Senior Program Specialist | HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is committed to effectively delivering essential public health services directly and/or thorough strong and effective partnership. CDPH is a nationally accredited health department—mobilizing communities and institutions to transform policies and systems toward a culture of equity, antiracism, healing and health for all people and our planet.

CDPH continues to build and strengthen a work culture where all employees are inspired to share their talents and ideas, to become part of a team that works to better serve the needs of California’s diverse communities by delivering innovative solutions and quality resources. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees are included, treated with dignity and respect, and in a position to contribute to protecting the health of all Californians.

“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”  

“CDPH is an E-Verify Employer”  
Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by leading or co-leading equity and strategic alignment activities in the Center for Healthy Communities, Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch (NPAB), whose vision is well-nourished, physically active Californians living in healthy communities.

The Health Program Specialist serves as a highly skilled, technical public health consultant. Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates major statewide programs, initiatives, and policies that support community-based and public health approaches to improve nutrition security and health outcomes for Californians. Identifies, develops, and fosters partnerships and leads initiatives to advance nutrition and physical activity policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes, Assists leadership in planning and implementation of healthy eating and physical activity strategies, to drive state-level nutrition and physical activity interventions and evaluation of impacts in accordance with state and federal funding requirements.

This position serves as a subject matter expert and project lead for initiatives related to healthy eating interventions and ultra-processed foods. This position supports legislative analysis, supports and leads regulation development and updates, coordination with contractors, drafts legislative reports, and represents the NPAB in convenings with internal and external partners. This position supports NPAB initiatives by drafting responses to public inquiries and assisting in the creation of training and technical assistance materials. Travel is an essential function of this position and may be required up to 15 percent of the time.

If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin:

https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1191

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of le

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

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:

• Knowledge of and experience with policy, systems, and environmental change strategies as it relates to public health interventions.
• Knowledge of and experience with strategies to address healthy eating and nutrition security.
• Knowledge of and experience with planning, conducting, evaluating public health interventions, specifically obesity prevention, nutrition- and food-system related interventions.
• Knowledge of ultra processed food consumption impact on health and interventions to address consumption.
• Experience providing training and technical assistance on planning, conducting and evaluating public health interventions, specifically obesity prevention, nutrition- and/or food system-related interventions.   
• Detail oriented, organized, ability to multi-task.
• Excellent writing, listening, presentation, and time management skills.
• Excellent public speaking and meeting facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.

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=513583

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.

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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