Staff Attorney I - Exempt

Overview

The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) is seeking a Staff Attorney with at least four years of experience. 
DVHA administers Vermont's Medicaid plan and oversees Vermont's Health Insurance Exchange. Staff Attorneys report directly to DVHA's General Counsel and provide legal advice and guidance to all of the department's units. These include public-facing units that primarily handle member appeals and Medicaid enrollment, clinical units that conduct review of member claims, and units focused on payment and program integrity. Staff Attorneys may also be called upon to partner with colleagues across the state or within the Agency of Human Services to accomplish department and agency priorities. 

Staff in this role can expect to take on a wide variety of work such as conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, negotiating agreements, processing public records responses, engaging in rulemaking, and helping guide the department on legislative affairs and policy development.

Topic areas include but are not limited to questions of:

• Contracts
• Medicaid law & CMS regulations
• Pharmacy
• Employment
• Public records & open meetings laws
• HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2
• Fraud, waste, & abuse

Salary for this role is determined by the State of Vermont Attorney Pay Plan, in line with the candidate's qualifications and experience. Generous health care, sick/personal/annual leave, and state pension plans are also offered. 

Mission:
The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)'s mission is to improve Vermonters' health and well-being by providing access to high-quality, cost-effective health care. We have identified three priorities that support our mission: Advancing value-based payments, modernizing information technology infrastructure, and operational performance improvement. Our department commits to executing our responsibilities and priorities while adhering to three core values: Transparency, Integrity and Service.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
As part of our values of transparency, integrity, and service, we are committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as part of our person-centered culture. We actively celebrate our colleagues' and future colleagues' different abilities, racial identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported here.

Our State:
Vermont is a "small but mighty" state. We are ranked as one of the top 10 states to raise a family in 2022. We are nationwide leaders for progressive social and educational policies.  We are in Northern New England, 1.5 hours from Montreal and 3.5 hours from Boston. We have beautiful Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and year-round outdoor activities.

Who May Apply

This position, Staff Attorney I - Exempt (Job Requisition #54289), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact Irene Mendez at Irene.Mendez@vermont.gov.

Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

AHS BACKGROUND CHECKS:  Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position.  In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a member in good standing of the Vermont bar, or eligible to be admitted to the Vermont bar within six months of hire. 
• Must have at least four years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Candidates who do not have direct experience with all of the department's topic areas are encouraged to apply.

Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate an ability to quickly grasp new and complex areas of law and proficiency in providing direct counsel to a multifaceted group of clients. 

Equal Opportunity Employer