Vendor Analysis, Research, and Evaluation Section Chief (Social/Behavioral Sciences)

CDPH is currently hiring a Vendor Analysis, Research and Evaluation (VARE) Section Chief (Research Scientist Supervisor I) within our Center for Family Health’s (CFH) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Division! 

In this role, you will lead the VARE Section in the research, analysis, monitoring, evaluating, reporting and dissemination of WIC vendor, program and policy data to support efforts to maximize the utilization of benefits by WIC-eligible individuals, address racial and health equity issues and maximize positive programmatic health and nutrition outcomes. Additionally, you will be responsible for assessing and leveraging Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) data to monitor California’s progress in meeting goals and objectives, including developing a data analytics plan to contain program costs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads research analysis, monitoring, evaluating, reporting, and dissemination of WIC vendor, program, and policy data to support efforts to maximize the utilization of benefits by WIC-eligible individuals, address racial and health equity issues, and maximize positive programmatic health and nutrition outcomes

• Develops and implements a Data Analytics Plan with research staff to maximize use of WIC vendor and programmatic data to inform project priorities, goals and objectives to ensure the effectiveness of WIC program activities

• Works collaboratively with multiple areas of the WIC Division to identify and provide EBT data to understand WIC benefit utilization, program cost, and behavioral trends to inform program and policy changes that address demographic and geographic disparities, racial and health inequities, and provides opportunities to improve service delivery to better meet the needs of WIC participants

• Oversees development of a vendor monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure the structure fairly reimburses vendors while meeting the federal cost containment and competitiveness requirements

• Plans, organizes, and directs major scientific research studies of a broad scientific scope and complexity to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the WIC program

• Collaborates with and builds data literacy with internal and external partners to support data-informed decision making, such as other CDPH programs to develop a comprehensive and integrated structure that monitors services and trends in California

• Develops and provides data and indicators to monitor California’s progress in meeting goals and objectives to improve the health of California’s women, infants, and children, as well as the goals and objectives of CDPH, Center for Family Health, and the WIC Division

• Provides stewardship of WIC data to ensure it is accessible, usable, safe, and trusted by assuring compliance with state and federal policies and data reporting requirements, and overseeing the data activities to comply with the federally mandated, triennial vendor cost containment assessment

• Develops and invests in the talent and strengths of their team by fostering an engaged and supported team by using a strength-based approach to determine training needs for new and existing staff; identifying and promoting continuing staff development and specialized training; evaluating performance of staff in a timely manner; coaching and mentoring staff, including the development of work plans; and monitoring work progress

• Supports and collaborates on program integrity initiatives to monitor program activities to safeguard the WIC program from program abuse by assessing the redemption patterns of WIC authorized vendors and farmers, and the development and application of a systematic and data-driven methodology to ensure the integrity of the cost containment and reimbursement system

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years of professional scientific research experience in any of the stated specialties or in a closely related specialty, which shall include at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Research Scientist Staff and possession of a master’s or doctoral degree in any of the stated specialties or in a closely related specialty.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills including reviewing and editing documents
• Public health and program planning, management, and evaluation of public health or community programs
• Analyzing complex situations and providing guidance to subordinates and colleagues
• Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
• Leading workgroups, projects, teams, and other managers
• Communicating effectively with various levels of staff and the general public
• Creating processes and procedures based on policies and regulations
• Analyzing and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of program, policies, regulations, and/or procedures as they relate to community outreach programs
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting various forms of data
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues

Experience In:

• Facilities management, business operations, and procurement administration

• Coordinating with others to accomplish work-related assignments

• Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment

Knowledge Of:

• State and federal policies and regulations as it related to the WIC program or other public assistance programs

• Project management methodology

• Data-driven decision-making techniques

• Public health principles

• Leadership techniques

About California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

At 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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