Jobs

Policy Specialist/Policy Analyst* (Job #494963)
Aging & Disability Studies

*Position title will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications.

Overview

The Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is seeking a Policy Specialist or Policy Analyst to join its Aging & Disabilities Studies team. Hilltop conducts research and policy analysis to support health care financing and delivery system reform in Maryland and other states. With access to an extensive onsite data repository that includes Medicaid and Medicare administrative data, hospital discharge data, nursing home assessment data, and all-payer claims data, Hilltop conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform health care payment, program design, monitoring, and evaluation. Widely recognized for its expertise in Medicaid, Hilltop is at the forefront of national efforts to find data-driven solutions to complex problems facing state policymakers as publicly funded health care systems transition to new models that reward quality and value over volume.

Hilltop’s Aging & Disability Studies team works with the Medicaid program and the Developmental Disabilities Administration within the Maryland Department of Health as well as other state agencies to improve access to long-term services and supports (LTSS) and advance new service delivery and financing models for older adults and people with chronic conditions and disabilities. The team also conducts aging and disability research in collaboration with faculty at UMBC and other institutions.

Hilltop seeks professionals with exceptional quantitative research skills, a keen interest in federal and state health policy, and a passion for advancing the health and wellbeing of people and communities through research and analysis.

Responsibilities

The Policy Specialist/Policy Analyst will be responsible for supporting quantitative research and data analytics related to aging and disability and the delivery and financing of LTSS. As a member of the Hilltop Aging & Disabilities Studies team, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

  • For Maryland Medicaid and other state agency clients, conducting statistical analysis, modeling, and advanced analytics using large data sets, including performing data linkages at the individual level (e.g., Medicaid and Medicare administrative data, nursing home assessment data, and/or data from the LTSSMaryland reporting system)
  • Developing and producing operational reports for Maryland Medicaid on program enrollment, provider participation, service utilization and costs, and quality measures
  • Assisting in the development of the Medicaid provider general ledger cost reporting template and related rate setting tasks
  • Assisting with the development of online surveys and data collection tools, data collection, data review, and data aggregation
  • Coordinating or assisting with multi-disciplinary project teams that may include SAS programmers, policy analysts, project management specialists, and other researchers
  • Conducting qualitative analyses, such as research and literature searches on programs in other states, surveys, and stakeholder interviews
  • Preparing reports, memoranda, and meeting minutes; contributing to issue briefs, presentations, and/or articles for peer-reviewed journals
  • Making presentations to public and professional audiences
  • Participating in internal and external meetings
  • Performing other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Policy Specialist

Requires a master’s degree with course work in health services research, public health, public policy/administration, economics, gerontology, health law, or a related discipline. A bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in health services research, public health, public policy/administration, economics, statistical methods, or a related field may be substituted for the master’s degree. Must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and have strong analytical and communications skills (both verbal and written).

Policy Analyst

Requires a master’s degree with course work in health services research, public health, public policy/administration, economics, gerontology, health law, or a related discipline, and one year of relevant experience. A bachelor’s degree with course work in health services research, public health, public policy/administration, economics, research methods, gerontology, or a related discipline and three years of experience with exposure to health services research, public health administration, and/or policy analysis may be substituted for the master’s degree and required experience. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and have strong analytical and communications skills (both verbal and written).

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following professional and interpersonal competencies: a strong interest in conducting research with large data sets; experience with SAS or other statistical software packages; experience with Tableau® or other data visualization packages; a knowledge of publicly funded health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; knowledge of the Affordable Care Act; interest and/or experience in aging and disability; well-honed problem solving skills; demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing to diverse audiences; the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and be flexible in a fast-paced environment; and excellent interpersonal skills.

Personnel Status

Exempt, full-time, grant-funded (Note: This position is grant-funded, wherein employment is contingent upon the renewal of the grant). The salary range is $50,000 to $80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is full-time, offers excellent opportunity for professional growth, and includes the full university benefits package, including tuition remission for qualified candidates. While this position is onsite at The Hilltop Institute’s offices located on the UMBC campus, options for telework are available.

Application

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Send a cover letter (indicating Job #494963), resume, and the contact information for three professional references to the Aging & Disability Studies Search Committee at: https://listings.umbc.edu/cw/en-us/job/494963/policy-specialistpolicy-analyst

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

April 29, 2025