HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

Public Employees' Retirement System; California; Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Alternate Work Schedules

Flexible Work Hours

Onsite childcare facility

Onsite fitness center

Onsite café and nearby restaurants

Free onsite parking (Mondays/Fridays)

Job summary

CalPERS is seeking a Health Communications Strategist to support the Health Policy & Benefits Branch with strategic communications for the Health Program. You will craft compelling messages for diverse audiences, including senior leadership and public stakeholders, and lead communications that shape future health programs for millions of members.

The role requires advisory skills, strong writing, and the ability to deliver presentations that inspire action.

Qualifications

• Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field
• Experience in strategic communications, public relations, or marketing, particularly in health or public sector
• Ability to strategize and execute multiple communications materials with varied tactics
• Strong writing and editing background
• Ability to conduct research for presentations and media materials
• Skilled in advising executive leadership on communications strategies

Responsibilities

• Support senior leadership with strategic communications for CalPERS Health Program
• Craft messages for diverse audiences from senior leaders to public stakeholders
• Lead communication efforts that shape health program strategies for members
• Advise leaders on strategic communication plans and deliver influential presentations

Skills

Strategic communications

Public relations

Writing and editing

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector communications

Education

Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Health Planning, Public Administration, or related health field

Job description

Health Communications Strategist

Public Employees Retirement System

JC-536919 - Health Communications Strategist

HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

$7,276.00 - $9,107.00 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: 11/10/2026

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning the week of November 30, 2026. We look forward to meeting with you!

Our Health Policy & Benefits Branch (HPBB), Health Plan Research Administration Division (HPRA) is currently seeking a Health Program Specialist II or I to support the senior leadership team with strategic communications for the CalPERS Health Program.

Are you a skilled communicator who can craft compelling messages for diverse audiences, from senior leadership to public stakeholders?

Are you ready to lead communication efforts that shape the future of health programs for millions of members?

Do you excel at advising leaders on strategic communication plans and delivering presentations that inspire action?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, then you’ve found a position you’d be interested in exploring further.

Telework Information Act quickly to apply for this hybrid position, where you’ll enjoy up to 40% (two days) remote work, each week!

Sponsorship This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

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

Minimum Requirements

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II
• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

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.

Shall Consider:

HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

$6,623.00 - $8,290.00

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation’s largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website !

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.

The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length.

• Describe how your background, experience, education and/or training makes you a competitive candidate for this position. Provide specific examples of your roles and responsibilities which relate to the duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Describe your experience researching and analyzing legislation or policy issues, developing recommendations for program strategies or policy changes based on your findings, and communicating the results to stakeholders.
• Describe a time when you had to explain a complex concept, process, or decision to an audience with limited background knowledge. How did you approach the communication, and what strategies or tools did you use to ensure clarity and understanding?

Minimum Qualifications

All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website.

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:

• Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field
• Experience in strategic communications, public relations, or marketing, particularly in the health or public sector
• Ability to strategize, develop, and execute high-quality and multiple communications materials using varied tactics for internal and external audiences
• Strong writing and editing background
• Ability to conduct and complete complex research for presentations, speeches, articles, and media materials
• Skilled in providing strategic communications, public relations consultation and advice to executive-level leadership
• Ability to motivate and manage collaborative resources to execute coordinated and integrated communications strategies and materials
• Excellent relationship and team-building skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and professionally; be flexible and able to adapt to change
• Skilled in developing, managing, and executing mitigation strategies for complex and sensitive issues

CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:

• Alternate Work Schedules
• Flexible Work Hours
• Onsite childcare facility
• Onsite fitness center
• Onsite café and nearby restaurants
• Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
• Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

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

Human Resources Contact:
[phone]
[e-mail]

EEO Contact:
CalPERS EEO
[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.

Additional Information

Live Scan Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

CalPERS Disclosure Requirements If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.

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.