Operations Research Analyst

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)

• Resume

(Please type responses in a Word document and attach to application. HELPFUL HINT: When attaching a document, you much 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.)

The overall purpose of this position is to prepare expenditure forecasts, establishing a methodology and dynamic models to accurately forecast expenditures that will aid the department in monitoring, and managing its budget. Responsible for tracking all changes in the forecast models: manage DSS reports that provided the data for forecasting models, reimbursement rates, exceptions, policy, and enrollment. Coordinates and leads monthly projection meetings with Divisions each month. Prepare monthly enrollment data charts by various categories for publication on Department website each month. As needed respond to information requests related to expenditure or enrollment information from Federal agencies; non-profit organizations; research organizations and others so as to respond on a timely and accurate basis.

Major Duties or Responsibilities:



Statistical and Forecasting Analysis

• Establishes a methodology and dynamic models to accurately forecast expenditures that will aid the department in monitoring the level of risk that programs are staying within the department’s budget limitations. Coordinates and leads reimbursement projection meetings each month.
• Maintains consistency between claims reports such as the 901 report and the expenditure forecasting models.
• Reports monthly data statistics to key departmental personnel.
• Researches and conducts fiscal analysis of programs, relating to areas such as rate setting, revenue maximization and refinancing to ensure equitability, financial stability, and determining when changes in these areas need to occur.
• Assists departmental divisions prepares cost reconciliations and statistical reports, often times performing actuarial based analysis.
• Responds to requests for Medicaid related expenditure/enrollment information from Federal agency’s; non-profit organizations; researches organizations and others so as to respond on a timely and accurate basis. Establishes a repository of responses provided as a resource for other department staff and to insure consistency in future responses to reoccurring or similar requests.
• Leads discussions and analysis of special issues and problems related to areas such as cost allocation, federal and state grants and programs using knowledge of GAAP, cost principles, state statutes, and federal regulations. Conducts analysis to identify options, performs validation and testing of the options to determine their feasibility and present findings to assist in the resolution of outstanding issues and related problems.

Policy Analysis

• Determines the effect of current policies, proposed policies, or program changes by preparing reports for top management. Analysis will compile and evaluate proposed, considering impact on the Department, other state agencies, other payers, federal government, clients, providers and the public. Reports will define the problem, summarize the analysis, list all possible solutions and the pros and cons of each. Present report to top management to be used in making policy decisions affecting major programs within the department.
• Assists departmental divisions with advanced policy analysis when necessary such as waiver cost neutrality studies to meet federal and state requirements and to ensure expenditures are not exceeding limits.
• Maintains knowledge and stay abreast of developments in the field of public health and human services budget, funding, statistical analysis methodologies and the economic influences that affect these programs. Monitors essential economic, federal and state developments through the analysis of information obtained from various sources such as federal, state or other private/public sources and publications; after analysis determine the need for and prepare plans of action as developments occur.
• Considers a broad spectrum of factors, such as public and legislative relations, public policy position, effect on other divisions and economic impact when making decisions or recommendations relating to projects.

Information Systems and Database Management

• Develops and reports monthly program enrollment reports that correspond with the CHIMES eligibility system and reporting. Creates visual aids such as frequency distributions, time series charts, histograms, pie charts, etc. for enrollment reports and presentations. Creates PDF and excel spreadsheets of enrollment data and charts for posting to department’s website.
• Uses the department's information systems to extract information for ad-hoc eligibility and expenditure reporting. Data will be summarized using data base interface tool (Query Path) or freehand SQL. Provides summary information and other Medicaid analysis to Departmental staff and policy makers. This includes utilizing software packages such as SAS for advanced mathematical computations and statistical modeling applications such as linear trend analysis and regression analysis.
• Ensures the department’s Medicaid expenditure and eligibility reporting needs are met on a timely basis and are accurate.
• Ensures integrity and proper system function of Medicaid data system. Documents problems or enhancement needs; identifies interface, reporting, and data transfer issues through programming code analysis, query reporting, and results testing. Coordinates with systems development personnel to ensure necessary changes are identified, developed, and implemented
• Standardizes and performs merging on multiple relational databases, allowing data from separate sources to be combined and modeled together. This is especially important when data is warehoused in separate databases.
• Responsible for monitoring the 901 expenditures report and working with (ACS) vendor to make any changes necessary each month to keep the reports up to date and accurate. Periodically tests the reconciling the 901 report back to expenditure in the claims decision support system.

Physical and Environmental Demands : Work is performed in a normal office environment with keyboarding responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Required for the first day of work:

• Knowledge of the theory and process in policy development and ability to analyze how policy decisions affect services.
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial, and fiscal processes and procedures and keeps abreast of changes.
• Knowledge of computer data management and data network systems.
• Knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures for estimation of costs associated with a project.
• Knowledge of the reimbursement methodologies for DPHHS programs.
• Skill in appraising, examining, or scrutinizing processes, ideas, projects, or procedures.
• Skill in coordinating and facilitating internal and external work groups.
• Skill in applying mathematics, economics, and principles of accounting. Including the application of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and econometrics.
• Skill in utilizing analytical techniques.
• Skill in translation of data, data tables, and statistical information.
• Skill in consulting or providing assistance to others.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to a problem.
• Ability to analyze a project’s needs and requirements, develop a work plan, and complete the project.

Qualifications:


Required Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Three years of job related work experience.
• Other combinations of directly related education and experience may be considered on a case by case basis.

Eligible Training Assignment:

54,579.20