Description
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring for a Medical Officer (Public Health Medical Officer III) within the Center for Healthcare Quality (CHCQ).
About the Center for Healthcare Quality at CDPH:
Health care facilities in California are licensed, regulated, inspected, and/or certified by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels, including the CDPH Center for Health Care Quality (CHCQ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CHCQ is responsible for ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations. In addition, CHCQ cooperates with CMS to ensure that facilities accepting Medicare and Medi-Cal (in California, Medicaid is referred to as Medi-Cal) payments meet federal requirements. CHCQ also oversees the certification of nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, and the licensing of nursing home administrators.
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.
About the Role:
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by serving in a specialist capacity as expert medical consultant for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections for the HAI Program, other programs in the Department of Public Health, and other state and local agencies and organizations.
The incumbent works under the administrative direction of the Assistant Chief of the Healthcare Associated Infections Program (HAI Program), Center for Healthcare Quality.
Please use thin link to take the Public Health Medical Officer III exam:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2677
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 4.62% in exchange for 8 hours of leave credits through December 2026. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.
Telework Information
This position may be eligible for telework. 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.
Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is 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 attached duty statement.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment
Responsibilities (please see Duty Statement within the job posting for full details):
- Provides consultation and oversight in the planning, organization, and conduct of epidemiologic investigations of healthcare-associated infections. Provides direct assistance in the epidemiologic investigation of outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections and recommends control and prevention measures to local health departments when requested.
- Develops State guidance to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections.
- Provides education and training to healthcare providers on prevention and control of healthcare associated infections. Provides education and consultation on healthcare-associated infections to partners and stakeholders
The deadline to apply is: 04/02/2026 at 11:59pm PST
Link to Apply:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=510381
Link to Minimum Qualifications:
https://eservices.calhr.ca.gov/enterprisehrblazorpublic/Public/ClassSpec/ClassSpecDetail/7705
New to the State application process? To be considered for this role, you must follow the directions below. We do not accept applications from external platforms.
Create a CalCareer account by going to https://calcareers.ca.gov/.
Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.
After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the exam/assessment search tab.
Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.
If you are more of a visual learner, you have the option of checking out our How to Get a State Job Video Series on YouTube. If you prefer a presentation and interactive approach, you might consider signing up for one of our Career Connects. We host Career Connects via Zoom every 3 to 4 weeks. Candidates participate in a How to Get a State Job presentation geared toward specific pathways; afterwards there is an interactive session in breakout rooms, where candidates can speak with HR representatives to answer any questions they may have.
Please reach out to apply@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.
At 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.
