Please note:

In response to increases in COVID-19 cases, California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is implementing COVID-19 testing of all unvaccinated state employees working on site as an additional health and safety standard to protect the state workforce and the public it serves.

Job Posting: Operations Program Specialist

Department of Public Health

JC-314412
-
Operations Program Specialist
HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

$6,658.00 - $8,334.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 9/6/2022

Job Description and Duties

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 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Division’s Operations Branch, the incumbent supports the branch chief who leads two sections and a unit that include WIC’s budget and financial responsibilities, contract and business responsibilities, and workforce services.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Operations Branch Chief, Staff Services Manager III (SSM III). The Health Program Specialist II (HPS II) serves as a highly skilled health professional who is responsible for leading and collaborative planning, development, and coordination of complex management activities and projects to enhance and improve internal operations within the WIC Division. The incumbent works as a subject matter expert to research and gather information and data, evaluate alternative strategies, and provide management progress reports and recommendations in support of WIC operations and to implement initiatives intended to improve the quality of operation in the WIC Programs, Division, the Center for Family Health, and CDPH.

This position requires the ability to think clearly, analyze problems of the organization and take effective action; work under pressure and time constraints; handle changing priorities; establish cooperative working relationships; clearly and effectively communicate both orally and in writing (includes acting as the lead writer for grant proposals and other programmatic technical documents); and demonstrate a high degree of initiative, independence, and analytical skills. In addition, this position monitors and evaluates contracts for compliance with health regulations, which includes oversight of the WIC estimate packages and USDA State Plan, ensures compliance with state and federally mandated activities within the WIC Division as well as coordinates and prepares responses to assignments and drills from executive management. Manage complex health programs or projects; and represent the department in dealings with local, State, Federal and private jurisdictions.

“Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the Health Program Specialist II classification and are interested in this position, may take the Health Program Specialist II exam to obtain list eligibility. List eligibility is required prior to appointment.” If you have not taken the HPS I exam, please follow the link below: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/Bulletin.aspx?examCD=0PBHJ

This is a reposting of JC-314412 to increase candidate pool; previous applicants do not need to reapply and are still for consideration

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-314412
Position #(s):
580-510-8336-909
Working Title:
Operations Program Specialist
Classification:
HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II
$6,658.00 - $8,334.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

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 Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for over 45 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 who are authorized to serve WIC families.

About the CDPH/WIC Family

Over 200 state staff work at California Department of Public Health’s WIC Division located at the Natomas campus in Sacramento (free parking!). WIC is family-friendly and supportive of a teleworking environment that values employees and their families.

The WIC Division is led by senior managers administering the Local Services Branch, Vendor Management Branch, Policy and Planning Branch, Data Analysis, Research, and Evaluation Section, Operations, and eWIC Branch.  Through these branches, support staff, analysts, specialists, researchers, and nutritionists carry forward the mission to nourish and empower families to grow and build a healthy future, while being good stewards of the public’s trust and funding.

As important as our work, WIC is a diverse strengths-based organization that values partnerships and collaborative work across the division, WIC community, CDPH, and other state agencies. WIC is serious about its commitment to excellence and the reputation of the WIC program, and all managers are expected to embrace a strengths-based collaborative approach through humility, introspection, and participation in all aspects of the division’s work.

Special Requirements

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY).  Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account.  Please reference Job Control # (314412) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section.  SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application.  Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

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 CalCareers Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.  

 

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email apply@cdph.ca.gov for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 9/6/2022

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Public Health
Attn: Classification & Certification Unit
P.O. Box 997378
MS 1700-1702
Sacramento, CA 95899-7378

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Public Health
Classification & Certification Unit
1615 Capitol Avenue Suite 73.430
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Please see Statement of Qualifications instructions below at end of posting.  Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SOQ will not be scored/reviewed.  

  • Other -

    Writing Sample is Required:The writing sample is requested to elicit information regarding each candidate’s writing capabilities.  Any writing sample is acceptable. The writing sample should not be more than two (2) pages in length using 12-point font size.  Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses to the writing sample.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

  1. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
  2. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills including reviewing and editing documents
  3. Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies and the general public
  4. Ability to summarize complex subjects and brief management on topic relevant to the program and support operations

Experience in:

  1. Coordinating with others to accomplish work-related assignments
  2. Interpreting and explaining processes and procedures to various audiences
  3. Analyzing and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of program, policies, regulations and/or procedures

Knowledge of:

  1. State and Federal policies and regulations as it related to the WIC Program
  2. Information gathering techniques
  3. Completed Staff Work methodology

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resoures Division
(916) 445-0983
apply@cdph.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Megan McCleary
928-8686 ext:
Megan.McCleary@cdph.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 445-0938
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications Instructions

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is requested to elicit information regarding each candidate’s interest and experience in relation to this position.  The completed SOQ should not be more than two (2) pages in length using 12-point font size.  Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses to the SOQ.

Please answer each question below.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS QUESTIONS

1.  Provide an example when you initiated and led a project.  Include challenges and how you mediated any barriers to completion.  

2.  Identify a project, process or procedure that you felt needed improvement. What steps did you take to address the issue and what was the outcome?

3. Tell us about one experience in developing cooperative working relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders.  Include challenges and opportunities gained from the experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job