Chief, Laboratory Field Services Branch | C. E. A.

California’s population is the most diverse in the world, including immigrants from sixty countries with over 200 languages spoken or read in the State. CDPH is a state department comprised of over 200 programs and 4000 staff who seek to improve the health and well-being of all Californians.

The CDPH programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year. The essential functions of CDPH are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.  

CDPH is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies in all aspects of employment to create an environment that is welcoming to all individuals. 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.

Located on an extensive 29-acre property in Richmond’s Marina Bay, the Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) operates at the Richmond Campus, employing more than 1,200 professionals dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Californians. CLS drives innovation and collaboration in infectious disease and environmental testing, providing critical investigation and surveillance activities that form the foundation of disease response and prevention efforts. By integrating emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications, CLS enhances coordination, support, and leadership within the public health laboratory system at the state, local, and national levels.

The Laboratory Field Services (LFS) Branch is dedicated to protecting the health of our state’s residents by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of clinical and public health laboratory testing.  This mission is carried out through rigorous licensure, inspection, proficiency testing, and oversight of clinical and public health laboratories, tissue banks, biologics facilities, and blood banks. Additionally, LFS supervises the education, training, examination, and licensure of laboratory personnel to uphold the highest standards in laboratory sciences.

Please be aware this is a hybrid position.  It requires four days a week in the office after the in-person training is complete.

Richmond campus offers secure FREE parking and has FREE charging stations!

This position supports the CDPH mission and strategic plan by managing the LFS Branch to ensure the state laboratory personnel and facilities licensing and registration programs follow state policies, procedures, laws, and regulations and are consistent with the Department’s vision and goals for public health in California.

The Branch Chief of the LFS Branch provides strategic leadership, planning, guidance and oversight to ensure the effective regulation, licensing, and monitoring of clinical laboratories, laboratory personnel, blood and tissue facilities, and certification programs throughout California. This role is essential to upholding the LFS mission of ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and safety of laboratory testing, which directly supports the broader public health goals of the CDPH. Through policy development, program management, and stakeholder engagement, the Branch Chief ensures that laboratory services meet the highest standards of quality and public safety.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

• C. E. A.

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:

• Strategic Leadership & Oversight
  Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership, planning, and oversight for large-scale, complex, or multi-faceted programs.
• Operational Management
  Proven ability to manage daily operations, including licensing, inspections, and enforcement actions.
• Communication Skills
  Strong oral and written communication skills for effectively interacting with internal and external stakeholders, as well as state leadership.
• Regulatory & Policy Expertise
  Experience interpreting complex regulations and implementing policy improvements to ensure compliance with public health and safety standards.
• Decision-Making & Confidentiality
  Ability to work under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Budget & Legislative Knowledge
  Experience with state budgetary processes, legislative analysis, and personnel management.
• Analytical & Data-Driven Approach
  Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret program data, performance metrics, and research to drive improvements.
• Government Process Navigation
  Skilled in navigating government processes to develop oral and written materials, including presentations, and/or provide legislative testimony on statewide policy related to public health programs.
• Problem-Solving & Innovation
  Ability to reason logically and creatively while compiling relevant information to achieve the Department’s mission and resolve complex problems.
• Situational Analysis & Action
  Capacity to analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Process Improvement Knowledge
  Demonstrated understanding of process improvement methodologies.
• Program & Policy Development
  Ability to develop and implement programs, administrative policies, and procedures.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=506839

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting team members, we welcome the unique perspectives and skills you bring to our team and the work we do.

About California Department of Public Health

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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