Nursing Surveyor

Job Description and Duties

*Employees appointed to this classification shall receive a Recruitment and Retention Differential of $200 per month.**

Please note: All qualified applicants must possess a valid Registered Nursing (RN) license as required by the Minimum Qualifications of the NS classification. Lower- level licensure, such as that of a Vocational Nurse (LVN) is non-qualifying for this classification.

The Nurse Surveyor (NS) conducts inspections, investigations, surveys, and evaluations of health facilities for conformity with licensing and certification requirements of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and for compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations relating to medical care. Advises healthcare facility administrators and community agencies regarding State health facilities inspection, licensing, and certification programs. Primary responsibility is for uniform application and enforcement of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to areas affecting total patient care such as nursing, physician, restorative, pharmacy, social, dental, and related services. Extensive travel will be required.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Nurse Surveyor Supervisor II.

Please use this link to take the NS Exam:

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 leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Telework Information:

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Special Requirements

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions,  hours worked per week , and  start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control #(526018)  and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application . Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

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 CalCareers Account at Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov  for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or,  a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

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:

ABILITY TO: Reason logically, evaluate relevant data and formulate conclusions, analyze data and present ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing, consult with and advise administrators or other interested parties on a wide variety of subject-matter areas pertaining to the healthcare delivery system, gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work.

SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Ability to take initiative, and work both independently and as a team member. Ability to independently represent the Licensing & Certification Division and the CDPH in a professional manner while in contact with licensed healthcare facility staff, residents, and the public.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Ability to establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with co-workers and the public, interacting with individuals of varying personality types and personal backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Extensive travel to various healthcare facilities in order to conduct surveys, investigations, and evaluations. May require overnight stays, evening, weekend, or holiday surveys. Transportation of manuals and binders to various facilities while conducting survey and investigation activities, which, in total, may exceed 50 pounds. Ability to think and reason in analyzing quantitative and qualitative information. Efficiently perform assigned tasks under demanding and competing deadlines. Ability to comprehend both written and oral information necessary to perform assigned tasks and complete assigned objectives.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions:

PLEASE NOTE : Resumes, letters, Supplemental Questionnaire, transcripts, degrees, your state application, cover letters and other materials will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.   Simply copying and pasting your resume will also not be accepted. Applications received without an SOQ may be rejected.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please provide answers to the questions below, with question 1 answer in an essay format.

Statement of Qualifications  Instructions:

1)  Please describe your knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the position.

2)  Please describe your registered nursing experience and/or clinical residency experience. Include the start and end dates (month and year) for each job, duties performed, level of responsibility, and community and/or clients served. 

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see Statement of Qualifications instructions below at end of posting .  Any applications received that  do not provide a written response to the SOQ may be rejected .