The Government Performance Portfolio

Pew’s Government Performance Work

Pew’s government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.

The portfolio’s work can be traced back to our founders’ early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promoted health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals. Today, we conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions. Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and take into account significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population.

Our teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground. We work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change. In addition, our teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public.

Public Health Data Improvement Project

Pew conducts research, provides technical assistance, and advocates for policies, resources, and public health department practices to enable the rapid and effective use of health care data to advance Americans’ well-being. Specifically, Pew works to:

1. Advocate for federal and state policies requiring that electronic health record systems automatically send standardized patient data to health agencies.
2. Build the evidence base to demonstrate the benefits of improving electronic data sharing for public health.
3. Research and share best practices to help public health agencies analyze and effectively use health care data.

Position Overview

The senior officer serves as the lead expert on federal policies and efforts that advance the public health data improvement project’s goals. Reporting to the project director, the senior officer provides expertise and research to drive improvements in federal policies and initiatives that support the development of a more robust public health data infrastructure. The senior officer oversees and conducts research; leads a strategy to change federal rules and requirements around electronic sharing of public health data, and works closely with the project director, public health data improvement, to build and engage a coalition of external stakeholders.

Located in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, this position is eligible for up to 60% telework.

Responsibilities

1. Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.
2. Lead execution of Pew’s strategy to promote changes to federal policy to enhance public health data exchange, including working with experts to develop measures to address the extent to which health care providers electronically report data with public health agencies and evaluate the quality of such data; lead efforts to identify additional public and non-governmental policy levers to improve public health data sharing.
3. Provide subject matter expertise on federal policy around requirements – including tracking federal policy proposals and drafting public comments – related to electronic health record (EHR) systems and their use among health care providers (e.g., hospitals, doctors’ offices, laboratories, and other health care facilities) to report data to state and local public health agencies.
4. Build and engage a coalition of EHR vendors, health care systems, public health advocates, and other key stakeholders and maintain relationships with federal officials (including the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
5. Work closely with leadership to develop, manage, and implement federally-focused efforts that further the project’s current goals and position it for potential future work.
6. Develop and present a variety of written documents and presentations that effectively convey complex information to lay, policymaker, media, and other stakeholder audiences.
7. Work with colleagues in legal, government relations, research review and support, and communications to ensure (1) strict compliance with all federal, state and local lobbying and ethics laws; (2) the project’s work meets the highest research standards; and (3) project communications materials follow organizational processes and style guidelines.
8. Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Experience developing and managing productive relationships with consultants, partners, and others. Excellent listening skills. Experience collaborating with stakeholders in government, academia, and nonprofits.
• Demonstrated time and project management skills, including thinking creatively, juggling multiple priorities, adjusting to changing circumstances, organizing time, and remaining attentive to details.
• Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects that require support across the political spectrum.
• Applies effective analytical skills to synthesize large amounts of information quickly and summarize findings effectively, identify issues and opportunities or gaps in research and policy analysis, and develop ideas for advancing work based on findings.
• Strategic, analytical, and communication (verbal and written) skills applied to public health data exchange issues.
• Operates as a team player and collaborates with staff to help prioritize and multi-task appropriately; independently delivers high-quality products in a timely manner, able to think creatively and work proactively with colleagues to ensure that they are addressed.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; an advanced degree in public health or public policy preferred.
• Generally, ten years of applicable experience with a particular focus on public health, health information technology, federal health policy, or another relevant field strongly preferred.

Travel

This position requires occasional travel to meetings and conferences.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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