The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in California, and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year. The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.    

The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.

The Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) is based on the Richmond Campus which employs more than 1,200 people. The Richmond Campus is a flat, 29-acre property located in Richmond's Marina Bay. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention. The CLS works to bring together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. In addition, the Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success.

*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

*The CDPH is an E-Verify employer.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

This is a reposting of JC-499758 to increase candidate pool; previous applicants do not need to reapply. Your application is still in consideration

The Health Program Specialist II (HPS II), acting as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Director, participates in technically complex and politically sensitive special projects and activities assigned by the Deputy Director. Responsible for providing support and comprehensive CLS coordination necessary to meet the goals and objectives established by CLS. The HPS II provides guidance and expertise in highly complex, critical, and sensitive subject areas with multi-departmental or statewide impact, requiring high level of skills and knowledge and responsibility for work as it relates to department’s primary mission. Assists with overall technical and business practices, workflow of the department’s programs. Provides assistance regarding sensitive division issues and relieving the Deputy Director of routine administrative tasks and responsibilities.

If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin:

Health Program Specialist II: 
https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?examControlId=1191 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Excellent communication both written and oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated and strong work ethic.
• Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships.
• Ability to interact effectively and achieve results with internal staff and external partners including academia, and local and state health departments.
• Demonstrates the ability to plan, organize and manage complex public health programs or projects.
• Experience developing timelines, tracking progress and ensuring deliverables align with goals and regulations.
• Experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced policy environment.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting and drafting procedure documents for compliance and consistency.
• Experience organizing events, facilitating presentations/meetings or collaborating with committees on behalf of leadership.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=499758

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

About California Department of Public Health

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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