Health Program Specialist II (HPS II)
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=1191
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by promoting health and wellness, incorporating health equity strategies in programs and practices, and mobilizing partnerships to strengthen collective impact. The position serves as part of a multidisciplinary team that implements local and statewide maternal morbidity and mortality surveillance reviews to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers, infants, children, adolescents, and children and youth with special health care needs and their families.
The incumbent works under the general direction of the Health Program Manager II (HPM II), Chief of the Maternal Mortality/Morbidity and Local MCAH Program Support (MMPS) Section. The incumbent supports Local Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) programs to address the needs of California’s diverse populations through an array of programs, partnerships, and initiatives, and the MMPS team supports the California Omnibus Act (SB 65) which aims to promote health and equity, inform and translate data-into-action, integrate community-informed prevention opportunities, and enhances the development of strategies to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity.
The Health Program Specialist II position collaborates closely with teams at the State MCAH Division, Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs), and partners in other programs at the Federal, State, and local levels, as well as other interested parties such as friends and families. 10% in-state travel is required to attend conferences, meetings, and trainings
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.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment
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 Duty Statement.