Regulatory Analyst
$110k - $123k/yr+ 401(k) match + Safe harbor contributions
Mid
Bachelor's
Sacramento, CA, USA
HybridHybrid; requires 1–2 days per week in the downtown Sacramento office. Occasional overnight travel.
Business & Strategy
About the job
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, or a related field.
- At least 3 years of experience in the regulatory, legislative, or political arena; a health care association; or a relevant state department.
- Experience researching and analyzing legislation, regulations, or public policy issues and preparing written summaries, reports, or advocacy support materials.
- Strong writing skills and the ability to concisely communicate evaluations and recommendations on complex policy issues.
- Ability to multi-task and manage time and changing priorities effectively.
- Working knowledge of state regulatory and legislative processes.
Responsibilities
- Develop strategies and advocate on regulatory issues that advance CDA’s policy and advocacy agenda, under the direction of the Senior Director of Government Affairs.
- Serve as liaison and advocate to administration and departments, including DMHC, DOI, DHCS, and Covered California.
- Provide analysis and expertise on third-party payer issues, including public programs such as Medi-Cal and commercial payers.
- Develop and help shape the association’s regulatory, payer, and dental insurance positions in partnership with legislative, policy, and legal staff.
- Serve as CDA’s regulatory liaison to state agencies and departments for dental insurance programs and plan issues, primarily with DHCS, DMHC, and DOI.
- Develop and maintain a formal process for tracking regulations, provider bulletins, and plan letters.
- Collaborate with legislative, policy, and legal teams to develop the association’s advocacy positions and responses.
- Support the legislative team in developing positions and advocacy strategy, including reviewing introduced and amended legislation, recommending positions, and supporting the drafting of bill amendments, letters, and position papers.
- Support the legislative team in monitoring and strategizing on state budget and other fiscal actions relating to dental health care policy.
- Attend, monitor, and present written and verbal testimony at public forums, regulatory hearings, and meetings, advocating for association priorities and interests.
- Attend and present at conferences on behalf of the association.
- Provide research analysis to help shape policy and arguments in support of CDA’s agenda.
- Prepare analyses, articles, reports, and fact sheets for internal and external use, including CDA publications and websites.
- Develop a network of relationships with staff of regulatory agencies, allied associations, and other external organizations.
- Monitor, review, and weigh in on relevant national dental standards, collaborating with CDA policy, legislative, and legal departments to develop the association’s response.
- Serve as a staff resource for the Government Affairs Council and other internal councils, committees, or workgroups addressing specific third-party payer policy issues.
- Serve as a member of the public affairs team and collaborate on interdepartmental efforts to achieve goals.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
- Health policy experience, particularly dental policy.
- Regulatory or legislative contacts and relationships.
- Ability to translate association policy into legislative and regulatory proposals.
About the company
The California Dental Association is a not-for-profit group that represents California’s organized dentistry and supports its members. It serves more than 27,000 dentists by providing educational programs, expert guidance, and practical resources to help them at every career stage. It also runs advocacy work and a nonprofit foundation to advance oral health for the public. Its activities include member education, practice support, and legislative lobbying, creating a community where dentists can learn, share, and grow. Compared with others, CDA is the largest state dental association in the American Dental Association and focuses specifically on California through its combined efforts in education, advocacy, and philanthropy. The goal is to help dentists excel in their profession while advancing better oral health for all Californians through policy influence, professional development, and supported practice.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Sacramento, California
Founded
1870
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- August 2026 budget protected Medi-Cal Dental funding through July 1, 2027.
- Dean Frieders joined May 26, 2026, strengthening legal and regulatory execution.
- CDA is expanding workforce pipelines through Smile Crew CA and grant-funded rotations.
What critics are saying
- Delta Dental litigation ended badly in September 2025, weakening contract leverage.
- Medi-Cal Dental cuts return July 1, 2027, if budget politics sour.
- Persistent assistant shortages threaten practices, membership value, and CDA relevance statewide.
What makes California Dental Association unique
- Since 1870, CDA speaks for 27,000 California dentists, not regulators or insurers.
- CDA won SB 351 and SB 386 in 2025, hardening practice autonomy.
- CDA pairs advocacy with tools like the 2026 RDA preceptor program.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Parental Leave
- Wellness Program
- Professional Development Budget
- Training Programs
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Pet Insurance