Health Program Specialist II

California Department of Health Care Services; California; Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, including health, dental, and

Vision insurance

Paid Holidays and vacation/leave

Defined retirement program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

The Health Program Specialist II at California Department of Health Care Services in Yolo County supports interpretation, implementation and evaluation of health care policies within the Division. You will act as expert advisor on policy guidance for management and cross-divisional projects, with independence on complex assignments and strong stakeholder relations.

This hybrid role requires collaborating with management and DHCS programs, delivering analytic, policy and program design work while

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to research, interpret, and synthesize complex policy, regulatory, and program information.
• Demonstrated experience developing or implementing policy guidance, procedures, or oversight tools.
• Proven ability to lead, organize, or facilitate cross-divisional or multi-stakeholder projects.
• Skilled in managing competing priorities and shifting workloads while maintaining high-quality output.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing clear, executive-level briefings and documents.
• Experience collaborating with legal counsel, SMEs, technical teams, other DHCS divisions, and external partners.
• Ability to serve as a subject matter expert and provide consultative advice on sensitive or high-impact program issues.
• Strong data analysis capabilities to support program evaluation, policy development, and decision-making.
• Experience representing the department in meetings, workgroups, and stakeholder engagements.
• High level of initiative, autonomy, confidentiality, and sound judgment when handling complex or sensitive assignments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and provide technical program assistance for interpretation, implementation and evaluation of health care policies.
• Serve as expert advisor on policy guidance and interpretation for management and cross-divisional projects.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, and DHCS programs.

Skills

Policy analysis

Cross-divisional collaboration

Data interpretation

Job description

Work Location

Yolo County

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.

About this Role

Under the general direction of the Division Chief (CEA-B), the Health Program Specialist II (HPS II) provides coordination and technical program assistance for interpretation, implementation and evaluation of health care policies as they relate to clinical assurance within Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) program areas. The HPS II will serve as a highly skilled technical program consultant, providing policy and consultative advice on the most complex and sensitive policy matters within the Division. The HPS II will function as the expert advisor and specialist on policy guidance and interpretation for management and cross-divisional and departmental projects.

The position has considerable responsibility and independence in performing a wide variety of complex and sensitive technical, analytical and administrative assignments, and special projects on behalf of the Division Chief (D.C.). The position performs varied and highly complex analytical duties with a high degree of initiative, originality, responsibility, and confidentiality, handling multiple complex assignments and projects simultaneously, and with efficiency.

The HPS II must develop and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, and DHCS programs.

Minimum Requirements

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-534791

Position #(s): 805-200-8336-xxx

Working Title: Health Program Specialist II

Classification: HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

Salary Range: $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

Work Location: Yolo County

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

Supplemental Questionnaire Requirement Section. To be considered for this position, applicant must provide written responses to the following Supplemental Questionnaires (SQs). Your responses must be typewritten using 12-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages in length. Failure to submit the SQs will disqualify your application. The use of artificial Intelligence (AI) to answer the questions below is not allowed and may disqualify a candidate from consideration for the position.

• Project Leadership & Positive Outcomes
  • Describe a project or assignment you led or coordinated that involved multiple stakeholders or complex requirements. Include:
  • Your role and responsibilities
  • How you organized, facilitated, or directed the work
  • Steps you took to achieve a successful outcome
• Collaboration & Cross-Divisional Engagement
  • Discuss your experience collaborating with management, other government agencies, technical staff, legal counsel, or external partners.
  • Explain how you facilitated the work
  • Describe your communication approaches
  • Note challenges and resolutions
• Technical Expertise & Policy/Program Knowledge
  • Explain the training and work experience that prepare you for the technical aspects of this HPS II role.
  • Provide specific examples of policy analysis, program design, or implementation work
  • Describe the sensitivity or complexity of issues handled
  • Identify practices you use to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective implementation

Desirable Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to research, interpret, and synthesize complex policy, regulatory, and program information.
• Demonstrated experience developing or implementing policy guidance, procedures, or oversight tools.
• Proven ability to lead, organize, or facilitate cross-divisional or multi-stakeholder projects.
• Skilled in managing competing priorities and shifting workloads while maintaining high-quality output.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing clear, executive-level briefings and documents.
• Experience collaborating with legal counsel, SMEs, technical teams, other DHCS divisions, and external partners.
• Ability to serve as a subject matter expert and provide consultative advice on sensitive or high-impact program issues.
• Strong data analysis capabilities to support program evaluation, policy development, and decision-making.
• Experience representing the department in meetings, workgroups, and stakeholder engagements.
• High level of initiative, autonomy, confidentiality, and sound judgment when handling complex or sensitive assignments.

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.

DHCS 2023-2027 Strategic Plan provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence.

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Lani Su
[phone]
[e-mail]

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