State of California

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives and Equity, the Assistant Deputy Director (ADD) of Communications is the senior communications strategist and principal operational coordinator for the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Equity. The ADD provides oversight of cross-functional communications while ensuring strategic integration across the division’s three functional areas: Communications, Strategic Initiatives, and Equity.

The ADD serves as a member of the CDA Executive Team and supports CDA’s program areas to manage the department’s education and outreach campaigns. The ADD supports CDA and the Master Plan for Aging (MPA) initiatives by developing and disseminating communications to inform and educate the public and stakeholders about goals, milestones, activities, and events. The ADD’s role is also critical in sharing out information and resources to older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and CDA’s network of partners and providers.

The ADD serves as the Assistant Director’s chief advisor and lead strategist on internal and external messaging, cross-initiative coordination, and performance tracking. The position oversees a team to ensure timely, inclusive, and strategic delivery of division-wide goals and campaigns.

The ADD ensures that communications reflect the department’s values of equity, accessibility, and transparency, and aligns public messaging with the Governor’s MPA and other California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) priorities.

The position and office are headquartered in Sacramento, CA.

This is an exempt executive assignment (at-will) position, non-tenured, full time, and is appointed by the Governor's Office. All applicants must apply on the Governor's website in order to be considered, you may apply directly by using this link: Dept of Aging, Assistant Director of Communications

If you have any questions about the appointments process for an Exempt/Governor’s Appointment position please contact Curtis Lang, Jr, Deputy Appointments Secretary at (916) 445-4541, or: Curtis.Lang@gov.ca.gov

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The physical work location of the position is designated at the department's headquarters location, a three-story building and standard office modular workspace located in Natomas. The duties of the position require sitting for long periods of time while using a personal computer, reviewing documents, and attending meetings whether they are digital (i.e., Zoom, WebEx, MS Teams, etc.) or in person.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

• Assistant Director of Communications

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-482029

Position #(s):

797-510-1466-001

Working Title:

Assistant Deputy Director of Communications

Classification:

Assistant Director of Communications

$9,951.00 - $11,085.00

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:

Exempt Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. The Department administers funds allocated under the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and through the Medi-Cal program.

Recognizing that California’s over-65 population is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-14-19 calling for the creation of a Master Plan for Aging to be developed by December - 2020. The Master Plan will serve as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote healthy aging. CDA will play an integral part in the development and implementation of the Master Plan.

To learn more about CDA, visit:

https://www.aging.ca.gov/

To learn more about the Master Plan for Aging activities and status, visit:

https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/

To learn more about the Master Plan and the Governor's Executive Order, visit:

https://www.chhs.ca.gov/home/master-plan-for-aging/

Special Requirements

Special Requirements of Position:

This is an exempt executive assignment (at-will) position, non-tenured, full time, and is appointed by the Governor's Office. All applicants must apply on the Governor's website in order to be considered, you may apply directly by using this link: Dept of Aging, Assistant Director of Communications

• The Assistant Deputy Director must maintain consistent and regular attendance; communicate effectively and professionally (both orally and in writing) in dealing with the public and/or other employees; develop and maintain knowledge and skill related to specific tasks, methodologies, materials, tools and equipment; complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner; and adhere to all departmental policies and procedures.
• The Assistant Deputy Director must be able to work within tight deadlines and respond quickly to CalHHS, the Governor’s Office and the media.
• The Assistant Deputy Director must have the ability to deal with adverse situations that arise during the course of the day, such as customers and stakeholders with difficult challenges.
• The Assistant Deputy Director must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of both the state communications processes; the administrative processes and how they relate to and overlap each other.
• The Assistant Deputy Director must have experience working in the communications field or in a communications office within the past five years.
• The Assistant Deputy Director exercises good judgment in making decisions affecting all aspects of the Office of Communications functions and is responsible for the maintenance of policies and procedures for the Office, and organizational structure and staffing. Poor judgment and decisions can adversely impact the Governor's Office and CalHHS and jeopardize the integrity and success of California’s aging programs.
• The Assistant Deputy Director has frequent contact with CalHHS, the media, other state agencies, internal staff and management within the department, as well as local Area Agencies on Aging, federal governmental agencies and the general public.
• The Assistant Deputy Director is responsible for performing some of the administrative functions of the Office of Communications including the maintenance of effective policies and procedures.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. 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: 8/6/2025

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs. Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Exempt Position by the State of California.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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:

California Department of Aging

Mail In Address

Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-482029

2880 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 310

Sacramento, CA 95833

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

California Department of Aging

Drop Off Address

Human Resources Branch JC-482029

2880 Gateway Oaks Drive

(Drop box located on 1st floor right side of elevator)

Sacramento, CA 95833

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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualification is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications Instructions" section below for specific requirements.

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.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge and experience working in a communications office, interacting with the media, and high-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to act independently, open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact. Must exercise good judgment in making decisions affecting all aspects of the Office of Communications functions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to build consensus and facilitate teamwork.

Benefits

Our employees enjoy meaningful and interesting work that supports access to programs and services that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout California.

To learn more about benefits, visit the Exempt Benefits page on the CalHR website.

CDA is located close to downtown and is easily accessible from various main thoroughfares (i.e. Interstate-5 and Inerstate-80). Employees enjoy a great team environment with amenities including: FREE PARKING and close to various dining and shopping choices in the Natomas area.

General State Employment Benefits and Protections

Click here to view more information about the outstanding benefits offered to State employees.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:

Human Resources Branch

(916) 419-7525

Careers@aging.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

EEO Officer

(916) 898-9480

eeo@aging.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as a narrative assessment of how an applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities align with the requirements of the Assistant Deputy Director of Communications position. The SOQ also provides a writing sample and will be used to evaluate each candidate’s ability to communicate information clearly and concisely.

PLEASE NOTE: Resumes, cover letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered in place of the SOQ.

DISCLAIMER: Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ as instructed below may be disqualified from the selection process.

INSTRUCTIONS

Your SOQ must:

• Include your full name (Last, First) at the top of each page
• List each original SOQ question prior to your response
• Answer the questions in numerical order
• Be typed in Arial 12-point font
• Be no more than three single-sided, single-spaced pages

QUESTIONS:

1. Leadership and Management Experience
2. Describe your experience working with executive or senior leadership, including your ability to provide direction, manage teams, and oversee the operations of a Communications Office or similar function.
3. Strategic Communications Planning
4. Provide examples of your experience developing and implementing communications plans, including messaging, outreach strategies, and rollout efforts for complex or sensitive programmatic or policy initiatives.
5. Stakeholder and Interpersonal Communication
6. How do you demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization, respond to constituent inquiries, and build productive relationships with external stakeholders, including partner agencies and advocacy organizations.
7. Digital and Social Media Strategy
8. Explain your experience monitoring public perception, managing digital communications channels, and proactively identifying and responding to communication opportunities using current trends and platforms.
9. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Integration
10. Describe your experience working across teams or divisions—particularly with areas such as equity, policy, or strategic planning—to align messaging and coordinate integrated outreach or campaign efforts.

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.

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