Job Description
Job Description and Duties
Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning the week of February 16, 2026.
CalPERS seeks a Health Program Specialist II (HPS II) in the Health Policy and Benefits Branch / Clinical Policy and Programs Division (CPPD). CPPD develops and monitors clinical policy with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Self-Funded Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), and Long-Term Care (LTC) Program. CalPERS Health Plans provide medical and pharmacy benefits to approximately 1.5 million members.
Under the general direction of the Medical Program Consultant, the HPS II will act as a project lead on health care policy planning and implementation; prepare technical and complex reports related to health care policy; work collaboratively with intra- and inter-Departmental staff on complex issues pertaining to health care policy planning and development; act as project team lead, providing expert technical guidance and monitoring of clinical initiatives and projects. This includes clinical programs outlined in the CalPERS strategic plan, such as behavioral health integration, pharmaceutical policy and cost-effectiveness, telehealth policy and health equity among CalPERS HMO and PPO plans.
Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.
Sponsorship This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay. How did you hear about this position? Tell us in this brief survey .
You will find additional information about the job in the .
Special Requirements
Statement of Qualifications
Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below
will not be considered.
The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed one page in length and must not have font smaller than 11-point.
- Please describe your experience developing comprehensive reports and/or policy papers on specific health care policy issues.
- Please describe your experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders. How did you ensure that the project was completed timely and successfully?
- Please describe how your experience and education aligns with the requirements of this position as described in the duty statement.
Minimum Qualifications All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."
Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website .
Career Services & Outreach Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation?The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach (CSO) team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation. To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services Consultations .
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:
- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of data analysis techniques
- Ability to work independently under general direction
- Ability to perform complex analyses with attention to detail
- Knowledge of or ability and willingness to learn components of healthcare data, healthcare costs, and health insurance policy development
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
- Knowledge of or ability and willingness to learn state and federal legislative processes and impacts to health care policy and program administration programs
- Knowledge of innovative and effective health care programs both statewide and nationally, as well as State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations governing health care policy and administration
Benefits
CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.
Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:
- Alternate Work Schedules
- Flexible Work Hours
- Onsite childcare facility
- Onsite fitness center
- Onsite café and nearby restaurants
- Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
- Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.
Additional Information
Live Scan
Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
CalPERS Disclosure Requirements If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)
Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at
All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Statement of Qualifications - In addition to completing your online job application, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. We ask that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Remote work, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours,