Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-530496
Position #(s):
275-173-7500-003
Working Title:
Health Plan Contracts Chief
Classification:
C. E. A.
$10,349.00 - $12,526.00 A
This is an incentive eligible position. The incumbent will be eligible for an annual incentive award of up to 15% of salary.
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time
Department Information
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation’s largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website !
To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video .
Job Description And Duties
This recruitment requires a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Responses to the identified qualification factors are required for this CEA recruitment. Please see the instructions for the SOQ under the Special Requirements section of this job posting.
Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. We look forward to meeting with you!
This position will run until filled, with cutoff dates for review. The first cutoff date will be September 13, 2026, followed by every Sunday until filled.
California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is currently seeking a talented leader to become Chief of the Health Plan Administration Section.
CalPERS purchases health care for 1.5 million Californians, making it the largest public employer purchaser of healthcare in California and the second largest in the United States. Annually, CalPERS spends nearly $14 billion on healthcare, with approximately $2.5 billion of which is spent on pharmaceuticals. This Chief will lead the team to develop and administer contracts with Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, self-funded Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, and corresponding Population Health Manager (PHM) and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). The Chief is responsible for helping the CalPERS Board of Administration (Board) to determine covered benefits, manage health care costs, refine benefit designs, and pursue quality improvement efforts.
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: CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes
How did you hear about this position? Tell us in this brief survey .
You will find additional information about the job in the
Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)
An SOQ is required and serves as the examination for this CEA recruitment and must be included with your application.
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. You must provide responses including specific examples for each of the qualification factors outlined below. Your Statement must not exceed two pages in length and must not use smaller than 11-point font. Failure to follow this format and Application Instructions may result in disqualification.
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following SOQ factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate and must address the following:
- Describe your ability and experience in planning, organizing, and directing the work of multi-disciplinary professional and administrative staff providing contract procurement, administration, oversight, and compliance activities.
- Describe your experience working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, subject matter experts, and senior leadership to develop policies, procedures, or processes that measure and assess contract performance.
- Describe your demonstrated communication skills and experience presenting sensitive and complex issues and technical requirements, both verbally and in writing, in a way that is understood by a wide range of stakeholders including executive leadership, a governing board or similar body.
- Describe your leadership experience and demonstrated ability to think strategically and function as a member of a high-functioning senior leadership team.
Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as responses to the Statement of Qualifications.
Applications received without the SOQ or with an SOQ not properly formatted will not be considered.
Application Instructions
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: Until Filled
Who May Apply
Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.
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. If You Choose To Not Apply Electronically, a Hard Copy Application Package May Be Submitted Through An Alternative Method Listed Below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Public Employees Retirement System
Postal
Attn: JC-530496/AC
Human Resources Division, Recruitment
P. O. Box 942718
Sacramento , CA 94229-2718
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Public Employees Retirement System
Drop-Off
HRSD, EIR JC-530496/AC
400 Q Street, Lincoln Plaza North
1st floor drop box by security desk
Sacramento , CA 95811
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
