Health Program Specialist I | HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

Are you looking to join an exciting, dedicated team of professionals that work to improve the health and well-being of babies and families in California? To accomplish its mission of protecting and improving the health of all Californians. We run the largest screening program in the world and set the standard in delivering high-quality, cost-effective genetic services to all Californians. The mission of the Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP) is “To serve the people of California by reducing the emotional and financial burden of disability and death caused by genetic and congenital disorders.”

CDPH’s success in fulfilling our mission arises from the differences in who we are, how we think, and what we experience. It is these differences that best form policies, develop resources, and deliver services to serve California's diverse communities.

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.

*The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

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=1192

This Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP) position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by enhancing services for newborns with serious treatable genetic disorders.  

The candidate functions as a highly skilled technical program consultant, administrative lead, and liaison for state contracted Special Care Centers (SCC) that provide medical services to newborns found to be screen-positive for one or more disorders followed by the NBS program; these include sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, endocrine, immunologic, metabolic, and/or neuromuscular conditions.   

The Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) works under the direction of the Health Program Manager I, Newborn Screening (NBS) Follow-up and Contracts Unit Chief.

This position involves travel (less than 5% of the time) for possible meetings and site visits.

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

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 lead and manage multiple projects with attention to detail.
• Equity-minded and sensitive to diverse populations.
• Excellent writing skills.
• MS Excel Level 2 or 3 proficiency.
• Ability to foster relationships with agency partners.
• Experience in training others in policies, procedures, and workflow.
• Experience in training others in use of case-based software.
• Experience in coordinating, documenting & hosting large online meetings.
• Experience in monitoring government contract Scope of Work compliance.
• Fundamental understanding of Genetics and Public Health initiatives is preferred.
• Experience in assessing quality of curriculum delivery and content quality updates preferred.

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=497193

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 team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.