Job Posting: Chief, Laboratory Field Services Branch

Department of Public Health

JC-506839
-
Chief, Laboratory Field Services Branch
C. E. A.

$10,349.00 - $12,526.00 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: 3/6/2026

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the CDPH mission and strategic plan by managing the LFS Branch to ensure the state laboratory personnel and facilities licensing and registration programs follow state policies, procedures, laws, and regulations and are consistent with the Department’s vision and goals for public health in California.

The Branch Chief of the LFS Branch provides strategic leadership, planning, guidance and oversight to ensure the effective regulation, licensing, and monitoring of clinical laboratories, laboratory personnel, blood and tissue facilities, and certification programs throughout California. This role is essential to upholding the LFS mission of ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and safety of laboratory testing, which directly supports the broader public health goals of the CDPH. Through policy development, program management, and stakeholder engagement, the Branch Chief ensures that laboratory services meet the highest standards of quality and public safety.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Director of the State Public Health Laboratory, the Deputy Director of the CLS.

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

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-506839
Position #(s):
580-750-7500-909
Working Title:
Chief, Laboratory Field Services Branch
Classification:
C. E. A.
$10,349.00 - $12,526.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Contra Costa County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

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 perspectives and skills you bring to our team and the work we do.

California’s population is the most diverse in the world, including immigrants from sixty countries with over 200 languages spoken or read in the State. CDPH is a state department comprised of over 200 programs and 4000 staff who seek to improve the health and well-being of all Californians.

The CDPH programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year. The essential functions of CDPH are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.  

CDPH is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies in all aspects of employment to create an environment that is welcoming to all individuals. 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.

Located on an extensive 29-acre property in Richmond’s Marina Bay, the Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) operates at the Richmond Campus, employing more than 1,200 professionals dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Californians. CLS drives innovation and collaboration in infectious disease and environmental testing, providing critical investigation and surveillance activities that form the foundation of disease response and prevention efforts. By integrating emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications, CLS enhances coordination, support, and leadership within the public health laboratory system at the state, local, and national levels.

The Laboratory Field Services (LFS) Branch is dedicated to protecting the health of our state’s residents by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of clinical and public health laboratory testing.  This mission is carried out through rigorous licensure, inspection, proficiency testing, and oversight of clinical and public health laboratories, tissue banks, biologics facilities, and blood banks. Additionally, LFS supervises the education, training, examination, and licensure of laboratory personnel to uphold the highest standards in laboratory sciences.

Please be aware this is a hybrid position.  It requires four days a week in the office after the in-person training is complete.

Richmond campus offers secure FREE parking and has FREE charging stations!

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: 3/6/2026

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:

Department of Public Health
Exam Mailing
Attn: Examination Services
P.O. Box 997378
MS 1700-1702
Sacramento, CA 95899-7378

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Public Health
Exam Mailing
Examination Services
P.O. Box 997378
MS 1700-1702
Sacramento, CA 95899-7378
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 required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Is a narrative discussion regarding how the applicant’s education, training, experience, and skills meets the minimum qualificationsfor the position. In addition, the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to presentinformation clearly and concisely in writing. Cover letter and resume do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Please see instructions below.
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:
  • Strategic Leadership & Oversight
    Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership, planning, and oversight for large-scale, complex, or multi-faceted programs.
  • Operational Management
    Proven ability to manage daily operations, including licensing, inspections, and enforcement actions.
  • Communication Skills
    Strong oral and written communication skills for effectively interacting with internal and external stakeholders, as well as state leadership.
  • Regulatory & Policy Expertise
    Experience interpreting complex regulations and implementing policy improvements to ensure compliance with public health and safety standards.
  • Decision-Making & Confidentiality
    Ability to work under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and handle confidential matters with discretion.
  • Budget & Legislative Knowledge
    Experience with state budgetary processes, legislative analysis, and personnel management.
  • Analytical & Data-Driven Approach
    Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret program data, performance metrics, and research to drive improvements.
  • Government Process Navigation
    Skilled in navigating government processes to develop oral and written materials, including presentations, and/or provide legislative testimony on statewide policy related to public health programs.
  • Problem-Solving & Innovation
    Ability to reason logically and creatively while compiling relevant information to achieve the Department’s mission and resolve complex problems.
  • Situational Analysis & Action
    Capacity to analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
  • Process Improvement Knowledge
    Demonstrated understanding of process improvement methodologies.
  • Program & Policy Development
    Ability to develop and implement programs, administrative policies, and procedures.

Examination Information

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responses must be typed in Arial 12-point font be no more than five pages (one page per question) in length. Please address each question with specific examples from your own experience. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents do not replace the SOQ. Applicants who fail to submit the SOQ may be disqualified from the selection process. The five SOQ questions are as follows:

  1. Describe your experience providing strategic leadership and vision to a complex regulatory, licensing, or public health program. How would you apply this experience to lead the LFS Branch in upholding the accuracy, reliability, and safety of laboratory testing throughout California?
  2. The LFS Branch oversees licensing and monitoring of clinical laboratories, blood banks, tissue banks, biologics facilities, and laboratory personnel. Describe your experience with interpreting and enforcing complex state and federal regulations such as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments CLIA. Provide an example of a time you improved a compliance or auditing process to ensure higher standards of public safety.
  3. Describe your experience in developing, evaluating, and implementing health policies or programs. How do you approach the challenge of updating regulatory policies to align with emerging laboratory technologies while ensuring continued safety and compliance?
  4. As Branch Chief, you will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including laboratory directors, industry professionals, and state/local partners. Describe a situation where you had to lead a contentious stakeholder meeting or facilitate consensus among groups with conflicting interests. What was the outcome?
  5. Describe your experience in managing a branch or department’s operations, including overseeing personnel and resources. How have you, or would you, approach analyzing LFS Branch resource utilization to ensure efficiency, quality, and responsiveness to California's public health needs?

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

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
Liliya Trofimuk
(279) 217-0744
liliya.trofimuk@cdph.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Dr. Jeffrey Schapiro
(510) 660-9220

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 445-0938
CivilRights@Cdph.CA.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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