JC-467994 – Senior Division Coordination and Special Projects Specialist

Overview

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for 50 years. Extensive research has found WIC to be a cost-effective investment that leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets, health care for children, and subsequently higher academic achievement for students. WIC helps families receive healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other community services. Like other divisions within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), WIC builds its program by addressing social determinants of health. WIC impacts the life course by promoting health practices that can ultimately improve life outcomes often experienced by vulnerable communities.

WIC serves babies and children up to age five, pregnant women, and new mothers. Dads, grandparents, foster parents of young children, and working families are welcome at WIC too! Monthly, nearly one million WIC participants can find support at one of 84 local agencies which offer services at more than 500 sites throughout California. WIC participants can redeem their food benefits at approximately 3,800 grocers or farmers who are authorized to serve WIC families.In 2019 – 2020, the WIC Division implemented an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card called the California WIC Card and a new management information system that allows WIC participants to be served more efficiently.

About the CDPH/WIC Family. Over 200 state staff work at CDPH’s WIC Division, headquartered at the Natomas campus in Sacramento.  WIC is committed to a hybrid workforce and the state provides a modest stipend for those who fully and partially work from home. Staff are provided with a computer or laptop, camera, and large screen to conduct their work. We build our unit teams virtually and maintain contact with stakeholders by being on camera to solidify our relationships. The WIC Division is led by senior managers administering a Local Policy and Health Programs Branch, Local Services Branch, Vendor Management Branch, Communications, Food, and Vendor Policy Branch, Data and Integrity Branch, WIC Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team.  Through these branches, support staff, analysts, specialists, researchers, and nutritionists serve the needs of WIC families, supports our program partners, and ensures the California WIC Program is administered appropriately and effectively.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. As an employee of the Communications, Food and Vendor Policy Branch, the candidate serves as part of a team that monitors, improves, and implements local and statewide policies which protect and serve Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants, vendors, and local agencies.

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:

Ability to interact effectively and professionally with internal and external partners.
Ability to work with a high degree of independence as well as part of a team.
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, including reviewing and editing documents.
Experience and/or education in digital media, nutrition, and/or public health.
Lived or Worked Experience In:

Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
Leading workgroups, projects or teams.
Communicating effectively with various levels of staff and the general public.
Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting various forms of data.
Preparing a wide variety of communications and outreach projects
Managing multiple assignments at a time.
Knowledge Of:

Various digital media platforms and software
Project management methodology.
Data-driven decision-making techniques.
Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues
Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public
Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills
Ability to perform critical thinking, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and make informed decisions
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
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=467994

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.