Director, American Indian Health (04031)

To be considered for any DPHHS Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position.

Materials Required of Applicants:

(To be considered in this pool, please submit the following)

• 
  Cover letter
  
• 
  Resume
  

(Please type responses in a Word document and attach to application. HELPFUL HINT: When attaching a document you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. Please do not attach more than requested. If you have more than 25 attachments in the system you will need to email these to: hhshumanresources@mt.gov . Failure to attach the required material will conclude in an incomplete application. You must also keep those relevant boxes checked once you submit your application; if you uncheck the box with an active application it will delete the attachment.)



First review of applications will occur on June 20, 2018.



Job Overview: This position is located in the Director’s Office of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in Helena, Montana. The position has been created via Governor’s Executive Order 06-2015 to address health equity disparities of American Indian people in Montana. This position will coordinate activities within DPHHS, and with Tribal health stakeholders to expand understanding of what factors contribute to health for Montana Indians. This position will advocate for an “Indian health in all Department policies” approach with health equity as a goal, and will partner with Indian communities to create their own healthy future. The position will provide input on strategic planning, guide efforts by DPHHS Divisions to incorporate health equity in all programs, coordinate with Tribal and Urban Health Centers and develop an action plan for the Department.

Major Duties or Responsibilities:

Research factors that support Montana Indian health.

• Identify potential external partners including Tribal health stakeholders and organizations that advocate for Indian health.

• Coordinate and facilitate collaboration between DPHHS, Indian Health Service, Tribal health programs, and other stakeholders that generate relevant health data in order to ensure appropriate use of Tribal health data to guide department policy and reduce health disparities.

• Determine the socio-economic factors relevant to the health of American Indian people in Montana.

• Work with Tribal health stakeholders to identify key health-related issues and strategies to address them.

• Work with DPHHS divisions to identify programs that address identified issues.

• Strategize with DPHHS management on the development or modification of programs/services to address identified health disparities and determinants.

• Strategize with Tribal health Stakeholders on community efforts that can address identified health disparities and determinants.

• Research other states to gather information on implementation of an “Indian Health Equity in All Programs Policy” department-wide.

Develop and oversee the implementation of a plan incorporating health equity in all DPHHS programs.

• Determine, in conjunction with tribes and urban Indian representatives, individual goals and objectives, with an emphasis on reducing disparities in health insurance and Medicaid coverage and access to care; and reducing disparities in population health by increasing the availability and effectiveness of targeted community-based care coordination and delivery.

• Facilitate an appointed group of senior staff from DPHHS Divisions to develop and pursue the above goals and objectives.

• Support DPHHS Staff with expertise in public health and epidemiology, planning and research, grant writing, and/or other skills, whose time will be dedicated to furthering the work of the Office.

• Coordinate with other state agencies to identify actions that can be taken to implement the above goals and objectives.

• Create and launch a Medicaid enrollment outreach plan.

• Coordinate the development of performance measures especially targeting enrollment of Native Americans in Medicaid coverage, access to pre-natal care in the first trimester, cardiovascular disease prevention and tobacco use, substance use prevention and treatment, diabetes prevention/treatment, and clinical preventive services (e.g. cancer screening and immunization). Coordinate collection of appropriate data, and monitor attainment of plan objectives.

• Encourage all DPHHS programs to include a cultural component in program development and delivery.

• Research funding sources available to assist tribes in strengthening their capacity to improve the health of their members.

• Report regularly to the Director of DPHHS and Tribal health Stakeholders on progress in the reduction of Indian health disparities.

Technical Assistance

• Support the work of the Montana Native Youth Suicide Reduction Advisory Council.

• Facilitate and oversee efforts on the part of DPHHS Divisions to provide effective technical assistance that allows Tribal health departments, Urban Indian Health Centers, and others serving Montana’s American Indian population to better understand and access relevant state programs.

• Serve as the conduit of each individual tribe’s perspective to state program staff to ensure focused efforts.

• Represents the Department at statewide workgroups, conferences, and other activities and ensures appropriate collaboration for success.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

The position works in a typical office environment with the potential for significant overnight travel. Normal travel is approximately 20%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Required for the first day of work:

• Knowledge of program development and strategic planning.

• Knowledge of the commonalities and differences between the Tribes in Montana.

• Knowledge of grants and contracts administration.

• Working knowledge of Tribal health issues and available services.

• Ability to work with, establish and maintain credibility and to develop and maintain strong working relationships with tribes and their Tribal leadership.

• Ability to work together within the agency, lead discussions, and facilitate discussion on policy changes.

• Ability to provide leadership in complex and highly sensitive situations.

• Possess a strong connection to Native Identity.

• Ability to analyze data and develop approaches and appropriate strategies to solve identified problems.

• Ability to act on opportunities and find the most effective way to achieve goals.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.


Qualifications:


Required Minimum Education and Experience:



• Bachelor’s degree in public health, human service, public administration, Native American studies or related field.

• Five years of experience working with Tribal governments, understanding the commonalities and differences among Montana tribes, understanding the commonalities and differences between Indian people living on reservations and in urban settings, establishing and maintaining relationships with Tribes, acquiring and/or managing grants to Tribal governments or American Indian communities, and leading/facilitating major projects.

• Other combinations of directly related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred: Experience in health insurance, Indian Health Services, Medicaid, other health care programs or the health care industry.


Eligible Training Assignment:

59,529.60