Across California, state and local health departments, health clinics, and community-based organizations are implementing COVID-19 guidelines for testing, contact tracing, vaccinations, and other essential public health services during the pandemic. To ensure the prioritization of eligible and underserved populations for COVID-19 services, Heluna Health (HH) is partnering with the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Office of Health Equity (OHE) to staff a Racial and Health Equity Specialistto assist with implementing equity into State procedures and policies to further elevate equitable COVID-19 response and recovery strategies amongst California’s priority communities. This partnership between HH and CDPH will ensure that equity is considered and operationalized in preparation for future public health emergencies.
This position supports the CDPH's mission and strategic plan by promoting equitable social, economic, and environmental conditions to achieve optimal health, mental health, and well-being for all.
The Racial and Health Equity Specialist works under the direction of the Health Program Manager II, in the Healing, Equity for All, Anti-Racism, and Trauma-responsive transformation (HEART) Section within the Office of Health Equity (OHE). The incumbent serves as a highly skilled technical program consultant for the Health in All Policies (HiAP) Partnership, the OHE Emergency Preparedness Plan, and the Healing, Equity for All, Anti-Racism, and Trauma-responsive transformation (HEART) Initiative. The Racial and Health Equity Specialist works on politically sensitive and complex projects to support the California Health in All Policies (HiAP) Task Force and Capitol Collaborative on Race and Equity (CCORE), and to support the Department of Public Health in integrating Health in All Policies and racial and health equity approaches across program areas and to ensure preparedness for future public health crises.
This is a grant-funded, full time, benefitted position through June 2025 and may be extended should funding become available.
Must submit a resume with the application.
The salary range for this position is $72,700 to $82,400 a year depending on experience/qualifications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides subject matter expertise and support to address special population needs during the COVID-19 response and recovery and to achieve broader equity goals within CDPH.
Acts as a liaison with other racial equity initiatives (both with other State Agencies and outside of State Government) to share successes and to learn from others in the field to better prepare for the next public health emergency.
Identifies opportunities to document and share best and promising practices for COVID-19 health equity with community stakeholders, providers, and other partners. Facilitates meetings among partners.
Monitors implementation of grant activities to promote COVID-19 vaccine, testing, treatment or other health equity topics among communities and grantees to increase technical, programmatic, and technical capacity.
Works with communities and other partners to develop and disseminate communication materials on COVID-19 vaccines and health equity in the pandemic response and recovery.
Acts as a highly skilled technical program consultant responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the HEART Initiative.
Prioritizes activities to ensure health and racial equity are embedded in Department policies, programs, and services.
Supports racial and health equity capacity building within CDPH programs, policies, and practices to set up a successful post-pandemic recovery.
Reviews and provides health-related comments on state-issued guidance, COVID-19 health equity related grant programs, and policies of health-allied organizations, as appropriate/requested. Develops new methodology and strategy to integrate health and equity into state-issued documents, as appropriate/requested.
Accept responsibility for other duties, as assigned.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Two years of progressively responsible experience in health program administration, at least one year of which shall have been with major responsibility for a significant program such as is normally found in a complex or departmentalized medical care delivery setting or health institution or organization. (Possession of a Doctoral Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field may be substituted for up to one year of the required general experience.) and
Education/Experience
Possession of a Master's Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Hospital Administration, Comprehensive Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field. (One year of additional specialized qualifying experience may be substituted for the required master's degree.)
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
N/A
Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Commitment to advancing racial equity, health equity, climate, and economic justice, in approach, processes, and deliverables.
Sound understanding of theoretical and operational principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, anti-oppression, and liberation.
Familiarity with state immunization programs and services.
Experience working in Incident Command Structure.
Procedures, planning, implementation and monitoring of programs.
Possess quality improvement experience and lean practices.
Demonstrated ability to effectively prepare and proofread written documents, including formal reports.
Ability to exercise good judgment, work well under pressure, and meet deadlines.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom and/or similar programs. (Familiarity with SharePoint and Teams helpful, but not required.)
Ability to work with and lead teams of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff and analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures, and practices.
Ability to develop and evaluate alternatives, analyze data, and present ideas and information effectively.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with leadership, other State, and federal agencies, and CDPH partners
Knowledge of: Public health, mental health and health care services programs and trends; problems and procedures involved in establishing community relationships and assessing community health program needs and resources; preparation and planning for coordinated programs with local and Federal agencies.
Ability to: Assist in development of public health and health care projects; apply health regulations, policies and procedures; participate in monitoring and evaluating health programs and projects; gather, analyze and organize data related to health programs; analyze administrative problems and recommend effective action; speak and write effectively; act as program liaison with staff in other programs at the Federal, State, and local level; assist in planning, conducting and evaluating of field projects; recommend and take actions on a variety of health programs, project activities, staffing and budgetary processes; analyze proposed legislation, regulations and health program standards; provide consultation and technical assistance to local agencies; serve on task forces and committees as a program representative.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand: Frequently
Walk: Occasionally
Sit: Frequently
Handling / Fingering: Frequently
Reach Outward: Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
See (Vision): Constantly
Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable
Key
Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a hybrid position with the occasional in-person work at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Sacramento office.
General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled.
Must have functioning internet access in remote location.
EEOC STATEMENT
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
