Assistant Deputy Director, Nursing Operations
About the Department
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment, and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Our mission is to facilitate the successful reintegration of individuals in our care by providing tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society. We are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and fulfilling environments for employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in communities.
CDCR and CCHCS value diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We attract and empower employees from varied backgrounds and perspectives, driving collaborative efforts at all levels. Our team works cooperatively to provide high-quality healthcare—including medical, dental, nursing, mental health, and pharmacy services—to a diverse correctional population.
About the Role
This is a Limited-Term position for 24 months, with the possibility of becoming permanent after a one-year probationary period. The Assistant Deputy Director (ADD), Nursing Operations, provides executive nursing leadership, direction, and oversight for nursing operations across all four regions. The role advances institutional professional nursing practice, ensures high-quality patient outcomes, and aligns nursing operations with organizational strategic priorities.
The ADD is administratively responsible for ensuring timely, safe, efficient, and cost-effective nursing practices within CDCR adult institutions. The position informs the development of statewide nursing policies, clinical programs, staffing models, and nursing informatics. The ADD functionally supervises Regional Chief Nurse Executives (RCNE) and participates in the selection of healthcare executives and nursing managers. Extensive travel is required. Candidates may be eligible for relocation reimbursement if they meet criteria requirements.
This position is located at headquarters in Elk Grove, California. Main communication will be via email; a valid email address is required on your application.
Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) requires full-time employees in Bargaining Unit 17 (and related Excluded, Exempt, and Statutory Exempt employees) to have their base salary reduced by 3% and receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Part-time and permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same conditions on a prorated basis.
Responsibilities
- Provide executive nursing leadership, direction, and oversight for nursing operations across all four regions.
- Advance institutional professional nursing practice and ensure high-quality patient outcomes.
- Align nursing operations with organizational strategic priorities.
- Ensure timely, safe, efficient, and cost-effective nursing practices within CDCR adult institutions.
- Inform the development of statewide nursing policies, clinical programs, staffing models, and nursing informatics.
- Functionally supervise Regional Chief Nurse Executives (RCNE).
- Participate in the selection of healthcare executives and nursing managers.
- Engage in extensive travel as required.
Benefits
- Possibility of relocation reimbursement (if criteria are met).
- Eligibility for permanent status after a 24-month limited-term appointment and a one-year probationary period.