Applied Public Policy Graduate Fellow- MassHealth Finance Team

The Applied Public Policy Graduate Fellowship, under the direction of the Executive Director of Workplace Equity and Inclusion or Designee, offers a unique opportunity for currently enrolled graduate students and recent master’s or doctoral graduates to gain hands-on experience in health and human services policy, financing, research, and service delivery.

This fellowship, lasting up to two years, places Fellows within the Massachusetts state health and human services agency (MassHealth), where they will contribute to meaningful projects that require advanced analytical, research, and communication skills.

This is a hybrid position requiring Fellows to work on-site at the MassHealth office in Boston two days per week. Remote work requires a private, secure space with reliable internet and adherence to data privacy standards.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the two-year program duration. Work authorization must extend beyond the host institution of the applicant’s current or previous degree program.

The Fellow will be assigned to the MassHealth Finance Team:

The MassHealth Finance team manages approximately $23B in annual spending to ensure sustainable, high quality health coverage for nearly 2 million low income and disabled residents. The team oversees budgeting and forecasting, federal Medicaid financing, hospital payment rates, and financial planning in support of alternative payment models and delivery system reform.

The APP Graduate Fellow will:

• Analyze fiscal impacts of legislative, regulatory, and policy changes/proposals by using financial models to assess impacts of various scenarios and outcomes, and participate in rate-setting and risk-sharing processes for relevant programs.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of MassHealth enrollment, utilization, fiscal impacts and spending trends and support synthetization and presentation of findings.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from internal and external stakeholders including other MassHealth units, other state agencies, and public and private entities.

Key competencies of the Fellow should include:

• Master’s degree in a related field and 2 years’ experience working in a finance, analytical, or program capacity.
• Knowledge of Excel and experience analyzing and managing large datasets.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Structured thinking and ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional and matrixed environment

• →Perform complex executive and administrative tasks with independence, prioritization, and decision-making.

• →Utilizing evidence-based methodologies, conduct advanced research to support the development of innovative health and human services initiatives, policies, and departmental objectives.

• →Coordinate and participate in stakeholder engagement activities to gather input and build partnerships that inform policy development.

• →Perform in-depth data analyses, create comprehensive reports, and develop visualizations to communicate findings clearly and effectively.

• →Manage and implement project tasks efficiently, ensuring completion within established timelines and maintaining regular communication with supervisors and mentors regarding progress.

• →Participate in professional development, networking, and educational activities, and contribute to knowledge-sharing efforts within the fellowship cohort and the broader organization.

• →Ensure compliance with all data privacy and security requirements, maintaining confidentiality and upholding organizational standards in all work environments.

• →Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support MassHealth's mission and departmental goals.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's Level Degree (or Master’s Degree Candidate with 21+ Credits earned); Applicants must have completed their master’s degree, or may be a currently enrolled graduate student with at least 21 earned credits.

• Advanced analytical and communication skills

• Strong attention to detail and ability to synthesize information from diverse sources.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard office tools.

• Reliability and ability to set consistent work hours.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Earned Doctorate, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies Applicants may have completed their master’s degree, or doctoral coursework, Certificate of Advanced Graduates Studies (CAGS), or doctoral degree, or be in the final semester of their master’s or CAGS, or in the final year of their doctoral or other advanced degree coursework.

• Experience working at the intersection of health care and social services.

• Familiarity with Massachusetts health care and/or social services sectors.

• Background in policy design, data analysis, or project implementation.