Job Description

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by promoting health and wellness and improving state health outcomes by advancing protective measures and reducing risks.

The Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) functions as a highly skilled consultant on export laws related to the manufacturing, distribution, labeling, and advertising of food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and other regulated products intended for export to foreign countries by providing technical assistance on the interpretation of applicable laws and guidelines. Communicates and serves as a liaison with investigative, compliance, and scientific staff to support case development involving false statements or fraudulent requests, including coordinating technical review of labeling and product information, evaluating regulatory compliance, and assisting with evidence development; attends court hearings and may act as a witness to violations.

The incumbent reviews and approves complex export certification requests, monitors and tracks export document requests, and provides recommendations to management for ongoing program improvements.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Supervisor I, of the Food and Drug Branch, in the Drug and Medical Device Safety (DMDS) & Exports Program Support Unit.

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:

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.

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 #(519196)  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 of California Health and Safety Code, United States Food and Drug Administration regulations, and export certification requirements.
• Experience conducting complex regulatory and compliance reviews of applications, labeling, or technical documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and policies and make sound, defensible determinations.
• Experience identifying compliance issues, evaluating violations, and supporting investigations.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and recommend process improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to respond to technical inquiries and guide stakeholders.
• Experience reviewing or assisting with legislative and regulatory analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, track workload, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database systems.

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions:

A SOQ is required. This SOQ serves as a narrative discussion to illustrate how education, training, and skills have prepared candidates for this position. The SOQ documents each candidate’s ability to present written responses to the following questions clearly and concisely. Answers must be provided for each question separately, with responses numbered to correspond to each question. Only applicants who submit a SOQ that complies with these instructions will be considered.

On no more than 3 pages, single spaced, 12-point Cambria font, please answer the following questions:

1. 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. Significant health programs include, but are not limited to: Mental Health Services, Physician Services, Medical Records, Pharmacy, Medical Appeals, Dietary, Nursing Services, Diagnostic (X-Ray, Lab), and Dental.

Please describe in detail your health program administration experience within your current/previous jobs(s). Please include:

a. The job(s) in which you performed these duties, the length of time, including start and end dates (month and year) of each job.

b. If you’ve had major/independent responsibility (as a lead or in another independent role) 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 had lead responsibility for and their roles

• Community or clients served

2. This position requires meticulous review of export labels to ensure strict adherence to laws and regulations. Please explain your approach to reviewing work tjoroughly. Provide examples of how you demonstrated exceptional attention to detail.

3. Provide an example of when you recommended a specific process improvement to your immediate supervisor. What did the improvement entail? Was it adopted? What was its resulting impact?

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 - Please see Statement of Qualifications instructions below at end of posting .  Any applications received that  do not provide a written response to the SOQ may be rejected .

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