Program Specialist (Behavioral Health)

Company: CalOptima
Location: Orange
Posted on: February 25, 2026

Job Description:

Program Specialist (Behavioral Health) CalOptima Join Us in this Amazing Opportunity The Team You'll Join We are a mission driven community?based organization that serves member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. If you are ready to advance your career while making a difference, we encourage you to review and apply today and help us build healthier communities for all. More About the Opportunity We are hoping you will join us as a Program Specialist (Behavioral Health) and help shape the future of healthcare where you'll be an integral part of our BHI ? Quality & Programs team, helping to strive for excellence while we serve our member health with dignity, respecting the value and needs of each of our members through collaboration with our providers, community partners and local stakeholders. This position has been approved to be Partial Telework. - If telework is approved, you are required to work within the State of California only and if Partial Telework, also come in to the Main Office in Orange, CA, at least two (2) days per week minimum. The Program Specialist (Behavioral Health) will support various projects and initiatives, as well as assist in the coordination of key strategies to effectively enhance the delivery of behavioral health (BH) services. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, participating in and supporting BH workgroups, activities and projects focused on implementing targeted quality initiatives designed to improve access to care, awareness and understanding of BH services. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable health system. Your Contributions To the Team: - 95% ? Program Support - Participates in a mission?driven culture of high?quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity and accountability. - Assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborates with others to support short? and long?term goals/priorities for the department. - Reviews, monitors and tracks quality performance data related to, but not limited to, Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and member and provider experience and access to care against internal and external benchmarks to identify performance gaps and identify opportunities for improvement in a timely manner. - Assists with creating and updating project plans, develops and maintains process flows, maintains project related materials (ex., action plans, intervention logs, tracking and trending) and completes other project related tasks as needed. - Creates, develops and edits member and provider communication pieces. - Prepares and provides coverage for health fairs, continuing education events, material requests and educational sessions. - Conducts comprehensive research on BH topics, interventions and best practices. - Attends and supports cross?functional quality improvement work teams responsible for the identification, implementation and evaluation of BH quality improvement projects, activities and reports. - 5% ? Other - Completes other projects and duties as assigned. Do You Have What the Role Requires? - High school diploma or equivalent PLUS 2 years of experience in the health care industry, preferably in behavioral health, quality, population health and/or health equity public health, required; an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position such as those listed above may also be qualifying. - Experience working with underserved populations to reduce health care disparities required. - Have access to means of transportation for work away from the primary office approximately 20% of the time required. You'll Stand Out More If You Possess the Following: - Bachelor's degree in public health, health policy, health care, public policy administration or related field. - Bilingual in English and in one of CalOptima Health's defined threshold languages (Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese). What the Regulatory Agencies Need You to Possess? - n/a Your Knowledge & Abilities to Bring to this Role: - Develop rapport and establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima Health's leadership and staff and external contacts at all levels and with diverse backgrounds. - Work independently and exercise sound judgment. - Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. - Work a flexible schedule; available to participate in evening and weekend events. - Organize, be analytical, problem?solve and possess project management skills. - Work in a fast?paced environment and in an efficient manner. - Manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for internal and external collaboration. - Motivate and lead multi?program teams and external committees/coalitions. - Utilize computer and appropriate software (e.g., Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and job specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment. Your Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations): - Ability to visually read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information. - Ability to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication. - Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face?to?face interactions. - Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting. - Lifting and moving objects, patients and/or equipment 10 to 25 pounds Ways We Are Here For You - You'll enjoy competitive compensation for this role. - Our current hiring range is: Pay Grade: 305 ? $55,966 ? $83,949 ($26.91 ? $40.3601). - The final salary offered will be based on education, job?related knowledge and experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity among other factors. - This position is approved for Partial Telework (If the position is Telework, it is eligible in California only) - A comprehensive benefits package - CalPERS pension program and additional retirement packages. - Additional benefits and perks including: - A generous PTO program - A quality work life balance - Various wellness programs - Tuition Reimbursement - Professional development opportunities - Career de

Keywords: CalOptima, La Mirada , Program Specialist (Behavioral Health), Healthcare , Orange, California