Job Posting: Assistant Secretary

Ca Health & Human Services Agency

JC-513242
-
Assistant Secretary
C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 4/16/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Assistant Secretary reports to the Deputy Secretary of Program and Fiscal Affairs at the Health and Human Services Agency and serves as a member of the Secretary's Executive Staff.  The incumbent formulates, analyzes, revises, interprets, and evaluates program and fiscal policies for multiple departments under the jurisdiction of the Health and Human Services Agency. The Assistant Secretary also serves as chief coordinator of programs critical to the mission of the Agency that may include health care reform, health care services, social services, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment services, public health services, income assistance, and services to people with disabilities.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position is being advertised in Sacramento County with a Headquarter Location at 1215 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with CalHHS policies.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-513242
Position #(s):
799-101-7500-005
799-101-7500-001
Working Title:
Assistant Secretary
Classification:
C. E. A.
$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

The California Health and Human Services Agency(CalHHS) oversees twelve departments and five offices thatprovide a range of health care services, social services, mentalhealth services, alcohol and drug services, income assistance, and public health services to Californians from all walks of life. Morethan 34,000 people work for departments in CalHHS at stateheadquarters in Sacramento, regional offices throughout the state,state institutions and residential facilities serving the mentally ill andpeople with developmental disabilities. CalHHS is fully committed tothe vision that "All Californians, especially those most at risk or inneed, have the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life asmeasured by the sound physical, mental and financial health ofchildren, adolescents and adults; strong and well-functioningfamilies; safe and sustainable communities; and dignity for all.

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

Special Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing an Examination/EmploymentApplication (STD 678). Applicants who do not submit a SOQ and follow the instructions listed below may be eliminated from the examination process.


Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 4/16/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Ca Health & Human Services Agency
Mail option
Attn: Jessica Alvarado, Dept. Social Services, CEA & Exempt Unit
P. O. Box 944243, MS 8-15-58
Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Ca Health & Human Services Agency
Drop off option
Jessica Alvarado, Dept. Social Services, CEA & Exempt Unit
Department of Social Services
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

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:
  1. Knowledge of and demonstrated effectiveness in formulating, developing and implementing health and/or public social initiatives and policies. More weight will be given to experience with health and human services issues facing California’s population.
  2. Ability to effectively communicate the CalHHS Agency’s policies, priorities, and initiatives both orally and in writing.
  3. Clear and demonstrated understanding and knowledge of the legislative process and associated protocols.
  4. Interpersonal skills, including working effectively and in partnership with CalHHS departments and executive staff, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Finance, California State Legislators and legislative staff, Legislative Analyst’s Office, stakeholders and outside organizations, and the ability to effectively represent Agency’s executive position, policy and perspectives, and successfully negotiate policy positions with these entities.
  5. Demonstrated knowledge of both state and federal funding process, policies and procedures, including state budget proposals, both augmentation and reductions.
  6. Demonstrated experience working on major health or human services policy issues such as health care reform, health care services, social services, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment services, public health services, income assistance, and services to people with disabilities.

Examination Information

The examination process will consist of a thorough evaluation of the applicant's SOQ. Please note there is not a separate online examination for the CEA classification.

The SOQ will be used to evaluate your qualifications as they relate to the Desirable Qualifications listed above and will also serve as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing, as this is a critical factor for successful job performance. The SOQ will be the only basis for your final score and rank on the eligible list.

The SOQ is a description of how an applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities meet the Desirable Qualifications section below for this position. When completing the SOQ, applicants must follow the below guidelines: 

  • Responses must be typed and limited to no more than three (3) pages in length, with one-inch margins
  • Font size no smaller than Arial 12
  • Only address each of the six (6) Desirable Qualifications in a numbered format

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!? The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job