What are the responsibilities and job description for the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II position at California Department of Developmental Services?
Job Description And Duties
Under the general direction of the Chief Technology Innovation Officer, the Information Technology Specialist II (ITS II) serves as the department’s senior software engineer and data expert responsible for architecting, securing, and developing API-driven database solutions and data pipelines that power both public-facing and internal digital services. The ITS II will assess vendor products and interact with contractors as required.
The ITS II brings deep expertise in both database engineering and full-stack software development, including scripting, cloud computing (AWS), and API integration, with specialized knowledge in Medicare, Eligibility Verification, and Insurance Claims . The role exercises expert-level judgment in Data Integration with Disparate Systems, Federated Data Architecture and Modeling, and Cloud Architecture. The ITS II collaborates across IT Project Management, Information Security Engineering, and Business Units to deliver resilient, accessible, ethical, and data-enabled services that comply with the State of California’s standards, policies, and regulations.
Working under the Chief Technology Innovation Officer and the Chief Architect, the AI Engineer provides technical leadership and may lead small teams and contractors with no direct supervisory authority unless delegated per the organizational structure.
The ITS II must possess strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and verbal/written communication skills; work collaboratively, mentor, and provide technical direction to development and data science teams; and complete work assignments effectively, accurately, and on time. The ITS II should stay current with industry trends, standards, and best practices related to database architecture, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, and cloud-based platforms. The ITS II must understand project management practices, the system development life cycle, data governance, and testing methodologies for data-driven and AI/ML solutions.
Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three percent in exchange for five hours per month of the Personal Leave.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time. Incumbent must live and work in California. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.
Open-spaced partitioned offices; Prolonged periods on a computer up to 95% of the time; May require 24x7 support responsibility as well as weekend support for emergency work; Occasional travel up to 10% for overnight or day trips for Covered California locations.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-499084
Position #(s):
472-502-1414-908
Working Title:
Senior Software Engineer (Full-Stack)
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II
$8,625.00 - $11,557.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The California Department of Developmental Services (Department) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.
These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Department Is Located In a Modern, Sustainable And Innovative Office Building At 1215 “O” Street, Sacramento, California. Some Amenities Of The Building Include:
Special Requirements
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than three pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the question below or submit an SOQ may not be considered.
The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.
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: 12/5/2025
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates 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
Complete Application Packages (including Your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) And Applicable Or Required Documents) Must Be Submitted To Apply For This Job Posting. Application Packages May Be Submitted Electronically Through Your CalCareer Account At Www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When Submitting Your Application In Hard Copy, a Completed Copy Of The Application Package Listing Must Be Included. If You Choose To Not Apply Electronically, a Hard Copy Application Package May Be Submitted Through An Alternative Method Listed Below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Attn: Kristin Romo
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Kristin Romo
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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:
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Knowledge Of:
Data engineering experience (7 years) in Health Insurance, Medicare claims, and healthcare data engineering, with a strong record of delivering complex, secure, and scalable solutions. Enterprise Application Integration experience with a distinguished track record on technically demanding projects, including emerging technologies; developing modern front-end frameworks (React/Next.js, Angular, or Vue), TypeScript, responsive design, and component libraries; server-side expertise in Node.js/NestJS, and Python/FastAPI; API design (REST/GraphQL) with OpenAPI/Swagger; database fluency - SQL/PostgreSQL (schema design, tuning) and NoSQL (Cosmos/Mongo); caching (Redis); working with multi-agent architecture that interacts with APIs, tools, and workflows; advanced level Python programming, including development of automation scripts, APIs, and data processing workflows; AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, API Gateway, CloudFormation).
Ability To:
Conduct training, mentor staff, and improve organizational data infrastructure.
A bachelor’s degree in software development, information technology, computer science, or related fields is desired.
Benefits
As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
Benefit Eligibility May Be Based On Job Classification, Bargaining Unit, Time Base And Length Of Appointment. Additional Benefits May Also Be Outlined For Specific Bargaining Units In Employee Collective Bargaining Contracts. For More Information, Please Visit The Links Below:
State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website
CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2025
CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026
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: http://www.dds.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Kristin Romo
(916) 322-7660
kristin.romo@dds.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:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
(916) 654-1888
OHRAS@dds.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.
Additional Information
Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate may be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the California Department of Human Resources.
All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further information on the definition of the above may be found on the California Department of Human Resources' website at: www.calhr.ca.gov .
If you have not taken the Information Technology Specialist II exam/assessment you may find the exam for this classification at the link below. You must take and pass the exam/assessment to obtain eligibility for hire. Click here to gain list eligibility.
Remove Any Confidential Information
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts.
Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
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.
Under the general direction of the Chief Technology Innovation Officer, the Information Technology Specialist II (ITS II) serves as the department’s senior software engineer and data expert responsible for architecting, securing, and developing API-driven database solutions and data pipelines that power both public-facing and internal digital services. The ITS II will assess vendor products and interact with contractors as required.
