Health Equity Lead

Job Description and Duties

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.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by promoting equitable social, economic, and environmental conditions to achieve optimal health, mental health, and well-being for all. The Office of Health (OHE) was established, as authorized by Section 13109.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, to provide a key leadership role in reducing health and mental health disparities to vulnerable communities.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Health Program Manager II (HPM II), Chief of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Section (CYBHS) in the Behavioral Health and Equity Branch (BHEB). The Health Program Specialist II (HPS II), Health Equity Lead, is responsible for leading the development and implementation of statewide programs associated with the BHEB. The HPS II works closely with other BHEB staff and contractors to develop a community led and informed, behavioral health program.

The incumbent is also responsible for leading program efforts in mental health policy direction and culturally responsive guidance to various constituency groups and key decision makers on addressing health and mental health disparities and inequities for racial, ethnic, and multicultural communities. As needed, provides high touch mental health technical assistance and directional to local health and mental health departments, Tribal leaders, community-based organizations, and key stakeholders. The incumbent may be responsible for writing contract request for proposals, organizing contract applications scoring teams, and providing direction to contracted staff.

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.

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You will find additional information about the job in the .

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 # 487738 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 [email protected] 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:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing complex, high-visibility public health projects
• Strong oral & written communication skills
• Ability to translate & adapt materials for specific cultural groups; marketing to diverse communities
• Knowledge of children & youth behavioral health policies & programs
• Experience with community engagement & outreach strategies
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment while handling multiple competing priorities & shifting expectations
• Knowledge of budget & accounting procedures, contract provisions, general contract management & procedures
• Knowledge of media placement integration for the development & implementation of the media evaluation studies
• Expertise in the development of the programmatic & technical portions of the departmental Request for Proposals
• Knowledge of processing contracts/amendments & development of content for Secretary Action Requests and Director’s Action Requests
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications

1. Describe in detail your health program administration experience within your previous positions. Please include:

a. The position(s) in which you performed these duties and the start and end dates (month and year) of each position.

b. If you’ve had major/independent responsibility for a significant health program and the duties performed.

c. Describe the type of organization where you managed the significant health program. Provide details on the:

• Type of organization and size

• Complexity of health program and scope

• Functions and duties of the program

• Staff you oversaw and their roles

• Community or clients served

d. Any relevant experience with program planning, evaluation, and making recommendations to management.

Health program administration refers to the practice of managing and overseeing the operations of healthcare or public health programs to ensure efficient delivery of health services within a specific healthcare setting.

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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) instructions below at end of posting . Applications received without a written response to the SOQ may be rejected.