Job Posting: Health Program Specialist I – Hybrid Telework

Department of State Hospitals

JC-526600
-
Health Program Specialist I – Hybrid Telework
HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

$6,623.00 - $8,290.00 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: 8/11/2026

Job Description and Duties

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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: DSH Recruitment Survey

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

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 building.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-526600
Position #(s):
461-443-8338-003
Working Title:
Health Program Specialist I – Hybrid Telework
Classification:
HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I
$6,623.00 - $8,290.00
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Department of State Hospitals
1215 O Street, MS 17
Sacramento, CA 95814

The mission of the Department of State Hospitals is to provide evaluation and treatment in a safe and responsible manner, seeking innovation and excellence in hospital operations, across a continuum of care and settings.

DSH-Sacramento has moved into a modern, sustainable and innovative office building located at 1215 “O” Street, Sacramento, California. Some of the amenities of the new building include the following:

  • First-floor retail space (separate access from 12th Street)
  • Café with multiple vendors available to the public
  • Outdoor seating with pedestrian walkways
  • Large, shared conference room on the first floor with a maximum capacity of 162 individuals
  • An employee fitness center with a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights
  • Plaza area with a kitchenette on each floor
  • Lactation rooms
  • More conference rooms and collaborative working spaces available throughout the building – small, medium and large
  • Shared Terrace space on the 10th floor with indoor/outdoor seating and views of the Capitol
  • Mobile computer equipment, cloud-based technology and Wi-Fi for all staff
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

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:

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: 8/11/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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 State Hospitals
Hooman Akhavan
Attn: Hooman Akhavan
1215 O Street, MS-17
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of State Hospitals
Hooman Akhavan
Hooman Akhavan
1215 O Street, MS-17
Sacramento, CA 95814
Application drop-off locations may be non-operational during weekends and holidays.
08:30 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.
  • 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.
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.

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.

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Hooman Akhavan
(916) 909-0657
SacClassificationandPay@dsh.ca.gov

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:
Office of Human Rights
(916) 573-2727
dsh.eeo@dsh.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.

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: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/361/2025/05/FINAL-Candidate-SOQ-Guidance-1.pdf) and video Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) (hyperlink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA-mGmyx1TY).

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