DISABILITY EVALUATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR III

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 9,600 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

CalPERS pension

Two weeks paid vacation

Two weeks paid sick leave

Two paid Professional Development Days

Personal Holiday

Pre-tax parking

Job summary

The State of California's Disability Evaluation Services is seeking a Branch Chief (DESA III) to lead disability-claims evaluation, analysis, processing, and reporting in the La Jolla/SD area. This senior role implements policies and guides a team to ensure accurate adjudication and timely outputs.

The position supports hybrid work; residency in California is required. A rigorous background check is required and the salary matches a public-sector leadership role with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Ability to exercise initiative, good judgment, honesty, and timely decisions while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Plan, organize, communicate, adapt to changing priorities, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to identify gaps and develop business requirements.
• Experience leading large teams and presenting to management to support recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Manage, plan, organize, direct, and evaluate evaluation, analysis, processing, and reporting of disability claims.
• Interpret and implement Federal, Departmental, Division, and Branch policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Lead and develop staff within the Branch to ensure accurate adjudication and timely outputs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Problem solving

Team leadership

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

MS Teams

MS SharePoint

Job description

Branch Chief - DISABILITY EVALUATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR III

$9,572.00 - $10,867.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 10/16/2026

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids, and protects California children and adults in need. Be a part of a team that thrives in moving our mission to serve Californians, forward.

Responsibilities

Under the general director and guidance of an Assistant Deputy Director (CEA-A), the Disability Evaluation Services Administrator (DESA) III, or Branch Chief, will manage, plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the overall evaluation, analysis, processing, and reporting in the development and adjudication of disability claims in their Branch's jurisdiction. In the capacity, the Branch Chief articulates, interprets, and implements Federal, Departmental, Division, and Branch policies, regulations, and procedures.

Minimum Requirements

• DISABILITY EVALUATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR III

Background Check

• The position requires a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• This position requires Federal fingerprint clearance and background check. Criminal record checks of prospective full- or part-time CDSS, DDSD personnel will be conducted. Applicants will be required to submit fingerprints for Federal processing. Federal clearance is a condition of employment for this position (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12) and is subject to Social Security Administration hiring authority.

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with Executive Order N-22-25 the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required. Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Telework

Hybrid

Work Location

This position is located at the La Jolla Branch in San Diego, CA 92108.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• CalPERS pension upon retirement
• Two weeks paid vacation per year
• Two weeks paid sick leave per year
• Two paid Professional Development Days
• One paid Personal Holiday
• Pre-tax parking fee program

Transportation Reimbursement

• Public transit (mass transit) passes
• 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
• 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to exercise initiative, good judgment, honesty, and make timely decisions while maintaining positive and trusting working relationships.
• Ability to plan, organize, communicate, and adapt to changing assignments and priorities, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical skills with demonstrated ability to work independently, think logically and creatively, apply a range of analytical and research tools, identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, make sound recommendations, and develop business requirements based on the recommendations.
• Experience leading large teams and using strong verbal and written communication skills to present information to all levels of management, consultants, and support staff, to prepare and present written recommendations, and develop business requirements based on those recommendations.
• Experience working in a team environment, as a coach, mentor, and in a leadership capacity.
• Knowledge and understanding or willingness and ability to learn Management Competencies and Departmental organization, business program areas, technology, and processes.
• Strong working knowledge and experience in business process improvement and project management technical skills
• Experience gathering, identifying, and analyzing business, functional, and technical system requirements.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, MS Teams, and MS SharePoint.

Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Contact Information

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

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 to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

EEO Office

[phone]

[e-mail]

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.