Health Program Specialist I - Hybrid Telework

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in making a difference in the mental health field with developing new programs throughout California, while achieving your professional development goals? If so, please consider joining the Diversion and Community Restoration Unit within the Department of State Hospitals. We are seeking a candidate who enjoys learning, providing exceptional customer service, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, creating new procedures, and is passionate about assisting DCR contractors with implementing new programs to serve the justice involved population.

Under the direction of the Health Program Manager I (HPM I) the Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) serves as a subject matter expert for the Department’s Felony Mental Health Diversion (Diversion), Community-Based Restoration (CBR), and Community Inpatient Facility (CIF) programs. The HPS I serves as a highly skilled technical consultant in contract and fiscal management and program implementation activities to ensure departmental compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing programs. Statewide travel required.

***Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• A hybrid Telework schedule, consistent with the State of California's in-office requirement, may be considered with prior approval from management.
• The State’s Commute Programs provide bicycle, mass transit and vanpool incentives to eligible state employees. The State’s mass transit incentive pays 100% of the transit pass up to the IRS maximum of $340 per month in 2026.
• Up to 10% travel is required.
• DSH-Sacramento is located at an 11-floor high rise buildin g.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

***While US mail applications are still accepted, applying electronically through your CalCareers account is strongly encouraged.***

NOTE: If applying by mail, please do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 10) with your completed State Application (STD 678).  This page is for examination use only.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.

Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification, resumes and/or Statements of Qualifications do not take the place of the STD 678. You must clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (i.e., list, transfer, SROA/Surplus, reinstatement, etc.), classification title, position number, and job control number in the Examination/Job Title section. 

*** Foreign Degrees or Transcripts – Applicants with foreign degrees or transcripts who wish to apply that coursework toward meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which his/her foreign coursework is equivalent. DSH accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the services listed on these webpages:

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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 acting as a team and project lead
• Experience with contract development, oversight, monitoring and compliance
• Experience with budget management and/or funding allocation
• Experience in assisting in the development of new programs
• Experience in developing policies and procedures
• Experience providing technical assistance and training to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong analytical, communication, and writing skills
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Benefits

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

Sick Leave, Vacation Leave, 11 Paid State Holidays, one (1), eight (8) hours, Paid Personal Holiday and two (2), (16) hours, Paid Professional Development Days (PDD) per fiscal year; excellent Health, Vision and Dental insurance plans; Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts; an Employee Assistance Program; Alternate Workweek Schedules and Flextime; and, enrollment in the CalPERS retirement system.

Statement of Qualifications

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate your qualifications. SOQs will be evaluated based on the content and writing ability, using standardized rating criteria. All information in the SOQ is subject to verification. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ that meets the requirements listed below will not be considered. A Resume or Cover Letter cannot be submitted in place of the SOQ.

The SOQ document should be no longer than one page, single-spaced, typed in Arial size 12 font, with 1-inch margins. The applicant should include their name and JC number in the header of the document and list the questions below before each response. Applicants who fail to follow the instructions as requested (i.e. respond to questions asked), may be disqualified.

1. Describe your professional experience in contract development, oversight, monitoring, and/or compliance. In your response, provide specific examples that detail your role, the types of contracts you managed, the monitoring methods you used, and how you ensured adherence to regulatory standards and contract terms.
2. Describe the most challenging and complex project you have been involved with. What was your role and how did you keep it moving forward?

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see our Work4CA guide (hyperlink: and video Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) (hyperlink:

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.
• Other -

  Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on a pattern of education from classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your Master's Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Hospital Administration, Comprehensive Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position.

  Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on experience, must state that in the bypass notes for this requirement.

• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see the Statement of Qualifications section at the bottom of this job advertisement for more details.

  Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Applicants who fail to submit the SOQ, as requested (i.e. respond to questions asked), may be disqualified.