Job Description and Duties Telework is available. Under the general direction of the Information Technology Manager I (IT Mgr I) of the Network Engineering Operations services, the Information Technology Specialist II (IT Spec II) works independently, or as a part of a team as the recognized technical specialist for the Enterprise Network Branch. The IT Spec II is a Subject Matter Expert (SME), works at the expert level to maintain the operational health of the California Department of Technology's (CDTs) Statewide managed networks and is responsible for providing expert level support, recovery, incident response, installation, and maintenance of complex critical network services and equipment. This includes but is not limited to providing support to functional areas such as Internet Protocol (IPv4, IPv6), optical (fiber), virtualization/cloud solutions, functional areas of Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), etc. The IT Spec II provides expert-level technical support to a variety of complex 2nd and 3rd level network support services, which include, but not limited to troubleshooting and resolving incidents, network equipment installations, cabling, and assigned projects, etc... The IT Spec II will provide project management and mentorship, which will include training, coordinating, leading projects and creating documentation for CDT and customers. Telework This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule within California based on departmental policy and operational needs. The telework policy is subject to change depending on business needs, and/or reporting to the work site may be required with minimal notification given. Visa Sponsorship Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Working Conditions
CA Residency:
Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon a job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
- Must pass a fingerprint background criminal record check completed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This position requires an additional background check for DOJ to protect their interests.
- Periodic overtime, weekends, holidays or on-call status may occasionally be required to meet business needs.
- The position will require some work to be completed after normal core business hours.
- Travel between CDT datacenters, vendor hosted campuses, State of California customers and other state municipality locations may be required.
- Monitor all Department issued communication devices.
- Ability to move up to 50 lbs.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement Department Information The California Department of Technology (CDT) is the guardian of public data, a leader in information technology (IT) services and solutions and has broad responsibility and authority over all aspects of technology in California state government, including policy formation, interagency coordination, IT project oversight, information security, technology service delivery, and advocacy. As an industry leader, we are committed to partnering with state and local government and educational entities to deliver digital services, develop innovative and responsive solutions for business needs, and provide quality assurance for state government IT projects and services. Our success and legacy of service is reliant upon our highly talented, dedicated, and diverse workforce, for it is our individual cultural diversity, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and unique identities that spark our collaborative strength and innovative approach to serving the State of California. Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three percent in exchange for five hours per month of the Personal Leave. Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit.The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Department Website:
http://cdt.ca.gov Special Requirements • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired. Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed state application (STD. 678) – For exam use only. Please do NOT include your Social Security Number on any of the submitted documents. All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You must provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Each individual response must be numbered and include the full text of the numbered items prior to your response. The SOQ header should include the Job Control #, your name, “Statement of Qualifications” and your response. Resumes, cover letters and other material will not take the place of the required SOQ. Applications without an SOQ will not be considered. Your response to the SOQ should be no more than three (3) pages in length, formatted in 12pt Arial font, and should have a one-inch margin. The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as a key component of the examination and hiring process and will be used to evaluate your qualifications, as well as your written communication skills. The SOQ is considered a writing sample and must clearly reflect your own knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience. While tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g., ChatGPT), internet resources, or third-party reviewers may assist with research or preparation, by submitting your application you certify that your SOQ is your original work, written in your own words, and accurately represents your background and qualifications. Failure to submit an SOQ that is your own work, including the use of AI-generated or substantially AI-assisted responses that misrepresent your abilities, may result in disqualification from the examination or hiring process. If such misrepresentation is discovered after appointment, it may constitute dishonesty and could result in adverse action, up to and including dismissal from State service.
- Please describe what makes you qualified as a subject matter expert/lead in Enterprise Networking to include: background, experience, education/training in the design, planning, implementation, and maintenance, of network hardware and software.
- Describe a challenging network project, in which you managed, including challenges you faced, the goal of the project, and the processes you developed to make it successful.
- Please describe in detail one of the more challenging technical network issues you have encountered in your career, and the steps you took for its resolution. 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:
- In-depth knowledge and background in network principles and concepts.
- Knowledge of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Service delivery and Service Lifecycle concepts and best practices.
- In depth knowledge of routers, switches, load balancers, content switches, and firewalls.
- Experience with design and installation of copper and fiber optic cabling to internal and external customer specifications.
- Experience with maintaining closet wiring and patch upgrades.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service and make sound professional judgment.
- Ability to collaborate with others and conflict resolution skills.
- Ambitious, highly motivated, self-starter, reliable, dependable, multi-tasking, team player.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work productively with technical and non-technical staff, vendors, management and executives independently and in team environments.
- Working knowledge and ability to configure and troubleshoot inter-network services on routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers and sniffers.
- Experience planning, implementing, operating, verifying and troubleshooting data center enterprise networks (virtual and physical).
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. Additional Application Instructions Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. Applicants who wish to submit hard copy applications shall use the most current version of the State Application (STD. 678) revised 07/2026. The position number and job control number must be identified in the job title line of the STD 678 (these numbers will auto-populate in the job title of the STD 678 if submitting an electronic application through CalCareers Account). The hard copy application MUST be signed. Applicants who fail to submit the most current version of the STD. 678 may be disqualified. Note: Applications MUST include the “From dates“and “To” dates, “Hours Per Week”, and “Duties Performed” fields for all jobs listed in the “Employment History” fields and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles). Applications that are submitted blank will be considered incomplete. Reference to a resume in place of a description of the duties will not be accepted. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview. Please note that the CalCareer system will not allow you to make changes to your application information once it is submitted. For all other questions regarding your CalHR CalCareer account, you may contact the CalCareer Unit at (866) 844-8671. The Fine Print Training and Development Assignment may be considered. Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment. If you have questions about the State Hiring Process visit our Career Opportunities webpage at https://cdt.ca.gov/career-opportunities/state-hiring-process.