The ITS II brings deep expertise in both database engineering and full-stack software development, including scripting, cloud computing (AWS), and API integration, with specialized knowledge in Medicare, Eligibility Verification, and Insurance Claims . The role exercises expert-level judgment in Data Integration with Disparate Systems, Federated Data Architecture and Modeling, and Cloud Architecture. The ITS II collaborates across IT Project Management, Information Security Engineering, and Business Units to deliver resilient, accessible, ethical, and data-enabled services that comply with the State of California’s standards, policies, and regulations.
Working under the Chief Technology Innovation Officer and the Chief Architect, the AI Engineer provides technical leadership and may lead small teams and contractors with no direct supervisory authority unless delegated per the organizational structure.
The ITS II must possess strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and verbal/written communication skills; work collaboratively, mentor, and provide technical direction to development and data science teams; and complete work assignments effectively, accurately, and on time. The ITS II should stay current with industry trends, standards, and best practices related to database architecture, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, and cloud-based platforms. The ITS II must understand project management practices, the system development life cycle, data governance, and testing methodologies for data-driven and AI/ML solutions.
Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three percent in exchange for five hours per month of the Personal Leave.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time. Incumbent must live and work in California. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.
Open-spaced partitioned offices; Prolonged periods on a computer up to 95% of the time; May require 24x7 support responsibility as well as weekend support for emergency work; Occasional travel up to 10% for overnight or day trips for Covered California locations.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-499084
Position #(s):
472-502-1414-908
Working Title:
Senior Software Engineer (Full-Stack)
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II
$8,625.00 - $11,557.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The California Department of Developmental Services (Department) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.
These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Department Is Located In a Modern, Sustainable And Innovative Office Building At 1215 “O” Street, Sacramento, California. Some Amenities Of The Building Include:
- First floor retail space (separate access from 12 th Street)
- Café with multiple vendors
- Outdoor seating for meal breaks
- Employee fitness center which includes a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights
- Plaza area with kitchenette on each floor
- Lactation rooms
Special Requirements
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than three pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the question below or submit an SOQ may not be considered.
- Application Development
- Medicare and Insurance Claims Desrcibe your experience with MIDAS, CMS, MediCal Insurance claims, Eligiblity verifiction, etc. Explain your knowledge about the data structures and how you have implemented such solutions.
- Problem-Solving & Support Describe a situation where you provided technical support to executives or multiples departments. What was the issue, what did you do, and what was the result?
The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.
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: 12/5/2025
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates 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
Complete Application Packages (including Your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) And Applicable Or Required Documents) Must Be Submitted To Apply For This Job Posting. Application Packages May Be Submitted Electronically Through Your CalCareer Account At Www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When Submitting Your Application In Hard Copy, a Completed Copy Of The Application Package Listing Must Be Included. If You Choose To Not Apply Electronically, a Hard Copy Application Package May Be Submitted Through An Alternative Method Listed Below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Attn: Kristin Romo
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Kristin Romo
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as a documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS” ABOVE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Knowledge Of:
Data engineering experience (7 years) in Health Insurance, Medicare claims, and healthcare data engineering, with a strong record of delivering complex, secure, and scalable solutions. Enterprise Application Integration experience with a distinguished track record on technically demanding projects, including emerging technologies; developing modern front-end frameworks (React/Next.js, Angular, or Vue), TypeScript, responsive design, and component libraries; server-side expertise in Node.js/NestJS, and Python/FastAPI; API design (REST/GraphQL) with OpenAPI/Swagger; database fluency - SQL/PostgreSQL (schema design, tuning) and NoSQL (Cosmos/Mongo); caching (Redis); working with multi-agent architecture that interacts with APIs, tools, and workflows; advanced level Python programming, including development of automation scripts, APIs, and data processing workflows; AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, API Gateway, CloudFormation).
Ability To:
Conduct training, mentor staff, and improve organizational data infrastructure.
A bachelor’s degree in software development, information technology, computer science, or related fields is desired.
Benefits
As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
Benefit Eligibility May Be Based On Job Classification, Bargaining Unit, Time Base And Length Of Appointment. Additional Benefits May Also Be Outlined For Specific Bargaining Units In Employee Collective Bargaining Contracts. For More Information, Please Visit The Links Below:
State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website
CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2025
CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026
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: http://www.dds.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Kristin Romo
(916) 322-7660
kristin.romo@dds.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:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
(916) 654-1888
OHRAS@dds.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.
Additional Information
Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate may be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the California Department of Human Resources.
All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further information on the definition of the above may be found on the California Department of Human Resources' website at: www.calhr.ca.gov .
If you have not taken the Information Technology Specialist II exam/assessment you may find the exam for this classification at the link below. You must take and pass the exam/assessment to obtain eligibility for hire. Click here to gain list eligibility.
Remove Any Confidential Information
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts.
Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
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.
Salary : $8,625 - $11,557
