Job Posting: Deputy Director, Program Operations - Career Executive Assignment Level C

Department of Health Care Services

JC-537353
-
Deputy Director, Program Operations - Career Executive Assignment Level C
C. E. A.

$13,472.00 - $16,589.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 12/1/2026

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS/Department) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,900 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today!

About this Role:

DHCS is seeking a skilled and innovative leader to fill the role of Deputy Director (DD), Program Operations (PO).

The DD, PO formulates, recommends, and implements department-wide policies with significant impact on all programs across Managed Care, Fee-For-Service, Dental, and other health care delivery systems administered by DHCS. The DD, PO also leads the most complex efforts that advance the Department's operations, program integrity, and fiscal integrity.

 

Additionally, the DD, PO, leads subordinate team members at the Executive level and below to carry out PO functions in the California Medicaid Management Information System Operations, Clinical Assurance, Provider Enrollment, and Third Party Liability and Recovery Divisions.

 

The DD, PO builds collaborative working relationships with the DHCS Directorate, Executive Staff, internal partners, and external stakeholders, including the California Health and Human Services Agency, as well as other departments and governmental entities at local, state, and federal levels.

The DD, PO works under the general direction of the Chief Operating Officer for Programs, Program Integration and Operations Support, and is a member of the DHCS Executive Staff.

This position is subject to the Department's Conflict of Interest Code and filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) upon assuming office, annually while in office, and upon leaving office.

If you are interested in helping Californians by serving as the DD,PO, complete and submit the required application package documents and apply today!

Do you have questions and/or need assistance? Contact executiverecruitment@dhcs.ca.gov. We are here to help you through the CEA hiring process.

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

Working Conditions

Please see the Telework and Salary Information section below for telework, reporting location, and temporary statewide salary reduction/Personal Leave Program 2025 details.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-537353
Position #(s):
805-400-7500-002
Working Title:
Deputy Director, Program Operations - Career Executive Assignment Level C
Classification:
C. E. A.
$13,472.00 - $16,589.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Yolo County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

DHCS' purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all.

DHCS is a dynamic organization with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. DHCS is committed to addressing disparities within our organization and in our communities through efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is accomplished, in part, by a commitment toward employing a diverse workforce that reflects the many communities we serve, and by promoting and enforcing equal employment opportunity.

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: 12/1/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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 Health Care Services
Mailing
Attn: Kristin Boldarev JC #537353
M.S. 1300
P.O. Box 997411
Sacramento, CA 95899-7411

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Health Care Services
Drop-Off
Kristin Boldarev JC #537353
1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501
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.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Supplemental Application - Responses to the five supplemental questions.
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.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

(1) Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government, including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; personnel management techniques; the Department’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program (EEO) objectives; and a manager’s role in the EEO.

(2) Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

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:


• Demonstrated knowledge of the organization of California state government, administration, and operations.

• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, rules, and processes that govern the health care programs administered by the DHCS, including Medi-Cal.

• Demonstrated knowledge of laws, regulations, rules, and processes that govern large scale procurements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex vendor and fiscal intermediary relationships, including contract negotiations and performance oversight.

• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance for program operations, large-scale project planning, and project execution.

• Demonstrated knowledge of program integrity approaches, principles, and operations, including fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, detection, and recovery.

• Demonstrated ability to lead the responsible, ethical deployment of artificial intelligence to improve operational and program integrity outcomes.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop large, multidisciplinary teams in a complex operational environment.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across high levels of government, external organizations, providers, industry associations, and beneficiaries, resulting in strategic alignment and, ultimately, the achievement of business outcomes.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and efficiently.

• Demonstrated ability to lead change and transformation efforts within and outside the organization, using excellent communication and change management strategies.

Examination Information

The examination process will consist of Supplemental Application Items/questions, as outlined below. Applicants must respond to all five supplemental application items for this examination. These supplemental items are designed to identify job achievement in specific areas that demonstrate the ability to perform at the CEA C level successfully. Responses to the five supplemental application items will be assessed based on pre-determined job-related rating criteria. In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to the extent and type of pertinent experience and education over and above that required under the minimum qualifications.

Each applicant for this examination must complete and submit his/her responses to all five supplemental application items. Supplemental Application Item responses and a completed STD 678 Examination/Employment Application must be postmarked, personally delivered, or received by mail on or before the final filing date. Supplemental Application Item responses may be submitted with an Electronic State Employment Application when applying for this position through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION ITEMS WILL BE REJECTED.

When responding to the supplemental items, applicants must follow these guidelines:
  • Responses must be typewritten on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, using no smaller than a 12-point font.
  • Responses to the five supplemental application items must be limited to a total of four pages, single-sided. Therefore, the supplemental application document must not exceed four pages.
  • Identify each page with his/her full name.
  • Responses are to be complete, specific, clear, and concise.
  • Answer each numbered item separately, indicating the corresponding item number for each response.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION ITEMS

1. Describe your experience providing executive-level leadership of large, complex operational programs, including the scope of the organizations you led (staff size, budget, and functions). Using specific examples, explain how you have built, led, and developed high-performing, diverse teams; fostered an inclusive work environment; addressed inequities in the workplace or program operations; and achieved equitable outcomes for employees, stakeholders, or the communities you serve.

2. Describe your experience directing large, complex vendor, contractor, or fiscal intermediary relationships. Include specific examples describing your role in high-value procurements, contract negotiations, and resolving escalated vendor performance issues or disputes, and include the outcomes achieved.

3. Using specific examples, describe your experience leading or supporting program integrity and/or fiscal integrity efforts, such as fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, detection, and recovery, or safeguarding large expenditures. Explain the strategies you used and the results you achieved.

4. Describe your experience leading the responsible, ethical adoption of new technology, such as artificial intelligence, automation, or advanced data analytics, to improve operational outcomes. Provide specific examples of how you balanced innovation with governance, oversight, and risk management.

5. Describe a situation in which you represented an organization in high-level negotiations or built consensus among diverse, high-level stakeholders (e.g., executives, legislators, federal/state partners, providers, or advocacy groups) on a complex or sensitive issue, and/or led significant organizational change amid shifting, competing priorities. Explain your approach and the outcome.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Defined retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary.

Contact Information

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

Human Resources Contact:
Kristin Boldarev
(916) 345-7260
kristin.boldarev@dhcs.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 Officer
(916) 440-7370
civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov
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.

Telework and Salary Information

Telework Information: This position is currently eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change consistent with DHCS’ Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 – 14203. Telework is available to California residents, and proof of residency may be required.

Reporting Location: Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated office and residence subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The DHCS office location for this position is: 830 Stillwater Rd., West Sacramento, CA 95605.

Salary Information: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs employees for this position to receive a 3 percent temporary reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits per month. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for more information.

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