Policy Specialist - Behavioral Health

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Policy Specialist - Behavioral Health

$64,604.80 - $118,123.20 / Posted Thru: 8/22/2025

Location: Hybrid Lansing, MI - Must work and Live in the state of Michigan

Purpose: The individual in this position will serve as the Health Services behavioral health policy integration resource for cross collaborative projects and activities, supporting diverse stakeholders, workgroups, governing bodies, and other MDHHS administration efforts. This role is responsible for serving as a key behavioral health policy liaison across Health Service programs and to meet behavioral health systems integration and improvement priorities. Interprets existing and proposed laws, policies, and procedures as they relate to multiple Medicaid areas. Contributes to the development of policies, strategies, practices, and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations and capabilities. Reviews legislative proposals for impact on Health Services programs and policies related to behavioral health integration and recommends positions or course of action.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engage cross-collaborative partnerships and serve as BH policy liaison to advance Health Services programs, strategy development and implementation.
• Evaluate organizational and/or operational needs of the administration and provide programmatic recommendations to management.
• Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate a variety of data for use in program development.
• Design and conduct surveys or special studies to determine program needs and to assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Utilize research and analytical acumen to assess and interpret federal guidance and national best practices to propose, inform development of, and prepare appropriate materials to support related programmatic areas.
• Support applicable governing bodies, workgroups and committees to engage both internal and external partners in program design, implementation and refinement.
• Collaborate with partner departments, agencies, administrations, and organizations to optimize resources, expand engagement and facilitate opportunities for alignment.
• Coordinate and provide leadership support for all aspects of assigned programs, contracts, and/or related grants.
• Develop and implement coordinated program action plans including appropriate financial, reporting, benchmarks, risk assessment considerations.
• Monitor and evaluate progress on all programmatic work plans.
• Function as a team member with the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a team leader by garnering interest and engagement through the implementation of successful collaboration mechanisms.
• Demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve Health Services effectiveness in alignment with assigned programs.
• Serve as subject matter expert and cross agency liaison for behavioral health system integration and improvement efforts

• Serve as key liaison for BH policy expertise and engagement
• Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral health integration and improvement projects
• Represent Health Services strategic priorities in behavioral health workgroups, committees, and other external stakeholder engagement opportunities
• Lead internal Health Services stakeholder engagement around behavioral health integration.

• Maintain positive, strong, and credible professional and interpersonal relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Build partnerships to advance Health Services strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with other administration staff and MDHHS subject matter experts, as appropriate, to assist with coordination of the development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting on programmatic activities.
• Support staff team/contractor collaboration and reinforce standards for quality of work and attention to detail established by leadership.
• Always represent the best interests of MPHI and MDHHS.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: A master's degree in public health, healthcare administration, public policy, public administration, or another related field is required.

Experience: Preferred candidates will have 3+ years of experience in healthcare administration, social/community service administration, public health, community organizing, and/or health and human services policy. Experience in behavioral health policy is preferred.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including facilitating group discussions.
• Ability to process large volumes of information quickly, and apply knowledge in the development of strategy, implementation plans, and programmatic improvements.
• Assess problems, determine solutions and make timely recommendations.
• Effectively develop relationships and partner with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Manage competing priorities with a high degree of organization and discipline.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office-Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word (tests in one or more products may be administered)

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: This position will be located in the Lansing area in a standard office environment. Viewing a CRT or VDT screen 25% to 75% of the time. May require occasional physical effort, including lifting materials and equipment up to 50 pounds. A valid vehicle operator's license to attend off-site meetings, conferences and trainings will be needed.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibilities for others.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS:This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS. The Departmental Specialist will have extended direct contact with MDHHS employees at multiple levels and a diverse set of stakeholders. The individual in this role will function as a key liaison, including the delivery of clear and useful analyses, recommendations, and reports. The quality of the work and the professionalism exhibited by the Departmental Specialist will directly affect the perception of MDHHS among important stakeholders.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

Contact Person/Group	Frequency	Purpose
Supervisor	Daily	Supervision
Internal Partners	As Needed	Collaboration
External Stakeholders	As Needed	Collaboration

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act."

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.