Program Specialist - Relief

Part-time, relief positions may support various Public Health programs, including:

• Local Indigent Care Needs (LICN): Connects high-need residents with health care and other resources and operates the Health Links mobile van (grant ends 06/30/2026)
• California Strengthening Public Health Initiative (CASPHI): Focuses on reducing health disparities (grant ends 11/30/27)
• Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS): Addresses communicable disease prevention and response (grant ends 01/31/26)

Responsibilities include providing resources and training to Public Health staff and Community Health Workers, supporting community mitigation strategies for extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and other climate-related emergencies, and contributing to efforts that prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as case investigation, contact tracing, linkages to treatment and prevention services, and outbreak response. Additional program support may be assigned as needed. Ideal candidates have experience and interest in health, data analysis, climate and health, disease investigation, community engagement, and program implementation.

Under direction, plans, develops, coordinates and implements health programs and promotions in Public Health or Behavioral Health to coordinate health education, health awareness, and staff training; and performs related duties as assigned.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 
Receives supervision from assigned supervisory or managerial personnel.   Provides technical and functional direction to para-professional, technical and administrative staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 
The Program Specialist is a professional-level classification responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing one or more health programs including public awareness and education activities.  May also be responsible for Behavioral Health development and coordination of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) activities.(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Provides daily coordination of a public/behavioral health program.
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; participates in the selection and hiring of staff.
• Participates in the development of program policies and procedures.
• Assists supervisor and financial staff in monitoring program budget(s). 
• Conducts surveys of existing services and activities, and prepares an assessment of the target population.
• Plans, coordinates and conducts workshops, educational campaigns, seminars and discussion groups related to the assigned health care program. 
• Develops technical assistance plans and provides assistance to service providers and other appropriate organizations and agencies.
• Monitors provider contracts and ensures the continuation of coordination, referral, outreach activities and resources.

• Prepares grant applications and proposals; administer grant contracts.

• Develops written, oral and other media materials including news releases, special features, power point presentations and printed promotional materials. 
• Gathers data for and maintains records of program activities; prepares and submits reports as required by the department and other agencies.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns and complaints from staff and the public regarding program policies, procedures and services.
• Attends training, conferences, seminars, etc., as necessary to maintain job knowledge and skills.
• Performs various administrative tasks as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, returning telephone calls, preparing mail, attending meetings, ordering supplies, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
 

• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines for Public Health or; if assigned to Behavioral Health, this includes Mental Health Services Act programs and funding.
• Basic principles of budget preparation and monitoring.
• Basic principles of project management, grant writing and administration.
• Principles and practices of organization and leadership.
• Principles of public/behavioral health service provision.
• Basic record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
• Principles and practices of public health programming, promotion and education.
• Educational methods and resources.
• Public relations, media relations and mass communications.
• Data collection and analysis methods.
• Basic mathematics.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

 
Ability to:
 

• Understand, interpret and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Plan, coordinate and implement assigned public health prevention or behavioral health programs including public relations and education.
• Plan, coordinate and implement work plans.
• Prepare and monitor budgets.
• Research, evaluate and develop effective training / educational materials.
• Facilitate meetings and coordinate public events.
• Compile, organize and analyze data.
• Prepare, review and present reports, recommendations and other correspondence and communications in a clear and concise manner.
• Coordinate community involvement in program activities.
• Effectively use a computer for word and data processing and desk-top publishing.
• Perform required mathematical calculations with accuracy.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in health education, behavioral science, sociology, public or business administration, marketing, communications, social work, psychology or a closely related field.  Experience in public or behavioral health care field preferred.  Experience in the development of educational or promotional programs is ideal. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are highly desirable.
 
Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

Salary : $56,742 - $68,952