JC-478959 - Strategic Planning and Innovation Unit Chief
The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for 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.
About the CDPH/WIC Family
Over 200 state staff work at CDPH’s WIC Division, headquartered at the Natomas campus in Sacramento. WIC is committed to a hybrid workforce and the state provides a modest stipend for those who fully and partially work from home. Staff are provided with a computer or laptop, camera, and large screen to conduct their work. We build our unit teams virtually and maintain contact with stakeholders by being on camera to solidify our relationships.
The WIC Division is led by senior managers administering a Local Policy and Health Programs Branch, Local Services Branch, Vendor Management Branch, Communications, Food, and Vendor Policy Branch, Data and Integrity Branch, Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team. Through these branches, our support staff, analysts, specialists, researchers, and nutritionists serve the needs of WIC families, supports our program partners, and ensures the California WIC Program is administered appropriately and effectively.
The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.
New to State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or alternate range, as applicable.
“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”
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 candidate works under the direction of the Chief, Communications and Special Projects Section, Staff Services Manager II (SSM II). The Staff Services Manager I (SSM I) is responsible for managing operations of the Strategic Planning and Innovation Unit, and oversees the planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of WIC Division strategic planning and employee engagement activities; state and local WIC agency eLearning (electronic learning) trainings; and California WIC program digital communications and outreach efforts. The SSM I supervise and directs Unit tasks to ensure that staff complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner and adheres to departmental policies and procedures. The manager actively participates as a member of the WIC Division Management Team.
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.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
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 plan, organize, direct, and supervise the work of staff.
- Ability to manage multiple high priority projects and meet deadlines.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing workload and priorities.
- Experience in leading a diverse group of employees.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
- Ability to direct staff in development, review and approval of various communication products.
- Ability to collaborate with other managers and subject matter experts from across the division on communication projects, including eLearning development, webpage updates.
- Experience in strategic planning.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
How To Apply
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 CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=478959