Eligibility Application & Support Branch Chief

Job Description and Duties

About this Role:

The role of the Eligibility Applications and Support Branch Chief (EASB) is to lead the Branch within the Business Operations Technology Services Division (BOTSD), overseeing critical eligibility systems and guiding the branch’s strategic and operational activities. The position reports to the Division Chief and oversees staff who support major Medi-Cal eligibility systems, including MEDS, its subsystems, MEDSLITE, and related applications. The role ensures effective system development, maintenance, and integration while advising executive leadership and supporting critical statewide eligibility initiatives.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact [email protected] , we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!

This position is subject to the Department’s Conflict of Interest Code and requires annual filing of a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700).

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill additional identical vacancies which occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

This recruitment may be filled via a Training and Development assignment.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Telework and Salary Information

DHCS has embraced a hybrid work environment. Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule per DHCS's Telework Policy, in accordance with Government Code Sections 14200-14203.

Telework is based on operational needs for employees who can perform their essential functions remotely and/or whose duties are conducive to teleworking per DHCS’ Telework Policy and in accordance with Government Code Sections 14200 – 14203 for employees residing in California.

Should the incumbent ever need to report to an office, they will need to report to a DHCS office located in Downtown Sacramento.

Salary: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications

The Statement of Qualification (SOQ) must not exceed two pages. The SOQ must be in 12 pt font Arial. Failure to follow the specific SOQ directions may result in the candidate being disqualified from the recruitment.

SOQ Question 1 — Enterprise Operations Leadership & Uptime Assurance

Describe your experience and un derstanding of leading an organization that operates a mission-critical eligibility system requiring consistent, near-continuous uptime. In your response, address:

• How you structured teams, processes, and on-call/coverage to meet stringent SLAs and prevent service disruptions that could impact continuity of benefits.

• How you governed vendors and cross-functional partners (e.g., infrastructure, security, county/program stakeholders) to sustain reliability at scale, including examples of risk mitigation and measurable results.

• A specific example where your leadership prevented or resolved a high-severity outage—what you did, trade-offs considered, outcomes achieved, and lessons learned.

SOQ Question 2 — Policy Change Readiness, Compliance, and Federal/Audit Engagement

Explain your experience and understanding of evolving an eligibility system to keep pace with changing state and federal requirements while remaining audit-ready.

• How you translate policy changes into system and operational changes (intake, impact assessment, prioritization, release/change management), including governance you set to control quality and reduce regressions.

• Your methods for documentation, evidence retention, and internal controls that support audits and detailed inquiries from federal partners (e.g., responding to CMS or other federal oversight), including timelines and artifacts typically provided.

• A concrete example of coordinating a complex eligibility update end-to-end (from rule interpretation through deployment and post-implementation monitoring), the stakeholders you engaged, and how you handled detailed auditor/federal partner questions—highlight measurable outcomes (accuracy, timeliness, defect rates).

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:

• Proven leadership experience with strengths in communication, decision-making, teamwork, and guiding diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with executives, managers, and staff across varied program areas.

• Experience with application lifecycle management practices.

• Working knowledge of designing, implementing, and operating IT systems and services.

• Understanding of mainframe operations, related programming languages, operating systems, and controls.
• Applied knowledge of IT Service Management best practices, including the ITIL framework.

• Ability to evaluate and align technology solutions with business needs.

• Experience managing operations for large-scale, complex IT services, emerging technologies, mission-critical systems, and infrastructure.

• Experience developing, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to make timely, sound decisions in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Benefits

DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Continuous and ongoing training

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave

• Defined retirement program

• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)

• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the State of California, please explore the provided by CalHR.

Additional Instructions

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

Paper applications must include a signature. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.

A completed state application (STD. 678) and any documents list under "Required Application Documents" must be submitted with your application package. Applicants who are relying on additional documentation (e.g., transcripts, copy of degrees, certifications, licenses, etc.) in order to prove that they meet the minimum qualifications listed in the Classification Specification (located on the right under "Additional Documentation") must submit those documents with their application package. Failure to submit these documents may result in your application being disqualified. Applications must include a description of the duties performed for each position held; reference to a resume in place of a description of the duties performed will not be accepted.

Applicants must state their basis of eligibility (List Eligibility, Lateral Transfer, Reinstatement, T&D, or Surplus/SROA), and the Job Control (JC) number and/or position number in the "Examination(s) or Job Title(s), For Which You Are Applying" section on the STD. 678. Surplus/SROA candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth, etc.) as well as any information regarding your LEAP eligibility and/or exam scores from your documents prior to submission.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion, not a cover letter, prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience, qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as documentation of the applicant’s ability to present information clearly and provide DHCS additional information about their experience and qualifications concisely in writing. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

  Candidates who do not complete and submit an SOQ may not be considered for this position.