Special Assistant to Deputy Director | HEALTH Program Specialist II

About the Department

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in California, and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. The Department's 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.

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.

The CLS is based on the Richmond Campus, which employs more than 1,200 people. The Richmond Campus is a flat, 29-acre property located in Richmond's Marina Bay. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention.

It brings together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications, reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. The Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success.

* The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

* The CDPH is an E-Verify employer.

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The Health Program Specialist II (HPS II), acting as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Director, participates in technically complex and politically sensitive special projects and activities assigned by the Deputy Director. The HPS II provides support and comprehensive CLS coordination necessary to meet the goals and objectives established by CLS. The role offers guidance and expertise in highly complex, critical, and sensitive subject areas with multi‑departmental or statewide impact, requiring a high level of skills and knowledge and a responsibility for work related to the department’s primary mission.

The HPS II assists with overall technical and business practices, the workflow of the department’s programs, and provides assistance regarding sensitive division issues and relieves the Deputy Director of routine administrative tasks and responsibilities.

Minimum Requirements are detailed in the Class Specification.

• Excellent communication both written and oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Self‑motivated and strong work ethic.
• Ability to build and foster collaborative relationships.
• Ability to interact effectively and achieve results with internal staff and external partners including academia, and local and state health departments.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and manage complex public health programs or projects.
• Experience developing timelines, tracking progress and ensuring deliverables align with goals and regulations.
• Experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced policy environment.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting and drafting procedure documents for compliance and consistency.
• Experience organizing events, facilitating presentations/meetings or collaborating with committees on behalf of leadership.

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 Cal Career Account at

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 for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.