Research Consultant, Medicaid Reforms

Salary: $33.13 - $54.01 Hourly Location : Salt Lake County, UT Job Type: Full Time Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 46362 Agency: 250 Health & Human Services Opening Date: 09/11/2025 Closing Date: 9/29/2025 11:59 PM Mountain FLSA: Exempt Recruiter: Angie Rhodes, [email protected] # of Openings: 1 Schedule Code: TL - Time Limited - This is a career service exempt at will position. Background Check: You must successfully pass a criminal history check. Career Mobility: This position may be filled as a career mobility. Location: Cannon Health Building288 North 1460 WestSalt Lake City UT 84116 The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Cannon Health Building is proud to be a tobacco free campus. Schedule Code Description: This position is career service exempt (schedule TL) that may convert to career service (schedule B) in the future. Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details. EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, dial 711 or TTY: 800-346-4128.

Job Description

The Division of Integrated Healthcare (DIH), Utah Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a highly skilled and strategic Research Consultant III to provide critical project design, advisory, and implementation support for the statewide implementation of the H.R. 1 Medicaid provisions. Reporting to the Project Director, this position will be a primary contributor to the operational design and policy development of the new initiatives, ensuring that strategies are well-researched, compliant, and poised for successful execution. This successful candidate will play a pivotal role and be a key resource in transforming federal requirements into actionable, state-level programs. This position may be filled as a Career Mobility if you are a current DHHS employee. Experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, or project management, preferably in a public health or government setting.
• Demonstrated experience in translating federal regulations or legislation into state-level policy and operational procedures.
• Experience working in a project-based environment, with a proven track record of supporting a project from design through implementation.

Why work for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services? In addition to the rich the State of Utah offers, the department offers:

• On-site fitness center, for a minimal membership fee
• UTA Eco Pass, at a discounted monthly rate
• Teleworking opportunities with a minimum 2 office days per week beginning 04/2024.
• On-site day care center at the Cannon Health Building with First Steps Day Care - contact for rates and availability, 385-382-4012 or

For more information on the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, please click If offered this position, your employment will be contingent upon passing a background check and review. There will be no cost to you for this check. This check will include fingerprinting, which will be available at various DHHS locations for your convenience. Fingerprinting will be completed prior to your first day of employment. You may review the policy by clicking here. If offered this position, your employment will be contingent upon passing a background check and drug testing. There will be no cost to you for these checks. This check will include fingerprinting, which will be available at various DHHS locations for your convenience and drug testing at a facility close to your location. Fingerprinting will be completed prior to your first day of employment.

Responsibilities

Project Design & Development:

• Proactively research and analyze federal guidance and best practices from other states to inform the design of new programs and policies.
• Translate federal legislation into actionable program rules and operational workflows for a variety of H.R. 1 provisions (e.g., community engagement, redeterminations, etc.).
• Identify potential policy gaps or unintended consequences of proposed designs and provide recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop comprehensive project plans for specific initiatives, including defining project scope, deliverables, and key milestones.

Advisory & Strategic Support:

• Serve as a key advisor to the Project Director on strategic and operational decisions related to H.R. 1 implementation.
• Prepare and deliver policy briefs, memos, and presentations that synthesize research findings and provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
• Facilitate workgroup sessions with cross-functional teams to design and refine project components, ensuring all stakeholder feedback is integrated.
• Monitor the project's progress and proactively advise leadership on potential barriers, risks, and operational concerns that may impact project timelines or goals.

Implementation & Operational Support:

• Provide direct support to implementation teams by drafting business requirements, policy manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new processes.
• Act as a liaison between policy, IT, and operational teams to ensure a shared understanding of project goals and requirements.
• Assist in the creation of communication materials, training content, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Support the successful transition of new programs into operational status, including providing ongoing technical and policy support to front-line staff.

Reporting & Communication

• Assist the Project Director in preparing executive-level briefings and reports on implementation progress for the Executive Steering Committee.
• Document and track key project decisions, action items, and issues to ensure a clear record of project governance.
• Communicate project status and key updates to internal and external stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.

Qualifications

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify potential policy gaps and operational risks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear policy memos, presentations, and reports for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to facilitate workgroups and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in project management tools and a strong understanding of project management principles.
• Knowledge of federal and state Medicaid programs and policy.

Supplemental Information

• This position may be filled as a Career Mobility if you are a current DHHS employee.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• Effective July 1, 2021, State of Utah Employees must either reside in Utah or be in the process of relocating to Utah within 30 days of their start date.
• This position may currently be a hybrid of both in-office and remote work days. Please note, a position's eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion, at any time, and for any reason.

Benefits: The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page: To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click FMLA General Notice: (right click + open link in new tab) (clic derecho + abrir en una pestaña nueva?) 01 Your answers to the questions on this posting must be supported by the duties, experience, andinformation listed in your profile's work and education history, not your resume. Please select "YES" to indicate you understand the validity of your claims will be based upon information contained within your application, not your resume. Unsubstantiated claims, exclusion of information, or incomplete answers may result in the disqualification of your application or of the question. Entering "see resume" will be considered an incomplete answer.

• Yes

02 Please indicate how you heard about this specific job posting.

• State of Utah job site (www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah)
• Referred by a Friend or Family
• Indeed
• Other External Job Board or Site
• LinkedIn
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• DWS job website (www.jobs.utah.gov)
• Advertisement (Digital Ad, Billboard, Print, etc.)
• Professional Network (Association, Membership, Work Colleague)
• University Network (Handshake, School Job Board, Career Center, etc.)
• Contacted by a Recruiter
• Career or Job Fair
• Internship
• Interviewed for different position
• Internal communications (Agency/Division, etc.)
• Other (not listed above)

03 In applying for this position, I understand that any offer of employment would be contingent upon me successfully completing a background screening as per the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Background Screening Policy and that my start date might change if the background check is not back by the original start date. . Link to the policy can be found in the job description.

• Yes

04 This position may be filled as a Career Mobility. Are you a current employee of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)?

• Yes
• No

05 Please indicate your years of experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, or project management, preferably in a Medicaid, public health, or government setting.

• No experience
• Less than 3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5-7 years
• More than 7 years

06 Please briefly describe your experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, or project management. Please emphasize Medicaid experience. 07 Please indicate your years of experience in translating federal regulations or legislation into state-level Medicaid policy and operational procedures.

• No experience
• Less than 3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5-7 years
• More than 7 years

08 Please briefly describe your experience in translating federal regulations or legislation into state-level Medicaid policy and operational procedures. Required Question Apply tot his job Apply To this Job