California Primary Care Association
Deputy Director of Government Affairs - Hybrid Sacramento CA
1231 I St Ste 400, Sacramento, CA 95814
Hybrid · Full-time · $119k–$126k (as posted)
First seen by offpeak October 6, 2026
See your drive time Apply on California Primary Care Association's site
Association’s Mission:
California Primary Care Association's (CPCA's) mission is to lead and position community clinics, health centers and networks through advocacy, education, and services as key players in the health care delivery system to improve the health status of their communities.
Purpose of the Position:
CPCA and its affiliate, CPCA Advocates (Advocates), are statewide leaders in advancing policies that support community health centers, expand access to care, promote health equity, and strengthen California's health care delivery system.
The Deputy Director of Government Affairs helps position CPCA and Advocates as leading voices on health care policy before the California Legislature and Administration. This position plays an active role in legislative and budget advocacy efforts by analyzing policy proposals, developing advocacy strategies, communicating legislative priorities to policymakers and members, building and maintaining strategic relationships, participating in coalitions, and representing Advocates before legislative and budget committees. The Deputy Director also supports the development of CPCA's legislative priorities, public policy principles, and advocacy initiatives that advance community health centers and health equity throughout California.
Primary Responsibilities:
Legislative Advocacy & Policy
- Research, analyze, and track legislative and regulatory proposals affecting community health centers, health care access, and CPCA policy priorities.
- Assess proposed legislation and regulations, develop recommendations consistent with CPCA policy, and support the development and implementation of legislative and budget advocacy strategies.
- Draft position letters, legislative correspondence, talking points, testimony, and other advocacy materials.
- Represent Advocates at legislative and budget hearings and communicate timely legislative and regulatory updates to CPCA leadership, members, committees, and stakeholders.
- Support the development of CPCA's public policy principles and legislative priorities.
Legislative & Government Relationships
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with legislators, legislative staff, state officials, CPCA leaders, members, and other government affairs stakeholders.
- Meet with legislators and legislative staff to communicate CPCA priorities and advocate for policy positions.
- Develop expertise in assigned policy areas and serve as a resource to CPCA staff and members.
Coalition Building & Advocacy Strategy
- Develop and maintain coalitions and strategic partnerships in support of CPCA legislative priorities.
- Coordinate advocacy strategies with coalition partners and identify opportunities to advance CPCA policy priorities.
- Collaborate with advocacy, communications, grassroots, and policy partners to support legislative and advocacy efforts.
Member & Internal Engagement
- Communicate legislative and regulatory developments to CPCA members, committees, and other stakeholders through written materials, presentations, meetings, and other forums.
- Staff CPCA committees, workgroups, task forces, peer networks, and other governance bodies as assigned.
- Collaborate with CPCA departments to support advocacy, communications, grassroots engagement, and organizational alignment.
Organizational Leadership
- Engage in Advocates activities in collaboration with the Vice President of Government Affairs and the Director of Government Affairs and Political Engagement.
- Manage multiple legislative and policy assignments while meeting deadlines in a fast-moving legislative environment.
- Take ownership of assigned policy areas and progressively develop independent expertise and responsibility.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Support the Association’s Strategic Plan
- Respond promptly and thoroughly to member inquiries.
- Assist with grant and budget management, contract development and reporting.
- Serve as lead staff to designated peer networks, work groups, task forces and committees.
- Serve as a subject‑matter resource, providing guidance and sharing expertise with team members.
- High levels of interaction with association members, vendors, and strategic partners.
- Travel for national and regional meetings, trainings, and site visits by air and ground transportation, as required.
- Report regularly to supervisor.
Skills and Abilities Required:
- Ability to quickly understand complex legislative and policy issues and communicate their importance clearly and persuasively.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships for advocacy purposes.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments with minimal supervision.
- Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong interpersonal and professional skills when engaging with Association members, the Board of Directors, vendors, partners, legislators, legislative staff, and government officials.
- Ability to develop a high level of expertise in assigned policy areas and provide guidance and technical assistance to CPCA staff and members.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based applications and platforms.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, public policy, advocacy, political engagement, public affairs, or a related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience working with the California Legislature or California state government.
- Experience in California healthcare policy and an understanding of the impact of federal policy on healthcare issues.
- Experience with community health centers, membership associations, or nonprofit organizations is also preferred.
Compensation: $118,959 - $125,957
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- Hybrid work schedule (2 days in the office weekly, with an additional in-office day once per month)
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance
- 5% employer retirement contribution
- Generous paid time off: 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 2 floating holidays, plus 18 paid holidays (including a December 24th - January 1st Winter Break)
- Monthly stipends: $50 for cell phone and $50 for internet
- Parking benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and voluntary benefits, including pet insurance, Aflac, and FSA options
Association Expectation:
Due to network security and hybrid work this position requires the employee to have a cell phone with a data plan and home internet service, both are reimbursed at a set rate each month. All hires are required to maintain residence in California. This is a hybrid position with employees coming into the office in downtown Sacramento.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information
- Operating a computer and other office productivity equipment
- Seeing to read a variety of materials
- Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching
- Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
- Lifting objects up to 30 pounds
- Close vision and ability to adjust focus
Work Environment:
- Noise level is generally moderate, but at times can be noisy
- Meetings conducted in a Zoom or office setting
- Indoor varying temperature
- Employee must have available transportation and be able to commute into office
Equal Opportunity Employment:
CPCA’s workforce strives to represent California’s population, while also meeting the highest standards and qualifications of our industry.