Job Posting: Associate Director, Office of Program Support

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

JC-528650
-
Associate Director, Office of Program Support
C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 9/1/2026

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and strategic executive leader to serve as the Associate Director, Office of Program Support within the Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP). This executive leadership opportunity offers the ability to shape and strengthen the administrative, fiscal, technological and outreach functions that support one of the Department's most impactful divisions. 

The Office of Program Support serves as the operational backbone for DRP, providing centralized administrative services, business operations, fiscal oversight, technology solutions, and strategic communications that enable rehabilitation and education programs to effectively fulfill the Department's mission. Through executive leadership and cross-functional collaboration, this area ensures the resources, infrastructure, and support systems are in place for DRP programs to operate efficiently across headquarters, institutions, and communities statewide.

The ideal candidate is a visionary executive with demonstrated experience leading complex administrative operations, coordinating data reporting, managing multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaborative partnerships, and driving organizational innovation. This leader will possess exceptional strategic planning, fiscal management, communication, and executive leadership skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities while advancing the division's mission of improving outcomes through rehabilitation, education, and evidence-based programming.

Please note: main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

To learn more about this rare and exciting leadership opportunity, please contact the Executive Recruiter, Amber Wolff, by email at amber.wolff@cdcr.ca.gov or by phone at (279) 210-3458.

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit M01, and related Excluded, Exempt, and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.

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-528650
Position #(s):
065-227-7500-002
Working Title:
Associate Director, Office of Program Support
Classification:
C. E. A.
$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

Vision

We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Commitment

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workplace. We are determined to attract and hire more candidates from diverse communities and empower all employees from a variety of cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

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

Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP) website: Division of Rehabilitative Programs (ca.gov)

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission. 

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Candidates new to CDCR are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, and Tuberculosis testing prior to appointment followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate's identify and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to www.e-verify.gov.

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

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: 9/1/2026

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 Corrections & Rehabilitation
EAU- Postal
Attn: Amber Wolff
Executive Appointments Unit
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
EAU - Drop-off
Amber Wolff
9825 Goethe Rd. Application Drop Box
(Drop off not available weekends and holidays)
Sacramento, CA 95827
Suite 200
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 - A Statement of Qualifications is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications" section below for specific requirements. 
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:

(1) 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.

 

(2) 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. Ability to analyze complex problems, recommend and coordinate effective courses of action, and develop and implement policies and procedures; ability to make independent, sound, ethical decisions regarding highly sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality. 

2. Experience and knowledge of the state's budget process, overseeing state authorized funds and expenditures, and the state's Budget Change Proposal process.

3. Experience in personnel management and supervision which demonstrates the ability to organize, direct, and manage large groups consisting of multi-disciplined staff; knowledge and experience in employee/labor relations process; employee progressive disciplinary process; knowledge of the manager's role in providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in the workplace and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

4. Ability to perform major policy-influencing functions effectively and contribute to the design and implementation of effective programs for a large Department.

5. Experience managing a large fiscal operating budget ($250 million or higher) within governmental programs.

6. Experience in an Executive capacity with responsibility for program administration, policy development, and data reporting.

7. Experience in representing a department/division effectively before the Legislature, control agencies, local governments, and other State agencies on policy and program level issues, and developing cooperative working relationships with representatives from all levels of State government.

Examination Information

This examination will consist of a review by an executive screening committee of the candidates' Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Candidates will be competitively ranked according to their qualifications using predetermined evaluation criteria consistent with the minimum and desirable qualification for the position. An SOQ is a narrative discussion addressing specific statements, of which are aligned with the desirable qualifications of the position, that demonstrate the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each candidates' ability to present information clearly  and concisely in writing. 

Statement of Qualifications Examination Instructions: 

All interested applicants must submit a completed SOQ with their application package. 

  • The SOQ must not be more than three (3) pages in length, should be single-spaced and typed in 11-point Century Gothic font. 
  • The SOQ must be numbered and formatted to include the specific question followed by responses that include detailed examples of your experience. 
  1. Describe your experience overseeing state or federal funded authority and expenditures, fiscal requirements, personnel management, business operations, invoice coordination, procurement, and administrative related drills. Include specific examples, years of experience, the types of stakeholders involved, and how you implemented solutions that improved organizational effectiveness and accountability through these experiences. 
  2. Describe your experience representing a department or organization before the Legislature, control agencies, local governments, executive leadership, and other state or external stakeholders on policy, operational, and programmatic issues. Include a specific complex issue you were assigned and the result that required you to influence decision-making, build collaborative partnerships, and achieve organizational objectives while maintaining effective working relationships across all levels of government. 
  3. Describe your experience in managing a department or organization's data management systems, the methods uses for assessing data integrity, and the staff development conducted to ensure multiple layers of review and coordination for data validation. 
  4. Describe your method(s) for ensuring all assignments are tracked, coordinated, and reviewed timely to meet requested deadlines along with your role in staff development and oversight when leading and managing diverse, multidisciplinary teams in a complex organization. Include examples demonstrating your ability to establish strategic priorities, direct organizational change, develop leaders, promote accountability and employee engagement, and foster a high-performing workforce.
Please note: Applicants who fail to submit a Statement of Qualifications will be eliminated from the examination. Resumes do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. 

For additional information on how to complete an SOQ, please visit our executive careers website at: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/careers/career-opportunities/exams-executive/ or you may reach out to the recruiter, Amber Wolff, by email at amber.wolff@cdcr.ca.gov or by phone at (279) 210-3458. 

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

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Salary and Benefits website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/salary-and-benefits.aspx.

 

Information regarding Merit System Principles provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Training/Pages/ performancemanagement-merit-system-principles.aspx.


Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx.  

 

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.


Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Amber Wolff
(279) 210-3458
amber.wolff@cdcr.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 Civil Rights
(916) 255-0458
M_CivilRights@cdcr.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