Unit Chief

California Department of Health Care Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 7,200 - 8,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous training

DEI program

Employee Assistance Program

Medical/dental/vision

Holidays and vacation

Retirement plan (401k/457)

FSAs

Job summary

California Department of Health Care Services is seeking a Unit Chief to lead the Contracts and Policy Unit within the Behavioral Health Grants Section. You will direct staff, oversee contract monitoring for the Opioid Settlement Funds programs, and ensure compliance with terms and policies.

The role requires strong supervisory and analytical abilities, experience with policy development, and the ability to collaborate with other state departments, providers, and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in contract management and policy coordination.
• Strong communication skills for memos, reports, and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Experience in policy, fiscal, and data analysis to support statewide programs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct the work of staff in CPU.
• Monitor contractors and grant-funded programs for compliance with contracts and policies.
• Develop policies and procedures and provide training and administrative support.
• Collaborate with other state departments, providers, and stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Supervisory experience

Time management

Policy analysis

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

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.

Job Description And Duties

Under the general direction of the Behavioral Health Grants Section (BHGS) Chief, the Supervisor I is responsible for the Contracts and Policy Unit (CPU), which serves as the contract liaison between contractors and SUDS, as well as between BHGS and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Contracts Division. The Supervisor I plans, organizes, and directs the work of staff responsible for assisting in developing, operationalizing, and administering the contract and monitoring activities related to the State’s Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF) Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Expansion Project. Duties additionally include overseeing the Unit’s efforts to monitor contractors and grant‑funded programs to determine compliance with project, contract, and agreement requirements, terms, conditions, and services. The Supervisor I will be responsible for the supervision of Analysts. The Supervisor I plans, assigns, and participates in generating policies and procedures, as well as providing training and administrative support, as needed. The Supervisor I interfaces with other state departments, provider organizations, and various stakeholders. Periodic statewide travel is required. This position is subject to the Department's Conflict of Interest Code and filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) when assuming office, annually while in office, and upon leaving office. This classification was previously known as the Staff Services Manager I classification and is now referred to as the Supervisor I classification, effective January 1, 2026.

Working Conditions

Please see the Telework and Salary Information section below for telework, reporting location, and temporary statewide salary reduction details.

Minimum Requirements

• SUPERVISOR I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-525808

Position #(s):

806-451-4800-014

Working Title:

Unit Chief

Classification:

SUPERVISOR I

$7,172.00 - $8,910.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento 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

Simple Application Steps

Education: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include a copy of your diploma/degree and/or unofficial/informal transcripts for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.

Supplemental Application Requirement Section

Applicants must include a Supplemental Application (SA) for this recruitment. You must provide specific information in your response(s) which demonstrates how your knowledge, skills, and training meet the needs of this position. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SA with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SA.

Respond directly to the following Supplemental Application question(s):

• Describe your experience working collaboratively with a team to achieve a goal set by management. Provide an example of how you contributed to solving a challenge encountered by the group.
• Describe your training and work experience that have prepared you to perform the responsibilities of this position. Provide specific examples of your experience in analysis of projects requiring knowledge of established policies and procedures, and the practices you have used to be successful.

Desirable Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; should be able to compose clear, concise, and effective memos, letters, and analyses with a high level of professionalism.
• Strong analytical skills. The candidate should be experienced in reviewing and analyzing documents and/or applications for completeness according to policies, procedures and/or regulations.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills to meet deadlines and manage multiple competing priorities.
• Competency in using essential office software such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Experience in policy, fiscal, and data analysis used to develop statewide policies, procedures, and innovative solutions. Skills with utilizing data to track, evaluate, and increase program performance.
• Ability to plan proactively, respond to adversity effectively, and manage multiple complex issues
• Effective supervisory skills that includes the ability to create a collaborative work environment to achieve program goals.

Benefits

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• 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

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Liza Casey
[phone]
[e-mail]

Reasonable Accommodations: 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]

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: 1501 Capitol Avenue, 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.

Additional Information

Using the online application system as specified in any 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 workplace. 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.