HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid holidays and vacation/leave

Defined retirement program

Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)

Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement

Job summary

State of California | Department of Health Care Services seeks an HCBS Operations Health Program Specialist I to develop reports, draft policies, and provide technical assistance to stakeholders across the Integrated Systems of Care Division. The role emphasizes advanced research, analysis, and project management to improve California's health services.

Termed for 12 months with potential extension or permanency, the position offers hybrid telework, a competitive salary, and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives while ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Effectively manages and guides group efforts, providing appropriate feedback on progress and project management.
• Makes decisions and solves problems involving varied levels of complexity, ambiguity, and risk.
• Listens to others and communicates effectively in writing and speech.
• Uses correct grammar, spelling, sentence and document structure, and formatting to convey messages.

Responsibilities

• Develops reports and dashboards for HCBS operations.
• Drafts policies and procedures to support services.
• Provides technical assistance to stakeholders.
• Communicates findings clearly, both verbally and in writing.

Skills

Task planning

Team leadership

Decision making

Communication

Writing & grammar

Document formatting

Education

Health Program Specialist I

Job description

Job Posting:HCBS Operations Health Program Specialist

Department of Health Care Services

JC-529585

JC-529585 - HCBS Operations Health Program Specialist HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

$6,623.00 - $8,290.00 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: 9/8/2026

About this Role

HCBS Operations Health Program Specialist Wanted! Within the Integrated Systems of Care Division, our Clinical & Waiver Care Services Section is searching for an individual skilled in developing reports, drafting policies and procedures, and providing technical assistance to stakeholders. Skills in verbal and written communication, advanced research and analysis, and project management are crucial. The work performed is essential for the Californians we service, so join us to make a difference.

This position has been advertised as limited term and is expected to last 12 months. This limited term position may be extended up to 24 months if supported by workload or may become permanent if workload becomes permanent.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact [e-mail] , we are here to help walk you through the state 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 details.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

Classification

HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I $6,623.00 - $8,290.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions

Multiple

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

12 Month Limited Term - 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.

Take a look at some of DHCS' recent projects and happenings that our Department has accomplished in the DHCS Newsroom.

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:

• The ability to define tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives and project deadlines.
• The ability to effectively manage and guide group efforts. This includes providing the appropriate level of feedback concerning group progress and project management.
• The ability to make decisions and solve problems involving varied levels of complexity, ambiguity, and risk.
• The ability to listen to others and communicate in an effective manner.
• The ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and facts in writing.
• The ability/skill to use correct grammar, correct spelling, sentence and document structure, accepted document formatting, and special literary techniques to communicate a message in writing.

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

We need your help! Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief optional survey: SurveyMonkey link . This survey is not required to be considered for this position.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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).

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Susy Castro
[phone]
[e-mail]

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
[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.

Telework and Salary Information

Telework: 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. 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: 1515 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Personal Leave Program (PLP 2025) agreement

Salary: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. 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 details.

Paper applications must include a signature. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.

Applicants must state their basis of eligibility (List Eligibility, Lateral Transfer, Reinstatement, T&D, or Surplus/SROA), and the Job Control (JC) number and/or position number in the "Examination(s) or Job Title(s), For Which You Are Applying" section on the STD. 678. Surplus/SROA candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth, etc.) as well as any information regarding your LEAP eligibility and/or exam scores from your documents prior to submission.

All information on the Employment Application (STD 678) must be completed. Applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Resumes or other documents may not be substituted for the Employment Application (STD 678).

If applying electronically, please note that CalCareers no longer allows applicants to withdraw their applications. If you need assistance to withdraw your application, please contact the Recruitment Section at [e-mail]. For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, please contact CalHR’s CalCareers Unit at [phone] or [e-mail].

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.