Data Specialist III - Updated

About The Happier Life Project (THLP)

The Happier Life Project is a recovery community organization dedicated to supporting diverse communities in their journey toward healing and recovery. Our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use issues, and mental health challenges. Through peer‑led recovery support, education, and advocacy, we work to reduce stigma, shift perspectives, and create a future where recovery is normalized, valued, and embraced as a transformative journey.

Position: Data Specialist III
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA (Hybrid/On-site as needed)
Status: Full-Time, Grant Funded
Compensation: $79,000 - $89,000
Reports To: CEO

The Data Specialist III leads the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of THLP’s electronic health record (EHR) and data systems. This role ensures that data infrastructure across THLP’s community‑based programs supports care coordination, program performance, and compliance with State and County contracts, including Medi‑Cal–funded services. The Data Specialist III is responsible for translating program operations and contractual requirements into functional, staff‑friendly EHR workflows, ensuring documentation meets regulatory standards while remaining trauma‑informed and culturally responsive.

This role supports billing readiness and audit preparation by maintaining accurate, well‑structured data systems. The Data Specialist III does not submit claims, but ensures data integrity for billing and reporting teams.

Ideal Candidate

This role is best suited for someone who has personally built and implemented EHR or data systems in a multi‑program, publicly funded or healthcare environment, and is comfortable owning systems end‑to‑end—from design through daily operation.

• Lead the design, build‑out, implementation, and administration of THLP’s EHR and related data systems.
• Translate program, contractual, and operational requirements into EHR workflows, forms, templates, and user roles.
• Oversee system configuration, testing, rollout, and ongoing optimization.
• Manage user access, permissions, troubleshooting, and system improvements.
• Coordinate with IT staff and vendors to support integrations, upgrades, and system performance.

• Ensure data systems and documentation practices align with State and County contract requirements, including Medi‑Cal and CalAIM‑related services.
• Support documentation standards for care coordination, service delivery, and outcomes tracking.
• Maintain data readiness for monitoring, audits, and reporting by State agencies, Managed Care Plans, and County partners.

• Maintain organization‑wide data integrity, consistency, and reliability across programs.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and data summaries to support leadership and program decision‑making.
• Support audit preparation through documentation review, data validation, and quality assurance processes.
• Identify gaps in documentation or workflows and implement corrective improvements.

• Train staff on EHR use, documentation standards, and data quality expectations.
• Develop user guides and reference materials.
• Provide ongoing technical support and coaching to program teams.

• Support integration of EHR data with reporting, billing, or analytics tools as needed.
• Recommend and implement workflow improvements that reduce staff burden and improve data quality.

Strong project management and workflow development skills, including multi‑program integration.

• 3–5 years of experience in data management, EHR administration, healthcare informatics, or multi‑program nonprofit data systems.
• Experience supporting at least two of the following program areas or equivalent community‑based service models:
  • Enhanced Care Management (ECM)
  • Community Supports (CS)
  • Community Health Worker (CHW) programs
  • Peer support or peer‑run programs
  • Reentry, housing, or justice‐involved services
• Strong understanding of Medi‑Cal, CalAIM documentation standards, SDOH frameworks, and care coordination systems.
• Experi…