Health Program Specialist Jc-

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.

The Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch (SAPB), within the Center for Healthy Communities, aims to reduce individual, social, and environmental harm from addiction and substance use through research‑driven prevention, education, and treatment. SAPB houses CDPH’s youth cannabis prevention, alcohol, overdose, and problem gambling programs, creating synergy between substance use and addiction prevention efforts. In addition to efforts related to addiction and substance use, SAPB examines a wide range of societal, community, and social influences on individual consumption and the resulting social and behavioral outcomes.

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• Check out How to Apply for a Job at CDPH
• Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
• The salary listed in this ad may not include recent adjustments or changes from the fiscal year
• New to State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or alternate range, as applicable.
• Effective July 2025, California’s Personal Leave Program (PLP 2025) reduces employees’ base pay by 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits monthly through June 2027. The posted salary range does not reflect this reduction.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by protecting the public’s health and promoting health, wellness, and equity.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Health Program Manager II (HPM II), Public Awareness Section. The Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) functions as a communications specialist supporting the Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch’s (SAPB) multifaceted, cutting‑edge health communication plans around a broad range of topics, including but not limited to youth cannabis prevention; opioid misuse and overdose prevention;

and problem gambling awareness. The HPS I oversees project management; development and implementation of communication strategies and materials; and advertising campaigns designed to effectively reach multiple priority target groups. The HPS I supports branch‑wide communications policy, priorities, and long‑term strategies in the use of health communications to prevent substance misuse and addiction. The HPS I provides consultation in relevant meetings with local, state, and federal agencies, and community organizations.

Limited in‑state travel (10%) with occasional overnight stays are required.

• Understands how the historical, systemic, institutional, and community environments shape health equity.
• Works with a high degree of initiative, responsibility, independence, and accountability, producing high‑quality work products with minimal supervision.
• Prioritizes and effectively manages multiple complex projects.
• Shows flexibility and forward‑thinking while managing multiple shifting priorities.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills with clarity.
• Possesses strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience with:
• Public health, particularly in the field of behavioral health (e.g., substance use, misuse, addiction, nutrition, tobacco).
• Policy, systems, and environmental change strategies.
• High‑profile or sensitive issues.
• Health communications.

Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications with specific and relevant examples that addresses how their experience, training, and education relate to the duty statement.

The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two pages, single‑spaced, using 12‑pt font.

• Describe in detail your experience managing or supervising complex major health programs or projects…