HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California’s Department of Health Care Services seeks an Innovation Specialist | Health Program Specialist II to lead large-scale projects, manage contracts, and evaluate bills and regulations. This role supports enterprise-level solutions and drives ongoing innovation within Program Operations and the Department.

Located in West Sacramento, hybrid telework is available. Salary ranges from $7,276 to $9,107 per month with benefits; the position requires navigating complex health programs

Qualifications

• Integrity and high ethical standards.
• Experience with workflow management and optimization.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to anticipate project needs.
• Experience developing and delivering technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.
• Ability to train staff and community partners unfamiliar with research to collect, manage, and analyze data.
• Ability to analyze, think logically, interpret technical data, and make sound decisions.
• Intermediate to advanced experience with Microsoft suite and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Act in a lead capacity for large-scale projects and contract procurement and evaluation.
• Analyze bills and regulations and promote innovation and efficiencies.
• Work on enterprise-level solutions and cross-department coordination.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to teams.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Contract management

Project management

Technical assistance

Capacity-building

Training staff

Innovation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

INNOVATION SPECIALIST | HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

$7,276.00 - $9,107.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 9/11/2026

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS? The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 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. Contact [e-mail] , we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!

The Business Innovation Branch of the Program Operations Deputy Director's Office serves as the innovation arm for both Program Operations and the Department. Under the general direction of the Supervisor II, the role of the Innovation Health Program Specialist II acts in a lead capacity for large scale projects, contract procurement and evaluation, and analysis of bills and regulations. This also includes work on projects related to technical enhancements, including enterprise level solutions, and continuously promoting innovation and efficiencies throughout Program Operations and the Department.

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.

This position is located in West Sacramento, which is in Yolo County. Please ensure you have chosen Yolo County as a place you are willing to accept employment on your CalCareer profile.

Our campus-style office offers FREE parking, and is near the freeway, a shopping center, and several dining options.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II $7,276.00 - $9,107.00 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: Permanent, 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.

Special Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicant must provide written response to the following Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). Your response must be typewritten using 12-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages in length. You must indicate your full name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Failure to submit the SQs will disqualify your application. References to other materials such as resume, cover letter, or application will not be considered in lieu of the SQs. The use of large language model (LLM) tools (ie. ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot) is strongly discouraged at any stage of the application process. Any use of AI will result in automatic disqualification.

1. Provide an example of a time you assessed data, trends, reports, governmental data sources, and/or existing research to develop evidence-informed approaches to health programs or other projects.

• What was the data?
• How did you use it to inform the approaches?
• What was the outcome?

2. Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership to move a project forward, even though you didn’t have formal supervisory authority.

Desirable Qualifications

• High integrity
• Experience with workflow management and optimization
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate project needs
• Experience developing and delivering technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives
• Experience supporting and training staff and community partners that are unfamiliar with research, to collect, manage, and analyze data
• Ability to analyze, think logically, interpret technical data, and make sound decisions
• Intermediate to advanced experience with Microsoft suite, technology, software tools, etc.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously

Ability to facilitate

Receptive to feedback

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
May Tang
[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 840 Stillwater Rd, West Sacramento, CA 95605.

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.

Additional Information

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

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.