Overview
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 not currently an E-Verify employer.
Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov
THERE IS ONE VACANCY BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE: *Sacramento, Contra Costa, or San Diego County *
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: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1192
This job announcement is a re-posting. Previous applicants who applied to JC# 467895 will need to reapply.
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by supporting the essential business operations functions for the Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR) including fiscal, contracts, human resources and personnel, legal and privacy, and asset management duties; establishment of standard policies, procedures, and structures; and performance of related data tracking, management, and reporting activities.
Under the direction of the Staff Services Manager I (SSM I), Unit Chief in the OIDPR Finance and Contracts Unit, the Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) serves as a highly skilled technical consultant with independent responsibility for carrying out a variety of high-level assignments in a fast-paced environment, supporting the emergency response to public health infectious disease threats. The HPS I acts as subject matter expert and leads OIDPR contract and Scope of Work development, coordinates OIDPR responses to time-sensitive drills, maintains internal tracking systems for budgets, and completes complex financial reporting. Provides high-level, technical expertise, coordination, and leadership for the development and implementation of officewide funding and budget oversight. The HPS I participates in strategic planning, implementation, and technical consultation for multiple contracts and the development of emergency contracts.
In the case of a public health emergency, this position may be asked to redirect to serve rotations in emergency staffing roles aligned with their classification level.
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 I
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:
Responding to drills, including budget building and expenditure reporting documents that you have personally prepared, the resources used in your preparation, and how you explain responses to management under tight deadlines.
State contracting process – including determining procurement method, preparing budgets and Scope of Work, and explaining these topics to those with less experience.
Drafting, editing, or submitting a well written Budget Change Proposal/Finance Letter and their key components.
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=493889
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 The California Department of Public Health
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in the Golden State 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, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor to the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Shared Vision
CDPH public health professionals, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members have a shared vision to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We are dedicated to public service and passionate about our work and the people and communities we serve and protect.
