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 position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing health equity and strategic planning goals and objectives and to promote recognition and reduction of the burden of infection among California’s most vulnerable populations through changes in workplace culture and practice.
The Health Program Specialist (HPS) I serves as the lead for the development and implementation of both state and federally funded trauma-informed and patient centered programs and special projects that focus on the health needs of vulnerable and underserved populations who have various intersecting social determinates of health needs. Acts as the lead project coordinator for state-funded programs that address the social determinants of health and aim to reduce health disparities by increasing racial health equity efforts. Works to eliminate health inequities that result in disproportionate disease burdens among marginalized demographic groups and aligns and mobilizes resources and community partners to achieve targets.
The HPS I works closely with external and internal partners such as enrollment sites, enrollment workers, clinical providers, pharmacies, local health jurisdictions (LHJ), community-based organizations (CBO), and other branches within the Office of AIDS (OA), such as program staff in the ADAP and the ADAP and Care Evaluation and Informatics (ACEI) Branch. Responsible for coordinating and contributing significant content to federal grant applications and progress reports; coordinates guidance and other instructions for issuance to community partners; manages ad hoc analyses on a wide variety of policies, programs and issues; leads and/or participates on policy and planning committees and work groups; plans and coordinates meetings; leads and facilitates programmatic webinars, researches processes and procedures, and summarizes findings, policies, or organizational structures in order to develop and/or implement changes and provides consultative services to department administrators, partners, and external partners.
The incumbent works under the direction of the Supervisor I, Chief of the Strategic Projects Unit (SPU).
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.
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.
Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitmet
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
