What are the responsibilities and job description for the IT SPECIALIST (APPLICATIONS PROGRAMMER) 1429 (J) (REVISED 09-24-25)) position at City of Los Angeles?
ANNUAL SALARY
$73,476 to $107,469
The salary in the Department of Water and Power is $81,515 to $101,288 and $94,231 to $117,095.
NOTES:
- Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
- Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
- For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to http://per.lacity.org/Reciprocity_CityDepts_and_DWP.pdf.
Employees in this classification prepare programs by analyzing specifications developed by systems professionals; establishes computer processing requirements; develops systems and/or programming flowcharts, codes programs, and/or integrates and enhances Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) software solutions; tests, debugs, and corrects errors in programs; prepares program and systems documentation; assists in the resolution of computer systems problems; and performs basic network configuration, scripting, network, and implementation tasks; maintains configuration databases and related processing; writes SQL queries and distributes routine reporting for RDBMS; and performs other related duties.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with completion of 24 semester or 36 quarter units in either information systems, computer engineering, or computer science; or
- Successful completion of a two-year course of study in information technology (IT) from an accredited college or trade school with at least 12 semester or 18 quarter units in IT coursework and two years of full-time paid experience performing systems or programming tasks in a professional IT environment.
PROCESS NOTES
- All applicants must list their school name, location, type of degree earned, major, and completion dates in the Education section of the on-line application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application may not be considered further in this examination.
- Applicants must list in the Supplemental Questions section of the on-line application IT coursework, including courses taken in information systems, computer engineering or computer science. Applicants must list the course title, the number of units (semester or quarter), date completed, the name of the school, and the grade received. General education courses and elective units taken outside of the specified major/areas need not be listed. We recommend that applicants have their course work information at hand before going on-line to file their applications.
- Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at http://per.lacity.org/Accredited Institutions 08-21-08.pdf.
- Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree, certificate of completion, and/or transcripts. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree, certificate of completion, and/or transcripts to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.
Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.
NOTE:
Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed below:
Filing Period 1: Friday, June 5, 2026 to Thursday, June 18, 2026
The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. Filing periods may change without prior notice or additional dates may be added, as needed, at a later date. For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen on the dates noted in the “Application Deadline” section of this bulletin.
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the multiple-choice test in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified applicants. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that period’s selection process.
Examination Weight: Multiple-Choice Test: 100%
The examination will consist entirely of a weighted multiple-choice test administered and proctored on-line. In the on-line multiple-choice test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Reading Comprehension; Fact Finding; Interpersonal Skills; Mathematics; Written Communication; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: structured programming and object oriented techniques such as sequence, selection, iteration, encapsulation and data abstraction; terminology necessary to read, understand, and accurately follow program specifications; software standard products such as databases, spreadsheets, utility programs, and graphics used to create and maintain databases, graphs, and spreadsheets; how to program and maintain code in an object oriented language such as Java, C , .NET, JavaScript, PHP, or C#; database concepts and design requirements such as database structure for programming purposes, data relationships, and access techniques; phases of the entire system development life cycle; problem tracking and/or debugging software tools and techniques to assess problems and troubleshoot within an application; concepts of systems analysis and design as related to the development of operating and networking systems; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.
Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under IT Specialist.
For candidates who apply between Friday, June 5, 2026 and Thursday, June 18, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between Tuesday, August 11, 2026 and Monday, August 17, 2026.
FAQs for on-line testing are available at https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html. Only candidates who demonstrate a hardship may be offered the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility.
NOTES:
- This examination is based on a validation study and as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
- As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
- Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
- You may take the IT Specialist multiple-choice test only once every 365 days under this bulletin. If you have taken the IT Specialist multiple-choice test during an open filing period in the Personnel Department within the last 365 days, you may not file for this examination at this time.
- Your rank on the employment list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of this examination are merged onto one list.
- Your name may be removed from the eligible list after six (6) months.
- A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
- In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.
Notice:
If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.
THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN ONLY
ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS
The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html
Salary : $73,476 - $117,095