MEDS Senior Tester

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Defined retirement program

Job summary

California Department of Health Care Services seeks a MEDS Senior Tester to lead testing across SDLC/STLC and Agile phases, acting as SME for the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS) and related subsystems. You will oversee testing activities, define scope and timelines, and collaborate with state, county, federal, and vendor partners on QA testing initiatives.

The role includes mentoring staff, coordinating with multiple teams, and ensuring consistent testing practices throughout project

Qualifications

• Lead testing and QA activities across SDLC and STLC to ensure quality system updates.
• Coordinate formal and informal testing efforts with cross‑functional teams and vendors.
• Mentor staff to support skill development and consistent testing practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead functional, integration and interface testing across SDLC/STLC and Agile phases.
• Define scope, timelines and deliverables for MEDS and related subsystems.
• Serve as SME and liaison between technical teams and program stakeholders.

Skills

Test planning

SDLC/STLC

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder liaison

Mentoring

Job description

Work Location

Sacramento County

Job Description And Duties

About this Role: Under the general direction of the Information Technology (IT) Manager I within the Eligibility Applications and Support Branch (EASB), the IT Specialist (S) II serves as the lead Technical Tester and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS) and related subsystems. The incumbent oversees functional, integration and interface testing and project activities across all Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) and Agile phases, defining scope, timelines, and deliverables to ensure successful system updates. The role provides lead testing and contract oversight from initiation through implementation and acts as a liaison between technical teams and program stakeholders, including County, State, Federal, and vendor partners on All Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) activities. The incumbent also mentors staff to support skill development and consistent testing practices.

Working Conditions

Please see the Telework and Salary Information section below for telework, reporting location, and temporary statewide salary reduction details.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-536002

Position #(s): 802-351-1414-XXX

Working Title: MEDS Senior Tester

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: Multiple

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

DHCS’ purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all. DHCS is a dynamic organization with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. DHCS is committed to addressing disparities within our organization and in our communities through efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is accomplished, in part, by a commitment toward employing a diverse workforce that reflects the many communities we serve, and by promoting and enforcing equal employment opportunity. Take a look at some of DHCS' recent projects and happenings that our Department has accomplished in the DHCS Newsroom.

Statement Of Qualifications Requirement Section

• Please identify at least three software applications you have tested: Define the role(s) you played in testing each application, whether you worked with a team of testers or alone, and the length of time you spent testing the new programming or enhancement.
• Describe in detail the formal structured testing (using a test plan, user stories, scripts, scenarios or cases) or informal testing you performed for any one of the applications named above.
• Describe methods you used to lead and collaborate with testing teams, programmers, analysts, stakeholders and reporting STLC milestones, defects, issues and risks to these groups

Candidates who do not complete and submit an SOQ may not be considered for this position.

Benefits

Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Continuous and ongoing training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Defined retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the State of California, please explore the Health Benefits Summary provided by CalHR. DHCS 2023-2027 Strategic Plan provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Natalie Clark
[phone]
[e-mail]

Telework and Salary Information

Telework: This position is currently hybrid. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change consistent with DHCS’ Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 - 14203. Telework is available to California residents, and proof of residency may be required. Beginning July 27, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order N-22-25 issued March 3, 2025, and California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Statewide Guidance issued March 13, 2025, DHCS team members of the Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) Division will generally be required to report in-person a minimum of four days per week unless exempted/excepted. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement is based on an employee's designated office and residence, subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. The reporting location for this advertisement will be located at: 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Salary: Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.

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.

EEO Contact

[phone]
[e-mail]
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.