​Health Planning Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 30, 1976

Scope

This series specification describes classes which perform a variety of tasks related to policy planning and evaluation of health services. Incumbents in the series perform short, intermediate, and long-term planning studies for health services and for financing the delivery of health services. In the course of these planning activities, incumbents coordinate and maintain liaison with Federal, State and local health planning groups, local health planning agencies, department managers and staff, professional organizations, universities, citizens committees, and others participating in regional and statewide health planning studies. Specific tasks include: designs study methodology and application of analytical techniques; collection, analysis and interpretation of data from primary and secondary sources; prepares reports; reviews plans and evaluations prepared in other programs of the department; develops methods of evaluation for cost effectiveness of community programs; evaluates the economic impact of proposed methods and programs of health care service delivery systems; makes presentations to the Legislature, reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, participates or acts as team leader for conferences or task forces on large studies; presents departmental positions before administrative law judges; directs the activities of subordinate staff; and performs other health planning activities as required.

Entry Levels

Entry into this series may be from the Health Analyst classification; comparable professional levels both inside and outside State service; and college graduates with specialization in related fields.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Variety and complexity of assignments; scope and complexity of health planning responsibility; independence of action; level of decision-making authority; the incumbent's demonstrable effect on major departmental programs; the degree of originality of techniques employed; the impact of analysis on the health service field; and supervision exercised.

Associate Health Planning Analyst

This is the full journey level. Under direction, incumbents perform the more responsible, varied, difficult and complex health planning projects, or serve as a team leader on less complex projects.

The classification of Health Analyst is the recruiting, development and first working level for positions which perform health planning program development work on one or more aspects in a broad range of health program areas.

Positions are permanently allocated to the Health Analyst class when the major portion of the functions inherent in the position does not include the more responsible, varied and difficult assignments found at the full journeyperson level.

Health Planning Specialist I

Positions at this level function as recognized authorities in areas of extreme sensitivity, with ongoing coordinating responsibility over other analysts in a sensitive area of a department's operation, usually on a task force or project basis, or functions as nonsupervisory staff specialists in difficult and sensitive program development, policy, or coordination positions.

Health Planning Specialist II

An incumbent in this class functions as a nonsupervisory expert in a position that meets all the following criteria:

(1) The function to be performed is critical to the department's basic mission;

(2) The level of expertise required is definably greater than that for any other supervisory position at this level;

(3) The person proposed for the position has an established reputation in the area of expertise required.

Health Planning Manager II

This is the full supervisory level. Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize, and direct the work of a staff conducting comprehensive health planning projects.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

The following education is required when the non-California state service experience pattern is used to qualify at any level.

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Supervisory, administrative, or clinical experience in health planning, public health, or health program administration may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (Also one year of graduate study in public or health administration or health may be substituted for six months of the required general experience.)

Associate Health Planning Analyst

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties comparable to those of a Health Analyst, Range C.

Or II

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of health performing technical planning or research duties, at least one year of which must have been in the field of health policy development, design and analysis of health surveys, and writing of the related analytical reports.

Health Planning Specialist I

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties comparable to those of an Associate Health Planning Analyst.

Or II

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of health performing technical planning or research duties, at least two years of which must have included development of health policy, design and formulation of health programs, planning health services or reviewing health programs.

Health Planning Specialist II

Health Planning Manager II

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties comparable to a Health Planning Specialist I.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing duties comparable to those of an Associate Health Planning Analyst.

Or III

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of health performing technical planning or research duties, at least three years of which must have included development of health policy, design and formulation of health programs, planning health services, or reviewing health programs. (Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility not less than that of a Health Planning Specialist I.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Associate Health Planning Analyst

Knowledge of: Health program content; principles, problems, and procedures involved in developing program plans; legislative processes; methods of preparing reports; research techniques; public health and mental health programs and trends.

Ability to: Gather, analyze, and organize data related to program planning; analyze problems of program planning; carry out assignments without detailed instructions; act as liaison; represent the department on interagency committees concerned with health program evaluation and planning; and speak and write effectively.

Health Planning Specialist I

Health Planning Specialist II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and a good understanding of the department's policies, objectives, and program constraints.

Ability to: All of the above, and independently prepare and complete complex assignments or projects with minimum supervision.

Health Planning Manager II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and procedures involved in developing and evaluating health program plans; principles and practices of employee supervision, development and training; program management; methods and techniques of effective task force leadership; the department's health programs and policies; population, social, economic and staffing trends affecting health services; a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment; and principles of personnel management and supervision.

Ability to: All of the above, and design health planning study methodology; manage a complex health services program or project, establish and maintain project priorities, supervise effectively, utilize interdisciplinary teams effectively in the conduct of studies and effectively utilize all available resources; work cooperatively with other State, local and Federal agencies and representatives concerned with health programs and services; organize and direct the collection and analysis of data; establish and maintain effective working relationships; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment; and adopt an effective course of action.

Class History