

• Previous ombuds experience.

• Excellent customer service skills, with Medicaid and/or state government and/or Coordinated Care Organization complaints and feedback experience preferred.

• Demonstrated skills in organizational collaboration, alternative dispute resolution and/or relationship-based approaches to resolving conflict

• Demonstrated ability to translate individual experience into systems improvement and advocacy, particularly within Medicaid and/or other health settings. 

• Demonstrated cultural awareness and cultural humility

• Demonstrated ability to steward relationships with diverse groups.

• Strong communication skills (written and oral) with ability to persuade and to communicate complex topics in understandable ways. Demonstrated effective communication with coworkers, OHA leadership, CCO staff, OHP members, and other members of the public.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and effectively manage and advocate for members experiencing extreme frustration with health systems and state government.

• Must be able to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines and have flexibility while managing case load.

• Experience with using data analytics and proficiency in common Microsoft office tools.

• Preferences may be given to applicants with demonstrated experience advancing health equity, cultivating relationships with, and advancing the interest of non-dominant cultures such as linguistically diverse, immigrant or refugee populations, LGBTQ communities, and gender- and ability- diverse community members.

• Preference may be given to applicants with an advanced degree from an accredited institution in field such as public health, social work, law, or conflict resolution and/or coursework, training and/or program development focused on social justice, diversity and inclusion, universal access, and the ADA, dismantling institutional privilege, social determinants of health and equity.

• Bilingual skills; Spanish-English and/or other bilingual skills or candidates speaking one of the top languages spoken by Oregon Health Plan members such as Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Ukrainian, Arabic, Somali, or other immigrant groups’ native language. 

Preference Statement:  Preference may be given to candidates who possess the following job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Spanish-English and/or other bilingual skills or candidates speaking one of the top languages spoken by Oregon Health Plan members such as Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Ukrainian, Arabic, Somali. 

Application Guidance 

Your candidate profile and application are your opportunity to showcase your skills and interest in this role. Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, consistency, and communication skills, and for alignment with the guidance provided in the below: 

Submission Requirements: 

• Resume – Attach your current resume that clearly outlines your education and work experience relevant to this position. 

• Cover Letter- Attached a cover letter that speaks to how you meet the desired attributes 

• Supplemental Questions – Answer all supplemental questions completely and accurately. 

• Final Check! – Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included, and your Workday Job History is current. The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.  

How to Apply: 

• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage or click the “Apply” tab above to submit your application, following all submission requirements. 

• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login, following all submission requirements. 

After You Apply: 

• Complete any pending tasks in Workday under “My Applications” prior to the application deadline. 

• Check your email (including junk folder) and Workday inbox regularly for updates on your application. 

Reminders: 

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. To protect your information and ensure correct processing, please follow the instructions for submitting your Veterans’ Preference documentation. 

• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.  

About the Team & Benefits of Joining 

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from.  

If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including: 

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family. 

• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare. 

• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month. 

• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP). 

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon. 

Additional Details 

• This announcement is for one, fulltime, permanent, SEIU represented, OHA Ombudsperson - bilingual (Classification: Program Analyst 2 based in Portland, Oregon. 

• This is a hybrid/remote position. “Review Section 4: Working Conditions” in the position description (linked above) for more information. 

• Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment. 

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page. 

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process. 

• This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position. 

• We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration. 

Contact Information 
Recruiter: Barry Lein 
Email: [email protected] 
Phone (text friendly): 503-440-6484 

Helpful Links & Resources 

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources | What You Need to Know to Get the Job 

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class – including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation – and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.  

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.