WIC Systems Change Management Specialist | Health Program Specialist II, JC-497919

Department Information

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.

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for over 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 or farmers 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.

• Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov
• Check out How to Apply for a Job at CDPH
• Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
• The salary listed in this ad may not include recent adjustments or changes from the fiscal year
• New to State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or alternate range, as applicable.
• Effective July 2025, California’s Personal Leave Program (PLP 2025) reduces employees’ base pay by 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits monthly through June 2027. The posted salary range does not reflect this reduction.

Job Description And Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. As a member of the WIC Systems Integration Branch, the Health Program Specialist II (HPS II) serves as part of a team that supports and maintains the various eWIC systems including the WIC Web Information System Exchange (WIC WISE), the WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card, and the WIC App, as well as other auxiliary systems and services.

The incumbent works under the direction of the Chief, WIC Change and Contract Management Section, Staff Services Manager II (SSM II). The Health Program Specialist II (HPS II) serves as a highly skilled expert in the Vendor aspects of WIC Technology, acts in an advisory capacity, and leads staff to plan, develop, and coordinate work to ensure that policies, procedures, forms, education, monitoring, training materials, and all applicable program materials pertaining to the assigned statewide projects are up to date and that service delivery partners, and state staff are trained on changes. The HPS II serves as the lead coordinator and subject matter expert on WIC technology issues related to benefits redemption, shopping, and integrity.

The HPS II coordinates and performs User Acceptance Testing for defect corrections and change requests for various technologies that support benefits redemption, shopping, and integrity.

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:

Experience In:

1. Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
2. Leading workgroups, projects or teams.
3. Using a Management Information System (MIS)
4. Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting various forms of data
5. Preparing and facilitating meetings
6. Interpreting, documenting, and explaining processes and procedures to various audiences

Knowledge Of:

1. Project management methodology
2. Data-driven decision-making techniques
3. State and Federal policies and regulations as related to public service programs
4. Public Benefits and service programs
5. User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
6. Technical/infrastructure standards and processes
7. WIC and the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) service delivery system

Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues
2. Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public
3. Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills
4. Ability to perform critical thinking, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and make informed decisions
5. Ability to be flexible with changing deadlines and instructions

Supplemental Questionnaire

Please answer the following questions to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire:

1. Describe how your knowledge, skills, and experience qualify you for this position. Using specific examples, describe your ability to lead teams, work efficiently and effectively under pressure, manage multiple projects, and thrive under deadlines.
2. Provide a detailed description of your experience using a Management Information System (MIS). Describe the purpose of the system and your actions within the system (e.g., read only, running reports, entering data, etc.). Share any experience you have with identifying defects, participating in User Acceptance Testing and/or involvement in the Change Request process.
3. Describe in detail your experience managing or supervising complex major health programs or projects including any program planning and implementation, program data analysis and evaluation, recommendations to management, budgeting and resource management, policy, regulations, or standards development, and any areas of major/independent responsibility. Please include the start and end dates (month and year) of each position.

Resumes, letters, and other documents will not be considered as responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applications without a Supplemental Questionnaire or those that don’t follow the above instructions may not be considered.

Eligibility Information

If you are new to California State Service, you must take and pass the examination for this classification to be eligible for hire. Current state employees without transfer or list eligibility must also complete and pass the examination for this classification to qualify for this position.

Please visit the CalCareers/Exams web page to review the Health Program Specialist II exam bulletin.

Telework Information

This position may be eligible for telework up to three (3) days per week and is required to report in-person to the designated headquarters office location a minimum of two (2) days per week. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the duty statement.

Final Filing Date: 11/18/2025

Job Code #: JC-497919

Position #(s): 580-510-8336-017

Working Title: WIC Systems Change Management Specialist

Classification: HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST II

$7,276.00 - $9,107.00

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Should you have any questions regarding the application process, our Recruitment Team is ready to help you at Apply@cdph.ca.gov or (916) 445-0983.