JC-465078 - Contracts and Monitoring Services Unit Chief

This is a reposting of JC-442431 to increase the candidate pool; previous applicants do not need to reapply. Your application is still in consideration.

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program 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 who 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 that allows WIC participants to be served more efficiently.

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, WIC Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team. Through these branches, 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.

This position supports the CDPH mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. As an employee of the Local Services Branch, the incumbent serves as part of a team that provides funding via contracts to local agencies and supports local agencies to serve Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participants while ensuring compliance with program and contract requirements.  

The candidate works under the direction of the Chief, Local Support Section, Staff Services Manager II (SSM II). The Staff Services Manager I (SSM I) primary responsibility is to manage the operations of the Contracts and Monitoring Services Unit (CMSU). The SSM I maintain a high level of expertise in contract development and training and provides oversight of the local agency contract process. The SSM I plan, organizes, and provides leadership and recommendations to staff by establishing reasonable deadlines and monitoring staff workload to ensure work is complete, accurate, and timely. The SSM I must communicate effectively in dealing with staff and local agencies and must ensure that all staff adhere to departmental policies and procedures regarding attendance, leave, and conduct. The SSM I actively participates as a member of the WIC Division management team and may be required to testify at administrative hearings regarding program management evaluation findings.  This position may require statewide travel up to 5% of the time which may include overnights.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• STAFF SERVICES MANAGER I

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:

1. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
2. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues.
3. Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public.
4. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills including reviewing and editing documents.

Experience In:

1. Public health or social service program administration or delivery.
2. Program monitoring and compliance.
3. Contract development and management.
4. Managing staff and multiple projects concurrently.
5. Using and interpreting data to determine program improvement and quality assurance.

Knowledge Of:

1. State and federal policies and regulations.
2. Information gathering techniques.
3. Project management methodology.

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=465078 

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.