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Program Specialist

California Correctional Health Care Services

Sacramento, CA

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$6,031–$7,547
SKILLS
Administrative Skills, Analysis Skills, California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), Child Development, Childcare, Communication Skills, Community and Social Services, Conferences, Continuous Improvement, Customer Experience, Customer Support/Service, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Detail Oriented, Establish Priorities, Federal Government, Government Policies, Healthcare Reimbursement, IRS (Internal Revenue Service), Identify Issues, Leadership, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Product Family, Microsoft Word, Online Training, People Management, Policy Implementation, Prepare Correspondence, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Public Transport, Regulations, Reimbursement, Research Skills, Restaurant, Sales, Set Goals, Social Work, Software Engineering, Team Player, Technical Leadership, Technical Support, Train Transportation, Training/Teaching, Web Forms, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Sacramento, CA
POSTED
1 day ago

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of Californians while achieving your professional development goals? The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Branch is looking for a collaborative and detailoriented Analyst II to join the Program Operations and Policy Unit (POPU) 2.

POPU 2 is part of a team that works directly with CACFP operators and collaborates with Branch staff, California Department of Social Services (CDSS) divisions, and external partners to provide clear technical guidance, answer program questions, review program materials, and help ensure program requirements are applied consistently. This position is a good opportunity for someone who enjoys public service, research, problem solving, written communication, and working with others to support effective program administration.

Under the direction of the POPU 2 Supervisor I, the Analyst II performs journeylevel analytical work related to program operations, application and agreement activities, technical assistance, written guidance, training, web content, forms, and systemrelated updates. The position requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail,and the ability to research issues, identify options, and provide recommendations.

The successful candidate should enjoy learning, reviewing information for accuracy and consistency, explaining program requirements, and helping improve processes and resources used by CACFP operators, Branchstaff, CDSS divisions, and external partners. The Analyst II is expected to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment and provide responsive service to CACFP operators serving diverse communities throughout California. This position may require up to 10 percent travel for conferences, outreach events, technical assistance, preapproval visits, workshops, and other offsite meetings.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey.

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov . For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job

Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on our latest opportunities.

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

Working Conditions
This work location is very convenient! The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance of the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmers' markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80.

This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with Executive Order N-22-25 the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.

Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

  • ANALYST II
  • ANALYST I
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-525670

Position #(s):
800-291-5393-584

Working Title:
Program Specialist

Classification:
ANALYST II $6,031.00 - $7,547.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Shall Consider:
ANALYST I
$3,861.00 - $4,839.00 A
$4,181.00 - $5,233.00 B
$5,014.00 - $6,276.00 C

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal and state-funded program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in daycare facilities. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and adults in the United States.

Under the general direction of the Program Administration Bureau Chief, the Program Operations and Policy Section of the CACFP Branch provides direction and leadership for the program administration and support teams for the CACFP. These groups are charged with supporting CACFP participants' successful operation of the CACFP and developing and implementing statewide program policies.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.
We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement
We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment
We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person have desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services
We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes
We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Special Requirements Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. The SOQ is a concise narrative response to the prompt below and will be used to evaluate how your education, training, experience, and skills make you a good candidate for this position. The SOQ also serves as a sample of your writing ability, including your ability to organize information, provide relevant details, and communicate clearly.

The SOQ must be no longer than one page, use normal margins, be typed in Arial 12point font, and include your name and the Position Number at the top of the document.

Your SOQ must be written in your own words and provide a clear and specific response to the prompt below. Responses that are generic, incomplete, do not address the prompt, or appear to be copied from another source may be disqualified. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate or substantially draft the SOQ may result in disqualification.

Applications submitted without an SOQ, or with an SOQ that does not follow these instructions, may not be considered.

SOQ Prompt:
Provide a specific example of a time you received a question from a customer, organization, or state or federal agency that required research before you could respond. In your response, you must include all of the following:

1. The question you were asked;
2. The audience for your response;
3. The policies, procedures, regulations, or legislation you researched;
4. How you confirmed your response was accurate;
5. How you ensured the information was clear and easily understood by the intended audience; and
6. The actual response or recommendation you provided, including the language or main points you used to answer the question.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/31/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Social Services
California Department of Social Services
Attn: Classification & Pay Unit
P. O. Box 944243 - MS 8-15-58

Sacramento , CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Social Services
California Department of Social Services
Classification & Pay Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

We encourage applications regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of these skills below. Please highlight your knowledge, skills, and experience related to the below desirable qualifications in your application package.

• Experience reviewing applications, forms, requests, or other submitted materials for completeness, accuracy, and consistency with program requirements.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying policies, procedures, regulations, or legislation to provide guidance, recommendations, or technical assistance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear correspondence, guidance, reports, summaries, or other written materials.
• Experience providing customer service or technical assistance to internal staff, external partners, program participants, or members of the public in a professional and responsive manner.
• Ability to research issues, evaluate information, identify options, and provide clear recommendations to management.
• Experience developing or presenting training, technical assistance materials, presentations, or meeting content for internal or external audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and diverse communities while contributing to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Experience using Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, or other tools to organize work, track assignments, prepare materials, and communicate effectively.


Benefits There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.
o 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
o 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
o 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!

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

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Josue Barragan
(000) -
Josue.Barragan@dss.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025
Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Examination Information
Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.
To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the examination announcement: CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary. For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov .

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

About the Company

C

California Correctional Health Care Services