Policy Design Manager for CalSAWS

Are you an experienced policy and program leader who thrives in complex, fast-moving public sector environments? Do you have the analytical expertise to interpret legislation, translate policy into system requirements, and guide large-scale operational and technology initiatives? Are you ready to help shape the future of statewide human services delivery through CalSAWS?

If so, CalSAWS invites you to apply today to join our team as the next Policy Design Manager!

Position Information

The Policy Design Manager reports to the Product Strategy & Policy Design (PSPD) Director and plays a key leadership role in the interpretation, approval, and implementation of policy into CalSAWS system changes. This position conducts complex and sensitive research assignments requiring the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data from multiple sources to support strategic decision-making and enterprise policy alignment.

The Policy Design Manager leads Policy Analysts and oversees the translation of policy into functional requirements and business processes, while supporting governance activities, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise change approval processes.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Have strong knowledge of public assistance programs and state policy as it relates to CalSAWS
• Possess exceptional analytical, research, and problem-solving skills
• Bring strong organizational, management, and leadership abilities
• Demonstrate experience leading teams through multiple project stages and policy implementation efforts
• Communicate effectively with counties, leadership teams, government agencies, vendors, and stakeholder groups
• Be comfortable navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and evolving legislative requirements
• Thrive in collaborative, governance-heavy, and operationally complex environments
• Be motivated by improving statewide human services delivery for millions of Californians

All positions may be subject to some short-term travel in order to conduct project business with the State and counties. The CalSAWS project office is currently located in Gold River, California.

Who is CalSAWS?

The California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) is the largest county-based human services system in the nation. In June 2019, all 58 California counties formed the CalSAWS Consortium as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to govern system operations and represent the collective interests of every county.

As of October 2023, CalSAWS successfully unified all counties into a single statewide system. CalSAWS is now in its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) phase, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient system functionality for millions of Californians.

This role represents a critical opportunity to improve enterprise alignment upstream of delivery, helping CalSAWS reduce downstream friction, improve coordination, and support more cohesive customer and workforce experiences statewide.

Link to full job description here.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field, and four (4) years of progressively responsible, full-time, paid experience in a centralized Information Technology organization performing information systems analysis and design, application development, network administration, or operating systems analysis; one (1) year must have been in a supervisory capacity.

       -OR

• One (1) year of experience at the level of Information Technology Supervisor, Principal Information Systems Analyst, Principal Application Developer, Principal Operating Systems Analyst, or Principal Network Systems Administrator.

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible, full-time, paid experience in a centralized Information Technology organization with at least two (2) years functioning in a supervisory capacity.

BENEFITS and SALARY INFORMATION: 

SALARY: $9,684.12 – $15,375.00 monthly depending on experience

For information on benefits through RGS employment - https://rgsjpa.org/rgs-employees-assigned-to-calsaws/

EMPLOYMENT: For candidates employed with a county in California who are not able to support a staff member on the CalSAWS project, the CalSAWS Consortium contracts with Regional Government Services (RGS) to provide staff for the consortium. The employee hried from this recruitment and selection process are expected to work for the CalSAWS Consortium through the contract with Regional Government Services (RGS), who provides staff for the consortium. 

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION PROCEDURE: 

Ready to take the next step? Email Careers@CalSAWS.org to join CalSAWS and be part of shaping the future of statewide technology and security!

Application Deadline – June 11, 2026

To apply email Careers@CalSAWS.org  and attach your resume.  

All submissions will be reviewed by CalSAWS, with interviews scheduled for the most qualified candidates.   

CalSAWS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $116,209 - $184,500