Deputy Director, Center for Healthy Communities

About this Role

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 team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

California’s population is among the most diverse in the world, including immigrants from sixty countries with over 200 languages spoken or read in the State. CDPH is a state department comprised of over 200 programs and over 4000 staff who seek to improve the health and well-being of all Californians.

CDPH programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year. The essential functions of CDPH are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.  

CDPH is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies in all aspects of employment to create an environment that is welcoming to all individuals. 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.

Key Responsibilities

Join a diverse team, leading the way toward healthy communities and safe environments for all! This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by developing statewide strategies and department-wide policies that strengthen both state and local leadership, alignment, and partnerships to drive action to influence determinants of health, eliminate health inequities, and achieve positive health outcomes.

The Center for Healthy Communities (CHC), Deputy Director is responsible for the effective management and oversight of approximately 250 authorized positions with a budget of approximately $260 million. With six Branches and one Office, CHC represents a diverse set of public health programs that address the challenging and evolving fields of chronic disease prevention, environmental health, and occupational health. This includes programs covering a broad array of public health topics and fields including the promotion of nutrition and physical activity; chronic disease control, surveillance, and research; oral health; childhood lead poisoning prevention; prevention and response efforts related to environmental and toxicological exposures; and occupational health and safety.

The Deputy Director manages and directs public health policy development with a wide range of issues. The Deputy Director develops an overarching identity and direction for the Center, bringing together its disparate programs into a cohesive whole with a shared vision and direction that are in alignment with the Department. The Deputy Director is a liaison and provides policy recommendations to other state entities, including the California Health and Human Services Agency, the Governor’s Office and the Legislature; federal and local governmental entities; community-based organizations; and California business and health care communities. The Deputy Director ensures the activities and policies of the CHC’s programs are consistent with the Directorate’s strategic vision and goals for public health in California.  

The incumbent works under administrative direction from the Assistant Public Health Officer.

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:

• Experience leading and aligning diverse programs and promoting a positive team environment while encouraging collaboration.
• Experience driving health equity policy and programming.
• Excellent diplomatic skills with ability and experience in developing stakeholder relations.
• Experience presenting information to a wide range of audiences, including the media, legislature, state and federal agencies, universities, and other stakeholder groups.
• Administrator experience and knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government, including the legislative and budgetary processes.
• Knowledge and experience in transformational leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities and direction.