JC-482594 - Cost Containment and Compliance Specialist
The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for 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.
About the CDPH/WIC Family
Over 200 state staff work at CDPH’s WIC Division, headquartered at the Natomas campus in Sacramento. WIC is committed to a hybrid workforce and the state provides a modest stipend for those who fully and partially work from home. Staff are provided with a computer or laptop, camera, and large screen to conduct their work. We build our unit teams virtually and maintain contact with stakeholders by being on camera to solidify our relationships.
The WIC Division is led by senior managers administering a Local Policy and Health Programs Branch, Local Services Branch, Vendor Management Branch, Communications, Food, and Vendor Policy Branch, Data and Integrity Branch, WIC Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team. Through these branches, support staff, analysts, specialists, researchers, and nutritionists serve the needs of WIC families, supports our program partners, and ensures the California WIC Program is administered appropriately and effectively.
The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.
“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”
Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov
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 an employee of the Federal Grant Management Section, the incumbent is part of a team that ensures the integrity and accountability of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food grant expenditures.
The candidate works under the general direction of the Chief, Federal Grant Estimate and Settlement Unit, Staff Services Manager I (SSM I). The Research Data Specialist I (RDS I) is responsible for the research and analysis of vendor peer group pricing for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) redemption data for the purpose of managing the food grant for the WIC Program and identifying potential program abuse. Ensuring that the WIC Program meets the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) standard for cost containment and compliance with federal regulations regarding vendor cost neutrality. Evaluate redemption data from the EBT system of benefit issuance, identifying relationships and trends in order to provide recommendations for adjustments to vendor reimbursement rates. Additionally, incumbent will perform complex financial modelling and regression analysis for completion of the food forecast model, projecting annual food grant expenditures for the WIC Program for monthly grant reporting to USDA and for completion of the semi-annual Governor’s Budget Estimate. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of statistical, research, and mathematical methodologies and techniques; as well as business intelligence software applications.
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.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
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:
• Completed Staff Work methodology
• State and federal policies and regulations
• Information gathering techniques
• Data-driven decision-making techniques
Experience in:
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex statistical data
• Experience with providing consultative advice or support interpreting existing reports and data models
• Communicating sensitive and confidential materials clearly and concisely in written and verbal formats
• Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
• Leading workgroups, projects, or teams
• Presenting to internal and external stakeholders
• Microsoft Excel, specifically with creating Pivot Tables, Power Pivots, Advanced Formulas, Automation, and Queries.
• Analyzing and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of program, policies, regulations, and/or procedures
• Reconciling discrepancies in various forms of information
• Applying laws and regulations in public health or closely related field
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=482594
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.