INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II

California Department of Social Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Social Services in Sacramento seeks a Web Development Lead/Architect to serve as the community-wide technical lead for enterprise web solutions. Under general direction, the ITS II will lead development, implementation, maintenance and support of multifaceted software systems.

The role emphasizes guiding coding standards, API design, modernization, and ensuring performance, scalability and ADA compliance. Telework is hybrid and the position is permanent, full-time.

Qualifications

• Position requires a lead/architect role for enterprise web applications.
• Ability to provide hands-on technical leadership and mentoring.
• Experience with API design, system interoperability, and modernization.
• ADA compliance and accessibility considerations.
• Background investigation and fingerprint clearance required.
• US work authorization required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, architecture, and technical direction for web application solutions across projects.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership to development teams, including guidance on coding standards, best practices, and modern web technologies.
• Oversee application integration strategies, API design, and system interoperability.
• Conduct technical assessments, feasibility studies, and impact analyses for new initiatives and enhancements.
• Collaborate with project managers, business analysts, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Drive modernization efforts.
• Ensure that applications meet performance, scalability, and accessibility requirements, including ADA compliance.
• Perform code reviews, troubleshoot complex issues, and provide technical mentoring to team members.
• Support risk identification, technical mitigation strategies, and implementation of secure development practices.
• Develop architectural documentation, diagrams, and standards for current and future-state systems.
• Evaluate new tools, frameworks, and technologies for potential adoption.
• Coordinate with infrastructure, security, and data teams to ensure alignment with statewide enterprise architecture.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for production issues, ensuring timely resolution and root cause analysis.
• Promote knowledge sharing, best practices, and continuous improvement across development teams.

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-529913

Position #(s): 800-774-1414-XXX

Working Title: Web Development Lead/Architect

Classification: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II

Salary: $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

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging. We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person have desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Job Description And Duties

If you have a passion to be a part of a team that works to serve, aid and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families then is this is the place for you!

Under general direction of the Web Applications Bureau Chief, IT Manager I, the IT Specialist II (ITS II) is responsible to be the technical lead and architect for development, implementation, maintenance and support of multifaceted enterprise level software solutions. The IT Specialist II meets these responsibilities by leading Information Technology (IT) projects and by performing under general supervision, acts as a team leader on the more complex systems software projects, and/or works independently as a high-level technical specialist on the more complex systems assignments. This is the expert specialist level.

This position will be required to follow the 4 day Return to Office Mandate.

This position will be expected to perform:

• Lead the design, architecture, and technical direction for web application solutions across projects.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership to development teams, including guidance on coding standards, best practices, and modern web technologies.
• Oversee application integration strategies, API design, and system interoperability.
• Conduct technical assessments, feasibility studies, and impact analyses for new initiatives and enhancements.
• Collaborate with project managers, business analysts, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Drive modernization efforts.
• Ensure that applications meet performance, scalability, and accessibility requirements, including ADA compliance.
• Perform code reviews, troubleshoot complex issues, and provide technical mentoring to team members.
• Support risk identification, technical mitigation strategies, and implementation of secure development practices.
• Develop architectural documentation, diagrams, and standards for current and future-state systems.
• Evaluate new tools, frameworks, and technologies for potential adoption.
• Coordinate with infrastructure, security, and data teams to ensure alignment with statewide enterprise architecture.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for production issues, ensuring timely resolution and root cause analysis.
• Promote knowledge sharing, best practices, and continuous improvement across development teams.

Eligibility and Background

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Background Clearance

This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.

Eligibility for Candidates

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Final Filing Date: 9/4/2026

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.

Application Process

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).

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.