Oregon Health Authority Principal Ombuds (Consultant Advisor 1)

Initial Posting Date:

08/11/2025

Application Deadline:

09/21/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

8,907 to 12,522

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Oregon Health Authority Principal Ombuds (Consultant Advisor 1)

Job Description:

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today!  - [Oregon Health Authority Principal Ombuds/Consultation Advisor 1]

This is a permanent position.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis at two and four weeks of posting August 22nd and September 5th). All applicants who meet the application posting deadline of September 21st. will be fully considered and evaluated for the program. 

The Oregon Health Authority Principal Ombuds is enabled through Oregon Revised Statutes 414.712. The Oregon Health Authority is required to provide ombuds services for people who receive publicly funded health services. To do this, OHA’s Ombuds Program advocates on behalf of OHP members for:

• Access to care,
• Quality of care, and
• Channeling member experiences into recommendations for systems, policy and program improvement.

The OHA Principal Ombuds is responsible for ensuring agency implementation, through the Ombuds Program, of ORS 414.712.

The OHA Principal Ombuds ensures all individuals receiving publicly funded medical benefits have access to Agency provided advocacy through the Ombuds program and acts enterprise wide to center the Oregon Health Authority’s operational implementation, policy, legislative and initiatives in the voices, experiences and input of those receiving benefits. This is essential to agency values of ensuring all actions work towards the elimination of health inequities and co-creation with community.

The OHA Principal Ombuds, as required by legislation for the OHA Ombuds Program reports to the Governor, the Oregon Health Policy Board and other Agency and statewide leadership at least quarterly about Ombuds services provided and advises leadership on centering equity and quality of and access to publicly funded health services within Medicaid funded programs. These recommendations direct beneficiary and publicly centered legislative, agency and statewide actions that improve how services are provided to people in Oregon. Currently, almost one third of the state’s population receives Medicaid services; Medicaid benefits, services and supports are the primary focus of Ombuds advocacy. The OHA Ombuds Consultant is responsible for developing policy, program and administrative improvements that address identified urgent, emergent or system wide barriers to appropriate, timely access.

This position supports the OHA’s mission, vision, and core values, particularly equity, in the execution of the agency’s duties. This position utilizes cross agency collaboration and co-creation, empathy, strong interpersonal and cultural humility skills, conflict resolution, and analytical investigation to develop strategic OHA Ombuds advocacy priorities. As part of the Ombuds Program, this position supports and mentors the Ombuds team for resolution of case concerns and policy improvements based off case work; identification of and action to address critical situations; and provides leadership on a statewide level. This position leads with humility, kindness and collaborative approaches to bring about systems change to center responsive and co-created policies and programs for those served. This position executes all elements of the OHA Ombuds Program. This includes:

1. Communication on behalf of the OHA Ombuds Program internally and externally.

2. Ensuring excellence in culturally responsive and member centered OHP / Medicaid recipient customer service.

3. Successful delivery of written quarterly, six-month and annual OHA Ombuds Reports.

4. Reporting formally to the Oregon Health Policy Board, OHA Director, Governor’s office, OHA and Oregon Department of Human Services Leadership and OHA Ombuds Advisory Council.

5. Meeting regularly with agency directors and leadership to share experiences of those receiving publicly administered health benefits, inform beneficiary-centered policies and advocate for improvements.

6. Providing agency leadership for person-centered responsiveness.

7. Identifying, learning from and leading actions to support systems improvements based on the experiences of those receiving publicly administered health benefits.

8. Incorporating innovation, advocacy and client experience into agency work to identify better and best practice for meeting the needs of the people we serve.

9. Mentoring and developing person centered advocates within the agency. Mentoring Ombuds on case practices, complex case coordination, and advancement of Medicaid systems improvements; and

10. Stewardship of Ombuds Program resources and exercising business acumen for Ombuds Program sustainability, integrity, and exceptional customer service.

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

You can review previous OHA Ombuds Reports and learn more about the program here.

The AA Salary Range for this position is between $8,097.00 to $12,522.00 per month.

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the 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.

What We Are Looking For

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

Consultant Advisor 1

Seven years of executive-level policy development or foundational experience directly related to the position being recruited; OR
 

An equivalent combination of education and experience

Special Requirements: To be hired, you must have a criminal record that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment.

Desired Attributes:

1. Consumer centered Medicaid experience and deep understanding of Medicaid in Oregon or nationally. Medicaid knowledge and experience, particularly from a consumer Medicaid perspective required. Experience and/or knowledge of Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon (CCOs) and/or Managed Care Organizations (MCO), particularly elevation of consumer (member) voice and experience within these models, Medicaid complaints and grievances, and/or professional or lived experience working, advocating and/or navigating Oregon’s Medicaid system.

