JC-– Vector-Borne Diseases Section Chief

Overview

JC-505870 – Vector-Borne Diseases Section Chief

Recruitment began on February 5, 2026, and the job listing expires on February 26, 2026. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is hiring a Vector-Borne Diseases Section (VBDS) Chief (Research Scientist Supervisor II) within the Center for Infectious Diseases’ Division of Communicable Disease Control. The VBDS is a key program assessing and developing policies regarding vector-borne diseases, such as hantavirus, plague, and tick and mosquito-borne diseases.

The Final date to receive applications is February 26, 2026, at 11:59PM PT. Please reach out to  with any questions.

• Directs and supervises a multidisciplinary team comprised of 24 scientific and 3 non-scientific staff in three regional units (Northern, Southern, and Coastal) and one special project unit
• Designs, plans, organizes, and directs Section projects, programs and staff research activities; recruits, interviews, selects, and trains new staff; guides, tracks, and evaluates employee performance; assures compliance with state policies; and handles employee problems
• Manages program budget; provides contract oversight; and oversees the preparation of administrative and scientific reports and documents
• Evaluates professional scientific literature and current policy questions to develop Section goals, research priorities, and otherwise determine overall program directions
• Plans and coordinates emergency control programs in the event of major disasters or vector-borne disease outbreaks
• Provides administrative guidance and leadership in conceiving, organizing, and directing complex, long-term scientific research studies on the epidemiology, ecology, prevention, and control of existing and emerging vector-borne diseases, including studies with broad statewide impact, high sensitivity, and policy impact
• Conducts and directs the analysis and interpretation of research findings to ascertain or reduce public health risk, and integrates findings into the decision-making process, reviews data for publication in scientific and technical reports
• Plans and sets goals for long-range development and operation of the program and provides leadership in vector-borne diseases in Division-wide and statewide planning activities
• Keeps abreast of scientific and policy developments in surveillance, epidemiology, prevention and control of vector-borne infectious diseases and arthropods of public health importance
• Analyzes critical issues; proposes and implements alternative courses of action and evaluation as needed; directs and implements the preparation of grants, budget change proposals, and bill analyses; and prepares recommended budget and staffing changes to address program needs

At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The following steps will navigate you through the application process: