Public Health Program Specialist II

Contra Costa County; California (MO); On-site; USD 78,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Contra Costa County Health Services Department is seeking a Public Health Program Specialist II in Concord, CA. The role oversees grants and program activities within the Maternal and Child Health Program, with occasional travel across Contra Costa County.

You will supervise staff, ensure compliance with state and federal mandates, manage budgets, and develop grant proposals. A Master’s degree and relevant health service experience are required, with substitutions allowed for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Health Care Administration, Public Health, Nursing, Health Education, Social Welfare or related field.
• Experience: Two years in a health care organization, public health agency or community program providing program management and direction and other administrative duties.
• Substitution: Bachelor's degree with three years of related management/admin experience may substitute for master's; one additional year may substitute for the specific major.

Responsibilities

• Providing supervision, technical assistance and consultation to program managers.
• Establishing, reviewing, evaluating, implementing and interpreting program policy to ensure compliance with State and Federal mandates.
• Identifying urgent needs for program services and making referrals.
• Provide budgetary support for grant management.
• Developing and writing grant proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Professionalism

Results driven

Analytical

Detail oriented

Critical thinking

Delivery focus

Legal & regulatory navigation

Safety focus

Ownership & accountability

Relationship building

Coaching & developing others

Visionary leadership

Process analysis

Cross-divisional collaboration

Organizational design & structure

Education

Master's degree in Health Care Administration / Public Health / Nursing / Health Education / Social Welfare or related

Bachelor's degree + 3 years experience substitution for master's

Job description

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent employment opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Public Health Program Specialist II position. There is currently one (1) vacancy in the Public Health Division's Maternal and Child Health Program located in Concord, CA.

Our clinics serve a diverse community, and the incumbent will oversee complex grants and program activities that support our clinic populations. This position may occasionally require travel to various locations throughout Contra Costa County.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A Strong leader: You will be responsible for supervising and coordinating the work of subordinate staff.
• Professional: You must provide and promote excellence in customer service for both external partners and the public.
• Results Driven: You will be able to effectively set and meet program goals.
• Analytical: You will manage, compile, and analyze data.
• Detail Oriented: You will be in constant compliance with state and federal program mandates and establishing procedures accordingly.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Providing supervision, technical assistance and consultation to program managers
• Establishing, reviewing, evaluating, implementing and interpreting program policy to ensure compliance with State and Federal program mandates
• Identifying urgent needs for program services and making appropriate referrals
• Provide budgetary support when it comes to grant management
• Developing and writing proposals for grant applications

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be part of a high value team environment.
• You will be part of a culture that encourages growth and innovation.
• There is open dialogue between staff and management.
• You will have job stability and opportunities for career growth.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You may work under pressure and need to deliver assignments in tight timeframes.
• You must adapt to ever-changing technology.
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks self
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Displaying Ownership & Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Visionary Leadership: Taking a long‑term view and building a shared vision with others; acting as a catalyst for organizational change
• Building Process Analysis: Defining, assessing, and improving operational processes and workflow
• Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions and teams
• Organization Design & Structure: Establishing organizational structure and clarifying roles and responsibilities

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Health Care Administration, Public Health, Nursing, Health Education, Social Welfare or a closely related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of full‑time experience, or its equivalent, in a health care organization, public health agency or community program providing program management and direction and other administrative duties.

Substitution: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in any of the aforementioned fields and three years of full‑time experience or its equivalent performing management and direction and other administrative duties in a health care organization, public health agency or community program may be substituted for the master's degree requirement. One (1) additional year of experience of the type noted above may be substituted for the required academic major. No substitution is permitted for a Bachelor's degree.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR RESTRICTED POSITIONS:

• Successful candidates for some positions in the HIV/AIDS Program require clearance from the State Office of AIDS prior to a permanent appointment.
• Successful candidate for the position in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program must meet the criteria established by the State Medi-Cal Program as Skilled Professional Medical Personnel (SPMP). This includes: a) Registered Nurses and Public Health Nurses with a valid certificate from the State of California; b) Physician Assistants with a valid license issued by the California Physician Assistant Committee; c) Registered Dietitians with a valid registration from the American Dietetic Association; d) individuals possessing either a master's degree in Social Welfare (MSW) with an emphasis in medical or a master's degree in Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in health education; e) Licensed Clinical Psychologists; and f) Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselors
• Successful candidate for the position in the Senior Nutrition program must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment a current registration as a Dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association)
• Successful candidate for the position in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment a current registration as a Dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association)

Selection Process:

• Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
• Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire (BCQ): Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online behavioral consistency questionnaire assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies to be placed on the eligible list. These may include but are not limited to: Legal & Regulatory Navigation, Displaying Ownership & Accountability, Critical Thinking, Delivering Results and Writing. (Weighted 100%).

The BCQ Assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) during the week of SEPTEMBER 2, 2026.