• Demonstrated experience working within Oregon Medicaid to advance health equity preferred.

2. Client-Centered Advocacy and Equity Commitment
Deep dedication to ensuring equitable access to high-quality, culturally responsive health services for all publicly funded medical benefit recipients, with a focus on eliminating health inequities and centering the voices of those served. Demonstrated ability to steward relationships with diverse groups.

• Cultural humility and conflict resolution. Demonstrated cultural awareness and cultural humility. Demonstrated skills in organizational collaboration, alternative dispute resolution and/or relationship-based approaches to resolving conflict and centering OHP members and equity advancements.
• Individuals with lived and/or professional experience working directly with diverse populations, specifically racially, ethnically, culturally, linguistically, gender- and ability- diverse community members preferred.

3. Collaborative and Cross-Agency Partnership Building
Skilled at fostering collaboration and co-creation across agencies and with community partners to drive policy, legislative, and program improvements that reflect the needs and experiences of Medicaid beneficiaries. Ability to work effectively within existing policies, rules and legislation for member-centered advocacy and elevate for systems improvement and change policies, rules and legislation that need improvement to center Medicaid beneficiary access to and quality of care.

4. Strategic Analytical and Investigative Skills
Demonstrated ability to translate individual experience into systems improvement and advocacy, particularly within Medicaid and/or other health settings.  Strong capacity for analytical investigation to identify systemic barriers and develop strategic advocacy priorities, providing actionable recommendations to advance equity, quality, and access to health services.

• Demonstrated experience in fields such as social work, public health administration, communication, psychology, law, conflict resolution, or organizational change focused on social justice, diversity and inclusion, universal access and the ADA, dismantling institutional privilege and institutional racism, social determinants of health and equity preferred.

5. Effective Communication and Reporting
Written and oral communication skills with ability to persuade and to communicate complex topics in understandable ways. Effective communication demonstrating diplomacy, cultural humility and awareness in all communications with coworkers, OHA leadership, CCO staff, OHP members, and other members of the public. Expertise in communicating clearly and persuasively both internally and externally about complex topics in understandable ways. This includes delivering comprehensive, timely reports to the Governor, Oregon Health Policy Board, and other leadership bodies.  Previous reports are available on the OHA Ombuds Reports webpage.

• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural communication skills preferred.

6. Previous Ombuds experience

Previous Ombuds experience, particularly in an advocacy based, health based, and/or government based Ombuds Program preferred. Ability to bring and implement Ombuds standards of practice to the OHA Ombuds Program utilizing relevant Ombuds Associations including the U.S. Ombudsman Association, the International Ombuds Association, and the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution.

• Resource Stewardship and Program Management. Strong business acumen and responsibility for sustainable program operations, ensuring integrity, exceptional customer service, efficient stewardship of Ombuds Program resources, and maintaining the integrity and autonomy of the Ombuds Program.
• Leadership and Mentorship Excellence. Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of Ombuds advocates with humility and kindness, supporting case resolution, complex case coordination, and fostering professional development to advance Medicaid systems improvements centered in OHP members and advancing equity.
• Customer service and case work management skills. Case management or advocacy experience, preferably with populations most impacted by health inequities. Ability to manage multiple tasks and provide a trauma-informed approached and person-centered approach to advocacy for individuals facing extreme frustrations with the health system.

7. Program Evaluation and Microsoft Suite

Must be proficient in Microsoft Suite tools.

• Power BI experience preferred
• Experience in quantitative, qualitative and evaluation methodology preferred.

Application Guidance

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume, and cover letter.

• Complete the online application
• Upload Resume
• Upload Cover Letter
• Applicants who fail to upload resume and cover letter will not be considered
• Resumes, cover letters and all other documents must all be uploaded at one time. When uploading a resume, please upload any other documents in the same area/field. Applicants who fail to upload resume and cover letter will not be considered.
• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.
• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them.
• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application.
• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

Reminders:

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job!
• This announcement is for 1 (one), Full-time, Permanent, Managerial Services, Oregon Health Authority Principal Ombuds (Classification: Consultant Advisor 1 position based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is a Hybrid Optional position. Please check SECTION 4. WORKING CONDITIONS, of the position description linked above to review more details regarding the details surrounding the working conditions.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline. For questions about the announcement, or if you require an alternate format to apply, please contact the Senior Recruiter Scott Lee at: scott.h.lee@oha.oregon.gov 971-372-1972.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

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 medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.