HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

Department of Health Care Services · Sacramento County

Salary: $6,623 – $8,290 per month

Closes: 2026-11-05T00:00:00.000Z

Job description and requirements

Job Description and Duties Why Join DHCS? The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today! About this Role: Under the direction of the Supervisor I, the Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) supports the Crisis Care Section Programs, and is responsible for assisting with the development, implementation, and administration of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Program) and the Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis Services benefit, to provide lifesaving behavioral health interventions for California's high-risk populations. The HPS I serves as lead staff in supporting the development and monitoring of initiatives related to the program, including technical support, program evaluation and planning, program monitoring, policy analysis, and budgeting to the Crisis Care Section. These duties require the HPS I to conduct themselves in a professional manner, demonstrate good analytical skills, have good problem solving and organizational abilities, the ability to research and interpret laws and regulations, and the appropriate skills to present management with the recommendations and alternatives to identify issues. The HPS I must have the ability to handle confidential/sensitive information, develop and issue guidance, and amend regulations. The HPS I serves as a subject matter consultant and performs various administrative and independent duties to ensure successful implementation and administration of all behavioral health programs related to crisis care programs and services. Travel may be required up to 5% of the time. Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact mailto:Recruit@dhcs.ca.gov, we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process! This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements Simple Application Steps: If you are interested in this position, complete the following these simple steps: • Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Health Program Adviser/Specialist/Manager Series - CalHR. See the Minimum Requirements section above. • Complete the Supplemental Application state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions. • Submit your application package with all required documents, which include the statement of qualifications - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below. • Once you have applied, take the Health Program Specialist I Link: CalCareers. If using education to meet classification MQ pattern: Education: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include a copy of your diploma/degree and/or unofficial/informal transcripts for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Supplemental Application Requirement Section Applicants must include a Supplemental Application (SA) for this recruitment. You must provide specific information in your response(s) which demonstrates how your knowledge, skills, and training meet the needs of this position. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SA with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SA. The SA response must be no more than two pages in length, double-spaced and using 12-point Arial font. You must indicate your Full Name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Respond directly to the following Supplemental Application question(s): 1. Describe your experience supporting, planning, or coordinating statewide, county-wide, or city-wide programs. Detail your specific role in setting program goals, establishing project timelines, and monitoring milestones. Candidates who fail to provide an SOQ with their application or do not follow SOQ instructions may be disqualified. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ. Travel may be required up to 5% of the time. 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: - Strong analytical and research skills. - Ability to interpret and apply complex policies, laws, and regulations. - Experience with behavioral health programs or crisis services. - Ability to coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders. - Strong written and verbal communication skills. - Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
Show full description and requirements

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today!

About this Role:

Under the direction of the Supervisor I, the Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) supports the Crisis Care Section Programs, and is responsible for assisting with the development, implementation, and administration of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Program) and the Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis Services benefit, to provide lifesaving behavioral health interventions for California's high-risk populations.

The HPS I serves as lead staff in supporting the development and monitoring of initiatives related to the program, including technical support, program evaluation and planning, program monitoring, policy analysis, and budgeting to the Crisis Care Section. These duties require the HPS I to conduct themselves in a professional manner, demonstrate good analytical skills, have good problem solving and organizational abilities, the ability to research and interpret laws and regulations, and the appropriate skills to present management with the recommendations and alternatives to identify issues. The HPS I must have the ability to handle confidential/sensitive information, develop and issue guidance, and amend regulations.

The HPS I serves as a subject matter consultant and performs various administrative and independent duties to ensure successful implementation and administration of all behavioral health programs related to crisis care programs and services. Travel may be required up to 5% of the time.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact mailto:Recruit@dhcs.ca.gov, we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!


This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

Simple Application Steps:

If you are interested in this position, complete the following these simple steps:

  1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Health Program Adviser/Specialist/Manager Series - CalHR. See the Minimum Requirements section above.
  2. Complete the Supplemental Application state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions.
  3. Submit your application package with all required documents, which include the statement of qualifications - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below.
  4. Once you have applied, take the Health Program Specialist I Link: CalCareers.


If using education to meet classification MQ pattern:

Education: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include a copy of your diploma/degree and/or unofficial/informal transcripts for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.

Supplemental Application Requirement Section

Applicants must include a Supplemental Application (SA) for this recruitment. You must provide specific information in your response(s) which demonstrates how your knowledge, skills, and training meet the needs of this position. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SA with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SA.

The SA response must be no more than two pages in length, double-spaced and using 12-point Arial font. You must indicate your Full Name and Job Control Number at the top right corner.

Respond directly to the following Supplemental Application question(s):

1. Describe your experience supporting, planning, or coordinating statewide, county-wide, or city-wide programs. Detail your specific role in setting program goals, establishing project timelines, and monitoring milestones.

Candidates who fail to provide an SOQ with their application or do not follow SOQ instructions may be disqualified. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

Travel may be required up to 5% of the time.

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: - Strong analytical and research skills. - Ability to interpret and apply complex policies, laws, and regulations. - Experience with behavioral health programs or crisis services. - Ability to coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders. - Strong written and verbal communication skills. - Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

About this opportunity

Salary context

The annualized midpoint for this posting is $89,478. That matches the $89,478 median among 6 current California public jobs with the same normalized title.

More jobs at this employer

Department of Health Care Services currently has 25 other open positions in this database.

Regional hiring context

There are 658 current state openings in Sacramento County, including this position.

Application timeline

Applications close in 1 day, on November 5, 2026.

Similar roles at other employers

These employers are currently listing the same normalized role:

Posting history

This posting appears on CalCareers. CA Public Jobs first observed it on October 23, 2026. It was last verified open on November 4, 2026.

View the official posting