Salary : $266,475.04 - $340,098.72 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-5121-01
Department: County Health Department
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
DescriptionThe County of Santa Barbara is seeking an experienced physician executive to serve as its next
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), with a primary focus on administration, management, and organizational leadership. This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative healthcare leader to guide clinical operations, strengthen accountability and effectiveness, and support the continued evolution of care delivery across a complex healthcare system. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CMO helps align clinical and administrative priorities and advance approaches that improve service delivery and outcomes for diverse communities throughout Santa Barbara County. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in primary care and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) leadership, with experience in clinical program management, healthcare administration, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.
This experience should be complemented by data-driven decision-making and the adaptability, communication, and relationship-building skills needed to lead successfully across clinical and administrative teams.
Retirement Plans - Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
- Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
- For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and
Health Benefits - Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
- On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
- Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
- Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
- For more information on our health benefits, please visit:
Paid Time Off - Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
- Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
- Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
- Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
- For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)
Miscellaneous Benefits - County Paid Term Life Insurance
- County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
- Childcare and Employee Discounts
- Relocation Assistance may apply
- Flexible work schedule may apply
- For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:
Compensation Summary - To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:
*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
