Digital Communications Specialist | Health Program Specialist I, JC-492349

Department Information
The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for over 50 years.

Extensive research has found WIC to be a cost-effective investment that leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets, health care for children, and subsequently higher academic achievement for students. WIC helps families receive healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other community services.

Like other divisions within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), WIC builds its program by addressing social determinants of health. WIC impacts the life course by promoting health practices that can ultimately improve life outcomes often experienced by vulnerable communities.

WIC serves babies and children up to age five, pregnant women, and new mothers. Dads, grandparents, foster parents of young children, and working families are welcome at WIC too!
Monthly, nearly one million WIC participants can find support at one of 84 local agencies which offer services at more than 500 sites throughout California. WIC participants can redeem their food benefits at approximately 3,800 grocers that are authorized to serve WIC families.

In 2019 - 2020, the WIC Division implemented an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card called the California WIC Card and a new management information system known as WIC WISE, that allows WIC participants to be served more efficiently. The CDPH WIC Division works continuously to improve its operations and system to better support families and its partners.

• Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov
• 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.

Job Description And Duties
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.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. As an employee of the Communications, Food, and Vendor Policy Branch, the incumbent serves as part of a team that monitors, improves, and implements local and statewide policies which protect and serve Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants, vendors, and local agencies.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Chief, Communications and Special Projects Section, Staff Services Manager II (SSM II). The Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) serves as a highly skilled program consultant primarily responsible for complex assignments associated with the developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating major statewide WIC digital communications and outreach campaigns, projects, and initiatives.

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:
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills including reviewing and editing documents

Experience In:
• Writing, editing, and formatting various correspondence
• Coordinating with others to accomplish work-related assignments
• Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment

Knowledge Of:
• Completed Staff Work methodology
• Data-driven decision-making techniques
Project management methodology

Supplemental Questionnaire
The completed Supplemental Questionnaire is required to be submitted along with the Application. Applicants must provide a separate response to each question below. The completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be limited to one (1) page per question, must be typed, single-spaced in 12-point Arial font, and must include the applicant’s name in the top right corner of each page. Responses are to include the question and must be numbered in the same order as the questions below. Resumes, letters, and other documents will not be considered as responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applications without a Supplemental Questionnaire or those that don’t follow the above instructions may not be considered.

• Describe in detail your health program administration experience including the duties performed and the start and end dates (month and year) of each position.
• Explain your experience managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment, please include your experience with a diverse group including senior leaders, peers, customers, etc.

Eligibility Information
If you are new to California State Service, you must take and pass the examination for this classification to be eligible for hire. Current state employees without transfer or list eligibility must also complete and pass the examination for this classification to qualify for this position.

Please visit the CalCareers/Exams web page to review the Health Program Specialist I exam bulletin.

Telework Information
This position may be eligible for telework up to three (3) days per week and is required to report in-person to the designated headquarters office location a minimum of two (2) days per week. 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.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office 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.

Final Filing Date: 9/29/2025

Job Code #: JC-492349
Position #(s): 580-510-8338-036

Working Title: Digital Communications Specialist
Classification: HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I
$6,623.00 - $8,290.00

Work Location: Sacramento County
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Should you have any questions regarding the application process, our Recruitment Team is ready to help you at Apply@cdph.ca.gov or (916) 445-0983.