Innovation Lead (Telework Eligible)

Job Description and Duties This advertisement is posted as until filled. Applications will be reviewed on the 8th of each month, and candidates may or may not be selected for interviews. However, the Job Control will remain open until the vacancy is filled.
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!
The California Department of Social Services' (CDSS) Information Systems Division (ISD) has an amazing opportunity for an Information Technology Specialist II (ITS II) to join our Innovative Technology Solutions Branch (ITSB) as innovation lead and make a difference in many Californians' lives while leveraging modern technologies and approaches. Under the general direction of ISD Manager, the ITS II acts independently in a technical lead role, focused on leading innovation and standardization and assisting ITSB with the most complex information technology projects.
The following are the essential duties and responsibilities of the ITS II position:
• Conduct research and analysis to identify emerging technologies and trends relevant to the industry.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of potential innovation projects. Develop and maintain a robust innovation pipeline, including concept development, feasibility assessment, and business case creation.
• Work closely with architects, technical team and analysts to drive innovation initiatives. Foster a collaborative environment that fosters idea generation and knowledge sharing across teams.
• Oversee the design, development, and testing of prototypes or proof-of-concept solutions.
• Conduct iterative testing and validation to refine concepts and ensure alignment with stakeholder requirements.
• Drive organizational change by promoting a culture of innovation, agility, and experimentation.
• Provide training and support to help teams adapt to new technologies and processes.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of innovation initiatives.
• Prepare regular progress reports and presentations for executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Serve as a technical development and innovation subject matter expert. Create project architecture, related tools, methods, standards, and procedures, develop processing standards and procedures for the most complex systems and projects.
• Serve as a lead for system development and architecture. Provide technical expertise and perform the most complex analysis, studies, test, and activities associated with application architecture, database design, and application development.
• Review technical design specifications provided by systems integrator and review work of other ISD consultants or staff as necessary.
• Serve as a mentor and provide consultation and staff development support on processes and procedures related to IT policies, standards, and methodologies. Monitor, prioritize and lead both state staff and contractor workload of various applications.
• Serve as technical point of contact for business, functional and technical project requirements and solution analysis. Assist the project team to ensure that project goals are achieved according to project plans and in accordance with oversight guidelines. Benefits: The state offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, long-term care and disability insurance, as well as paid leave. Please see the Benefits section below for more details. Telework / Remote Work Information: This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the Department of Social Services policies. Headquarter location will be designated based on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location.
Need help understanding the examination and hiring process? Do you have a question about CDSS? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at . Please include the job classification and job control number in the subject line. You will find additional information about the job in the .
Working Conditions This work location is very convenient! The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance to the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmer's markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80.
Special Requirements Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.
This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.
You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.
If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide office transcripts at the time of hire.
Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.
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 an appointment.
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:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of web application development using Microsoft technology stack (Visual Studio, .NET framework, .NET core, SQL Server, Azure, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SSRS reporting, Azure DevOps, Internet Information Services)
• Experience developing tactical plans to implement strategic goals.
• Strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills
• Experience working with business or program units to identify use cases relevant to innovation opportunities.
• Experience leading or participating in an Information Technology focused innovation capability.
• Experience identifying, evaluating (including cost estimation), and piloting emerging technologies and assisting in their integration and adoption.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure AI, Cognitive Services, or other Azure-based Artificial Intelligence services.
• Experience in solution design and architecture.
• Experience with Agile development practices, including leading teams on enterprise level projects.
• Experience producing technical documentation, such as diagrams, technical requirements documents, systems architecture and interfaces, data model diagrams, configuration management documents, etc.
• Strong analytical and time management skills.
• Ability to think critically and approach problems with creativity, while using a variety of analytical techniques to resolve said problems.
• Ability to work independently with multiple priorities and under pressure of critical time demands.
Benefits There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.
TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT
Public transit (mass transit) passes. 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS. Vanpool drivers and riders 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS. Examination Information Those interested in obtaining employment with the California Department of Social Services must apply and compete through the State recruitment process.  Applicants who successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list used to recruit for positions.
To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the examination announcement:
If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination, except when your list eligibility expires. For questions regarding the examination process and/or career opportunities with the California Department of Social Services, please contact the Examination Unit at .
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 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 - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.