Nutrition Program Specialist

Job Description and Duties

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

About this Role

Under the general direction of the Nutrition and Wellness Section (NWS) Supervisor, the Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) serves as a technical and program specialist supporting the Title III C-1 Congregate Meals and Title III C-2 Home-Delivered Meals components of the Older Californians Nutrition Program (OCNP). The HPS I has lead responsibility for assigned project management, policy and regulation development, programmatic oversight, technical assistance, training, research, and program improvement activities.

The HPS I works collaboratively with NWS staff, other California Department of Aging (CDA) divisions and programs, California’s 33 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), nutrition service providers, and other state and federal partners. The position exercises a high degree of independence and professional judgment in analyzing complex program issues, identifying potential impacts, developing recommendations, and supporting consistent statewide implementation of nutrition program requirements.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with the California Department of Aging must apply and compete through the State recruitment process (3 Steps To A State Job ). Applicants who successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list used to recruit for positions.

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement: CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination, except when your list eligibility expires. For questions regarding the examination process and/or career opportunities with the California Department of Aging, please contact the Human Resources Branch at View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Employees are currently required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

The physical work location of the position is designated at the department's headquarters location, a three-story building and standard office modular workspace located in Sacramento (Natomas). The duties of the position require sitting for long periods of time while using a personal computer, reviewing documents, and attending meetings whether they are digital (i.e., Zoom, WebEx, MS Teams, etc.) or in person.

Up to 25% statewide travel may be required to support AAAs through program development, technical assistance, training, monitoring, and on-site reviews of nutrition and health programs.

Special Requirements

This position is designated under the  Conflict of Interest Code . The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete  Form 700within 30 days of appointment and once per year. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment. 

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:

• Experience with nutrition, aging, public health, food service, or other health and human services programs.
• Knowledge of nutrition services and the nutritional needs of older adults.
• Experience researching, analyzing, interpreting, or implementing federal or state laws, regulations, policies, or program requirements.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, program guidance, standards, technical assistance resources, or training materials.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex programmatic issues, identify potential impacts, and develop well-supported recommendations.
• Experience providing technical assistance, consultation, or training to governmental agencies, community-based organizations, contractors, service providers, or other external partners.
• Experience managing projects involving multiple assignments, deadlines, stakeholders, or competing priorities.
• Ability to communicate complex requirements clearly and effectively to audiences with varying levels of program knowledge.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and well-organized policies, guidance, reports, correspondence, presentations, and other professional documents.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment while working collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize assignments and produce accurate, timely, and high-quality work products.
• Experience analyzing program data, monitoring findings, or other information to identify trends, compliance concerns, service gaps, or opportunities for improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other standard business applications.
• Education or professional experience in nutrition, dietetics, public health, or a related field is desirable.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials are desirable but not required.

Benefits

In addition to competitive public employee wages and a comprehensive benefits package, our employees enjoy meaningful and interesting work that supports access to programs and services that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout California.

To learn more about benefits for State employees, visit the  Benefit Summary page on the CalHR website.

CDA is located near downtown with easy access to I-5 and I-80. Employees enjoy a great team environment,  FREE PARKING , and convenient access to dining and shopping in the Natomas area.

Statement of Qualifications Instructions

1. Describe your education, training, and professional experience that has prepared you to provide program oversight, technical assistance, and support for nutrition, aging, or other health and human services programs. Include specific examples of your responsibilities and the populations or programs you supported.

2. Describe your experience researching, analyzing, or interpreting laws, regulations, policies, or complex program requirements. Provide a specific example of how you translated those requirements into a policy, procedure, guidance document, recommendation, training, or other resource that could be implemented by others.

3. Describe a complex project or initiative you were responsible for planning, coordinating, or leading that involved multiple stakeholders or competing priorities. Explain your role, how you organized and managed the work, how you communicated or provided technical assistance to stakeholders, and the outcome of the project. 

Note: Resumes, cover letters, and other materials will not be accepted in place of the SOQ. Applications submitted without the SOQ will be considered incomplete and may not be considered for the position.

The SOQ must be written solely by you and should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate your qualifications based upon your own experience/education. Any submissions that are created, modified or include any type of artificial intelligence may be disqualified.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Statement of Qualifications Instructions section below for instructions.