Information Technology Specialist I

Job Description and Duties

The office of the Secretary of State (SOS) comprises nearly 750 dedicated public servants who uphold the rights of Californians while also making our government, history, and businesses both accessible and transparent. Led by an elected leader accountable to the public, the staff at SOS work to ensure our office reflects the people we serve daily. The Office of the Secretary of State is recruiting a permanent, full-time Information Technology Specialist I within the Office of Voting Systems Technology Assessment (OVSTA).

Under the general direction of the Information Technology Supervisor II, of the Office of Voting System Technology (OVSTA), the Information Technology Specialist I is responsible for voting technology auditing, testing, and certification, which includes voting systems, electronic poll books, remote accessible vote by mail systems, and other emerging election technologies. The incumbent is responsible to ensure the technology is secure and promotes the integrity of statewide voting technology.

Duties will include the following:

• Track, monitor, and audit voting technologies statewide, researching incidents and emerging issues to identify performance concerns and security vulnerabilities.
• Review voting technology certification applications and technical data packages; develop customized testing protocols and oversee functional, regression, and volume reliability testing of voting technology systems.
• Serve as the agency’s voting technology subject matter expert, advising senior staff, county stakeholders, and other governmental agencies on system usage, security, and auditing procedures.
• Schedule and manage testing events, oversee consultant contracts, coordinate logistics, and provide regular reporting and documentation throughout the certification lifecycle.
• Analyze state and federal legislation related to voting technology; evaluate policy impact, fiscal implications, and legal consistency; and draft position papers and recommendations for leadership.
• Plan and coordinate stakeholder demonstrations and public hearings for voting technology systems; present staff reports and represent the Secretary of State at local, state, and national meetings.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience proposing legislative, regulatory, or procedural changes within a government, compliance, or technology certification environment.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate complex technical data, including compliance reports, testing documentation, or regulatory guidelines.
• Knowledge of security, programming, and operational aspects of technical systems, with experience providing guidance or expertise to government agencies, local jurisdictions, or regulated entities.
• Familiarity with federal and state regulatory frameworks, with experience reviewing applications or submissions for compliance with applicable laws, rules, and requirements.
• Experience building and leading cross-functional stakeholder teams, facilitating meetings, and delivering progress reports to leadership or oversight bodies.
• Experience maintaining working knowledge of current laws, rules, and policies within a regulated environment, and applying them accurately in a compliance or advisory capacity.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to engage effectively with staff at all levels, technical experts, and members of the public.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training and experience is preferred.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position provides telework opportunities based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs. The incumbent will be required to respond or work off business hours as determined by the operational needs of the Secretary of State. This position will require occasional travel and the ability to work off-hours and adjust work schedule to work early mornings, late evenings, and weekends when necessary. Must be able to lift and move equipment.

This job advertisement indicates whether this position is eligible for telework. All employees who telework are required to be California residents, in accordance with Government Code 14200, and may be required to report to the Secretary of State’s Headquarters (Sacramento), when needed, and on short notice. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Special Requirements

Supplemental Questionnaire : The applicant must submit a Supplemental Questionnaire responding to the questions listed below, it should be no more than three (3) pages typed, using business professional font, font size and formatting. Responses do not need to include the question but must be numbered in the same order. Applications submitted without the Supplemental Questionnaire will not be considered.

1. Describe your experience reviewing and analyzing technical documentation to understand a systems design, interfaces, and functional performance.
2. Describe your experience developing IT systems test plans and protocols.
3. Describe your experience with the development, interpretation, and implementation of state and federal laws and regulations.
4. Describe your project management experience.
5. Describe your experience presenting technical subject matter to audiences both internal and public.

This position requires a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Your Supplemental Questionnaire responses should reflect your ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Examination Information: Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link:

There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the .

Education: When using education to meet minimum qualifications, education must include the specified information technology or closely related course work. Please include all the required documents necessary to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications for this classification (i.e., degree, transcript, license, and certificate). If your degree is not in one of the specified degrees as stated in the Class Specifications, please provide a copy of your most recent unofficial transcripts to be evaluated for comparability. If you fail to provide the required documentation, your application package will be marked as incomplete and will not be considered for an interview. Candidate may be required to provide transcripts prior to hire.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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.
• Supplemental Application - Please follow directions to respond to the Supplemental Questionairre above.