Overview
Public health roles span a wide range of fields, but all have the underlying mission of enabling Californians to live healthier lives. Through scientific research, creating legislation or providing educational services, these careers help California thrive.
What You Might Work On
In California state government, professionals in this field often:
- Use data and assessments to monitor systems and understand problems
- Advise the public and officials on health laws and regulations
- Manage or support community health initiatives, grants and programs
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Support the implementation of programs to support a healthier California
- Enjoy translating data and research into practical recommendations for communities
- Like collaborating with community partners to design, deliver and evaluate programs
Job Classifications
What are job classifications?
Job classifications map to specific job titles found across California state government. A corresponding code maps to the required exam for that classification. For example, 00104640 is the code for Environmental Planner.
How to use them:
You can use the job classifications to search for positions on CalCareers in the classification section within the advanced search filter. You can also use key words to find roles in the search bar on the home page. Below is a list of common examples, but additional roles and classifications can be found on CalCareers.
| Exam Code | Classification Name | Common Keywords | What You’ll Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00104640 | Environmental Planner | Environmental Planner; Planner | In this role you will make databases and environmental inventories to assess existing social and natural environmental systems. Your work will be used to develop transportation systems in conjunction with local, regional and state plans. You may also prepare, review and process environmental clearance documents for transportation system plans and projects and prepare inventories and analyses of existing and future environmental conditions. |
| 00104726 | Coastal Program Analyst | Coastal Program Analyst | In this entry level position, your role will regulate, monitor and manage uses of California’s ocean and coast and San Francisco Bay and its shoreline. Your duties may include advising permit applicants on the planning, technical and legal aspects of their proposed projects; reviewing and commenting on California Environmental Quality Act documents; consulting with local, regional, state and federal officials and with the public to coordinate and integrate regulatory and planning activities. |
| 00109851 | Clinical Psychology Intern | Clinical Psychology Intern; Psychology | This graduate level position assists in and performs psychological research, collects and organizes data, makes analyses and prepares reports. Your duties may include administering and interpreting psychological tests, interviewing clients or inmates and taking case histories. Through the intern program, you will participate in in-service training programs and gain supervised experience in counseling. |
| 00109023 | Housing and Community Development Representative | Housing and Community Development Representative | This entry level role will maintain, compile and analyze data to evaluate housing trends and prepare housing plans or housing needs plans. You will provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions in the development of housing, community and economic development programs or policies and work with local agencies to ensure continuation of affordable housing, community and economic development programs. |
| 00108333 | Health Education Consultant | Health Education Consultant; Health Education | This master’s degree level role will provide advice and assistance to individuals or public health agencies in the promotion of good health and disease prevention through education, analyze legislative bills for program impact and/or compliance; write articles, reports and studies on various aspects of health education. |
Where You Could Work
State government is broad — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Clinical Health & Epidemiology: California Correctional Health Care Services
- Environment & Natural Resources: California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
- Housing and Urban Development: California Department of Transportation
- Policy & Regulation: California Air Resource Board
Examples of California Agencies with Public Health
Did you know you could have a public health career at one of these agencies? Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all the options in California state government, but a helpful starting place as you begin exploring your future public health career!
| Agency Name |
|---|
| California Air Resources Board |
| California Coastal Commission |
| California Correctional Health Care Services |
| California Department of Developmental Services |
| California Department of Social Services |
| California Department of State Hospitals |
| California Department of Transportation |
| California Department of Veterans Affairs |
| California Department of Water Resources |
| California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services |
Sample Positions
Environmental Planner [00104640]
| Employer / agency | California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Sacramento County |
| Mission context | The Technical Assistance Division supports the CalOES mission and strategic plan through the innovation, planning, development and implementation of mitigation-focused projects and initiatives. The division is responsible for technical assistance to local jurisdictions in devising plans and projects that will advance climate adaptation and equity outcomes to enhance resilience throughout the state of California. |
In this role, you may:
- Assist in the coordination of and/or perform environmental planning, analysis and evaluation of a wide variety of projects and initiatives
- Interact with stakeholders from local, state, tribal, federal, community-based organizations as well as private sector agencies. Provide excellent customer service through community outreach and technical training to all partners
Data Scientist (Epi/Bio) [00105594]
| Employer / agency | California Department of Public Health |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Multiple Counties |
| Mission context | The Immunization Branch and Department of Public Health’s mission is to prevent disease and premature death and to enhance the health and well-being of all Californians. |
In this role, you may:
- Develop, design and implement methods to analyze, evaluate, and disseminate data from the California Immunization Registry and other relevant data
- Use the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to define immunization coverage gaps, focus and drive improvement efforts and reduce health inequities in vaccine-preventable diseases
Social Work Associate [00109871]
| Employer / agency | California Department of Veterans Affairs |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Napa County |
| Mission context | California Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of services, from our network of award-winning veterans’ homes to our innovative home loans program. Established in 1884, the Veterans Home of California-Yountville is the most comprehensive facility of its type in the United States, providing multiple levels of award-winning care and accommodating the needs of up to 876 residents and their spouses. Spanning more than 600 acres in the heart of the Napa Valley, the home offers a wide range of services and amenities to its residents. |
In this role, you may:
- Provide medically related social services that assist residents in adjusting to communal living to achieve productive social transition
- Assist residents in addressing various social needs to achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive social adjustments
- Provide assistance in all phases of the social work program, including casework duties, planning treatment programs and group activities
