Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The incumbent works under the direction of the Health Program Manager I (HPM I), Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit. The Health Program Specialist ( HPS I ) functions as an independent, highly skilled program consultant in areas of extreme sensitivity in training, technical assistance, health education, and policy for the Alcohol Harm Prevention Initiative (AHPI). The HPS I will primarily support the AHPI’s work to raise awareness of alcohol related harms and to prevent alcohol misuse through public education; policy, systems, and environmental change strategies; training; and technical assistance. The HPS I will also support work on other substance and addiction related topics, including problem gambling and cannabis. The HPS I tracks current research, policy, and legislative changes; uses data (including surveillance, survey, and treatment data) to inform prevention strategies; and coordinates program strategic planning and community engagement. The HPS I also provides consultation in relevant committee meetings with local, state, and community organizations. This position requires a high level of independence. Some travel within the State of California (up to 5%) to provide training and to meet with stakeholders is required. Some overnight stays may be required.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin:

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Telework Information     

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Special Requirements

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions,  hours worked per week , and  start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control #(500996)  and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application . Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

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 CalCareers Account at Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email  apply@cdph.ca.gov  for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or,  a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

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:

Knowledge and/or experience in:

• Public health, particularly in the field of substance use or behavioral change.
• Planning, coordinating, and implementing public health activities and services with population-based equity principles.   

• Population-based strategies to improve health outcomes, including policy, systems, and environmental change strategies.
• Providing technical assistance, consultation, and guidance on complex and sensitive programmatic and policy issues.
• Developing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with internal and external multi-disciplinary partners and stakeholders.
• Understands how the historical, systemic, institutional, and community conditions have shaped health equity.
• Knowledge of key performance indicators and using data to drive policy and prevention.
• Experience working with stakeholders, building relationships and consensus.
• Experience with strategic planning or program development.  
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and proactively identify solutions.
• Experience in working in a collaborative telework team environment.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills with clarity.
• Possesses strong organizational and time management skills.

Benefits

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

Supplemental Questionnaire

Applicants must submit a Supplemental Questionnaire that responds to the three prompts below. The complete document must be no more than two pages, single-spaced, using no less than 12-pt font.

1. Describe in detail your health program administration experience including the duties performed and the start and end dates (month and year) of each position.
2. Describe your experience using data to drive public health prevention efforts and/or project improvement.
3. Describe your experience working with stakeholders on a public health program (for example, local health jurisdictions, community-based organizations, and the public)

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 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other -

  Please see Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ)  instructions below at end of posting . Applications received without a written response to the SQ may be rejected.

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