What are the responsibilities and job description for the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III position at CA High Speed Rail Authority?
Under the administrative direction of the Chief Information Security Officer, an Information Technology Manager (IT) II of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), the IT Specialist III (Security Architect) is responsible for the design and implementation of enterprise-wide security architectures. The incumbent leads the design, development, and governance of enterprise security architectures, ensuring alignment with statewide standards, federal regulations, and industry best practices. The ITS III is responsible for defining security reference architectures, guiding technology adoption, and providing expert consultation to executives, program managers, and technical staff. The incumbent’s work directly influences enterprise-wide information security resilience, strategic planning, and risk reduction.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Part-time telework is available for this position for California residents based on the requirements of the position and may be discussed during the interview process. Hiring interviews may be available virtually, using teleconferencing or video conferencing options.
While working on site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled cubicle which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. Incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and video display terminal and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employees may be required to travel outside of their workstation to perform general tasks.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. Completing this survey is not required to be considered for this vacancy.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCM6SCC
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/
Special Requirements
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. The SOQ must be no more than three (3) pages, single-spaced, with one-inch margins, in 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. The SOQ must discuss the applicant’s applicable experience as it pertains to each item below. Applicants who do not follow these requirements may be disqualified from the hiring process. A resume is required but does not take the place of the SOQ. Cover letters and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ.
You must respond to all the following items:
5. Provide an example of a security incident or audit finding that led to a change in your organization’s security architecture. What architectural improvements did you implement to remediate the issue?
NOTE: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.
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: 12/16/2025Who May Apply
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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see above “Special Requirements” section for SOQ instructions.
Desirable Qualifications
- Master’s (preferred) or bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field of study.
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in information security, with at least three (3) years in security architecture or senior-level security engineering roles.
- Possession of one of the following active certifications:
– Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)
– Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture (SABSA)
– The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)
– AWS/Azure Security Architect
– Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
– Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Demonstrated technical leadership in enterprise security architecture or comparable senior-level security engineering roles.
- Experience designing and implementing Zero Trust architectures at enterprise scale.
- Hands-on experience with secure cloud migrations, hybrid architectures, and multi-cloud security solutions.
- Strong technical writing and presentation skills, with experience developing architecture standards and reference guides.
- Experience developing compliant technical requirements and reference architectures.
- Experience conducting risk management and developing mitigation strategies.
- Experience leading technical staff and providing mentoring and knowledge transfer.
- Experience implementing architectural improvements due to an incident and audit finding.
- Familiarity with automation and infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, ARM/Bicep) for security architecture enforcement.
- Ability to research and conduct analysis of technical solutions and provide recommendations that support the Authority’s technical direction.
- Ability to meet business needs through innovative solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to adapt to changes in direction or organizational change.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced achievement- oriented environment.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information in a manner easily understood by non-technical stakeholders.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources
(916) 669-6606
recruitment@hsr.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 Office
(916) 324-1541
eeo@hsr.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.
Application Information
If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-500474 and Security Architect, 311-420-1415-001 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position. Please indicate on the STD 678 your basis of eligibility in the "Explanations" field (i.e. SROA, surplus, reemployment, reinstatement, transfer, or list eligible.)
Surplus/SROA candidates must provide a copy of their surplus/SROA letter with their application. Consideration may be given to applicants on another Department's employment list, provided the criteria are met to transfer the eligibility from the employment list to the Authority's employment list. Training and Development assignments are not being considered at this time.
Location
The High-Speed Rail Authority headquarters building is located in downtown Sacramento on the corner of 8th and L Street. We are located one block away from the 8th and Capitol light rail stop, as well as the 7th and Capitol light rail stop. The building is also within walking distance of DOCO, the California State Capitol Park, a farmer’s market during summer months, and Old Sacramento.
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.