County Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description Notice of Change: This recruitment is open until filled; first review of applications on 7/24/2026. SALARY: $126,102.08 - $160,940 Annually County Health is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Indigent Care Program Manager vacancy in Santa Barbara, California. Although the location for this position is listed as Santa Barbara, the incumbent may be assigned to different locations throughout the County based on the needs of the department

The County job classification title is Health Services Manager II. This position is "At-Will" and exempt from Civil Service provisions. All County leaders are expected to uphold the values of accountability, customer-focus, and efficiency.

Incumbents lead others and model behaviors that exemplify quality customer service; provide effective and ethical leadership; creatively and strategically plan, develop, and implement programs that use human and financial resources to achieve results; are accountable for strategy and goal formation consistent with the County's mission and key business objectives; engage stakeholders; communicate and collaborate effectively at multiple levels; develop employees; analyze issues and data; and efficiently use public resources. THE POSITION The Indigent Care Program Manager is responsible for the overall management and daily operation of the Indigent Care Program (ICP). This role provides leadership and supervision to program staff while ensuring eligible patients receive timely, coordinated, and appropriate health care services.

The ICP Manager builds and maintains strong working relationships with hospitals, specialists, and community partners, and oversees eligibility determination, referrals, care coordination, and claims reconciliation. This position plays a key role in ensuring continuity of care for patients served through the Indigent Care Program. Key Responsibilities: Program Management & Operations In collaboration with Health Department leadership, revised the Indigent Care Program policy including patient eligibility, enrollment process, coverage duration, covered services, cost-sharing, administration, provider network Oversee day-to-day operations of the Indigent Care Program, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and applicable regulations Develop, implement, and maintain program procedures, including eligibility determination and referral processes Monitor program performance and service delivery to ensure quality, efficiency, and patient-centered care Identify opportunities for program improvement and recommend operational enhancements Staff Supervision & Leadership Supervise, train, and support program staff Assign workloads, provide guidance, and conduct performance evaluations Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment Community & Provider Relations Establish and maintain effective working relationships with hospitals, specialists, and other community health partners Serve as the primary point of contact for external providers participating in the Indigent Care Program Coordinate referrals and follow-up care with community partners Patient Eligibility, Referrals & Care Coordination Establish and oversee procedures to determine patient eligibility for the Indigent Care Program Refer eligible patients to County Health Care Centers, hospitals, and specialists and ensure appropriate authorization and documentation Coordinate care for patients to ensure continuity across services and providers Review level of services provided to ensure appropriateness and alignment with program guidelines Claims & Financial Coordination Receive, review, and reconcile patient claims related to services provided through the Indigent Care Program Work with internal departments and external providers to resolve discrepancies or issues related to claims and services IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS: Strong program management experience within health and indigent care programs, with working knowledge of State and Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans.

Provide strategic guidance and direction regarding the implementation and ongoing optimization of the County's Indigent Care Program. Effective, supportive people leader who can coach, supervise, and develop staff in a collaborative, accountable environment. Skilled relationship-builder with a proven ability to partner with hospitals, specialists, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Demonstrated experience serving vulnerable and diverse populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, with a commitment to equitable, patient-centered care. Highly detail-oriented and adept at managing eligibility processes, referrals, care coordination, and claims reconciliation while identifying opportunities for operational improvement. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the second manager level in the Health Services Management job family series and manages a mid-size program within a department or division, or multiple small programs.

Incumbents establish annual goals and priorities, influence the direction for new or revised services, programs, processes, standards, or operational plans, based upon the County's long-term strategies. Positions have a direct impact on the work unit or program and may impact the entire department. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Reports to an executive or Level III manager.

Provides direct supervision to two or more individuals within a program. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned professional, technical, and administrative staff. THE DEPARTMENT: County of Santa Barbara Health: Our mission is to improve the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting wellness and health equity, while ensuring access to needed health care, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Our vision is healthy people, healthy community, healthy environment. With a staff of 530+ and a budget of approximately $109 million, County Health serves a population of about 440,000 residents in Santa Barbara County. For more information, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/410/Public-Health

BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: Retirement reciprocity Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate Examples of Duties These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual. Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the daily operations of the Indigent Care Program, ensuring delivery of timely, coordinated, and appropriate services across public health, medical, and community care settings.

Establishes program goals, priorities, and operational standards; recommends and implements revisions to policies, procedures, coverage guidelines, and service delivery models to align with departmental and County strategic objectives. Oversees and evaluates program activities, including eligibility determination, enrollment processes, referrals, care coordination, and claims reconciliation to ensure efficiency, quality, and patient-centered service. Serves as a subject matter expert by applying technical, analytical, and regulatory knowledge to assess program performance, identify service gaps, develop findings, and provide recommendations to higher-level management.

Directs, coordinates, and participates in the development, implementation, and monitoring of program goals, objectives, workflows, and procedures that balance mandated responsibilities with community needs. Negotiates, develops, manages, and monitors contracts with hospitals, specialists, and community providers to ensure compliance with service expectations, reimbursement requirements, and program standards. Researches, analyzes, and prepares studies, reports, claims reviews, operational data, proposals, and other materials; develops recommendations regarding program improvements, resource needs, and service delivery enhancements.

Evaluates and updates operational processes, service protocols, referral pathways, and provider engagement strategies; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements best practices to strengthen access and continuity of care. Oversees budgetary and procurement activities for the Indigent Care Program; evaluates financial and claims data; develops resource allocation recommendations; and ensures responsible fiscal management. Troubleshoots and resolves operational, provider, and patient-related issues; collaborates with internal departments and external partners to resolve service or claims discrepancies; and keeps higher-level management informed of significant issues and resolutions.

Oversees the preparation of contracts, reports, plans, and other documents related to program administration; conducts policy analysis; and provides recommendations to departmental leadership. Supervises program staff, including assigning and monitoring work, providing training and development, conducting performance evaluations, and addressing personnel actions such as hiring and discipline. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with hospitals, specialists, County staff, and community health partners; serves as the primary point of contact for contracted providers; represents the program on committees; and prepares and delivers presentations to stakeholders as needed.

Performs other related duties as required. Employment Standards The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be: Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Health, Health Administration, Public Administration, or related field AND, Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a related field including at least two (2) years as a supervisor or manager.

Licenses and Certificates For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment. Desirable Qualifications Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), or Master of Public Administration (MPA) Clinical Social Work (LCSW) or Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT), Registered Nurse (RN), Project Management Professional (PMP) Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and techniques of health care management in a public agency setting including public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and medical health including the interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Trends in public, mental, medical, and correctional health, and recovery education, treatment, prevention, and related issues.

Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation. Management principles, practices, and techniques. Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.

Principles and practices of program planning and administration. Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation. Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.

Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building. Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration. Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards. Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment. Social, economic, cultural, and other issues impacting program area.

Ability to: Effectively administer public health, mental health and recovery, correctional health, and/or medical health programs and activities. Manage assigned operations/programs; ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures. Develop and implement policies and procedures.

Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in the development of goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning/monitoring work. Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures. Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.

Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation. Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics. Oversee the implementation of, and adherence to, quality assurance activities and standards.

Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices. Resolve complex problems within area of assignment. Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and presentations.

Make presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public. Creates and provides informative presentations to stakeholders, elected officials, County leadership, and the public. Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership.

Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards. Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.

May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Supplemental Information APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss the required deadlines. Reasonable Accommodations: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verifications of the accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution...