Health Program Specialist

Job Description:

Health Program Specialist

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION


HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and is scheduled to close at 11:59 PM (PST) on Friday March 6, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Health Program Specialist vacancies. The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

THE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services and Specialized Medical Services is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division consists of the following service areas Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services, Quality Management Services, Mental Health Services Act Office, Data Analytics and Evaluation, Crisis and Acute Care Services, Substance Use Services, and Forensics and Justice Involved. These service areas provide a culturally competent and client-centered system of behavioral health services for all eligible county residents in need of treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and mental health care.

THE PROGRAM
The Substance Use Disorder Services (SUD) provides an array of prevention, treatment and recovery support services for youth and adults that include the Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT) community Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention programs, Residential Treatment, Outpatient treatment, perinatal services, narcotic treatment programs (NTP), Medicated Assistance Treatment (MAT), Withdrawal Management, Intensive Outpatient Program, Recovery Residences and the programmatic oversight of the States Opioid Abatement Funding Plan in Orange County.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Health Program Specialist (HPS) is a professional level administrative/programmatic position utilized within Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services under the supervision of the Service Chief or Health Services Manager for the program. The HPS in SUD Services is instrumental in ensuring that clients receive quality services in a safe environment. The HPS is responsible for the programmatic and fiscal integrity of Drug Medi-Cal and/or non-Drug Medi-Cal substance use disorder outpatient services. The HPS is responsible for conducting site visits of County-contracted programs and generating monitoring reports, corrective action plans, and various other communications for providers, the state’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), County partners, and community partners.

In addition, duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducting both formal and informal reviews of contracted provider(s) to identify deficiencies and/or areas of non-compliance, and verify corrective action is taken
• Ensuring compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations by any licensed program within the County's jurisdiction
• Providing technical assistance to contract provider staff by organizing training sessions, meetings, and conferences
• Coordinating with Quality Management Services to ensure proper adherence to state guidelines
• Preparing and facilitating monthly contract management meetings
• Reviewing invoices/billing/reports to ensure accuracy of services delivered
• Running monthly required reports including but not limited to California Outcomes Measurement System Treatment (CalOMS Tx)
• Responding to day-to-day inquiries from contract providers related to program operations

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess experience in contract monitoring as well as experience supervising prevention or treatment-related services in Behavioral Health. Experience working in SUD is also highly desirable, but not required.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:

Professional & Technical Expertise | Using Technology

• Understanding of adults, older adults, and transitional age youth living with SUDs
• Understanding of program components for target population based on laws, rules, and regulations for treatment providers of SUDs
• Understanding and applying regulatory requirements of California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 3 and quality management principles
• Conducting contract monitoring and implementing compliant practices and procedures within a public sector setting
• Possessing intermediate to advance proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
• Using a computer to complete program forms, prepare reports, log data, and track referrals and linkages

Analyzing & Interpreting Data | Fact Finding Attention to Detail | Self-Management | Critical Thinking | Decision Making

• Using various databases to track, analyze, and report data outcomes
• Reviewing, comprehending, and evaluating contract specifications and assessing the efficacy of services
• Determining and navigating impacts of new or current legislation related to Behavioral Health programs
• Conducting audits to determine compliance with State and Federal requirements and articulating contract requirements
• Investigating and researching sensitive issues and/or complaints
• Organizing, scheduling/planning visits, conducting trainings and presentations
• Meeting timeframes and responding to requests and communication in a timely manner
• Demonstrating attention to detail and quality assurance
• Using appropriate judgment, data, and risk management skills in making business decisions and formulating policy recommendations for achieving positive business outcomes
• Analyzing problems and proposing solutions while dealing with changing priorities

Writing | Oral Communication

• Communicating tactfully and with diplomacy and presenting ideas and complex materials clearly, logically, and persuasively both in person and in writing
• Presenting training materials to a variety of groups as appropriate for the audience
• Picking up on nuances in tone and meaning and understanding non-verbal cues and body language

Relationship Building | Teamwork | Customer Focus

• Working collaboratively with the team and supervisor toward established goals of the unit
• Developing and maintaining relationships with both internal and external parties
• Understanding and supporting the larger Division goals and program's mission
• Showing interest and understanding the needs, expectations, and circumstances of internal and external customers

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the minimum qualifications for the Health Program Specialist classification as well as the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Online Assessment (Weighted 100%)
Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a series of online examinations related to the essential job functions. The most successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for current and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Gabriela Torres at 714-834-8991 or by email at [email protected]

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 3/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$64,750.40 - $87,235.20 Annually