INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I

Under the direction of the Information Technology Supervisor II, the Information Technology Specialist I (IT Specialist I) will work as an expert level technical specialist in consulting and Web applications development role. The IT Specialist I demonstrates leadership competencies, works both independently and as part of a team on the most complex system and software projects related to several of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) information technology systems of varying priorities, and mission-critical Web applications projects. The IT Specialist I will be responsible for Web application development and perform the programming needs of the CDFA Systems Development Unit. The IT Specialist I is responsible for the full software development life cycle for large enterprise-level applications and systems utilized by CDFA. The IT Specialist I partners with ITSD staff to plan and implement complex network, server, middleware, and database solutions. The IT Specialist 1 works to lead and assist in troubleshooting and resolving issues involving legacy applications and systems and is responsible for documenting technical findings and communicating effective resolutions to the appropriate staff and management. As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the “essential functions” of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!! This CDFA work location is near restaurants, coffee shops, and a farmer’s market. We are within walking distance to light rail/public transportation, across the street from beautiful Capitol Park, and two miles from Downtown Commons (DOCO). The location offers convenient access to major freeways, the California State Capitol Museum, downtown shopping, the Sacramento Convention Center, and the Golden 1 Center. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions The duties of this position are primarily conducted indoors in an office environment. The incumbent will have a workstation with modular furniture, an adjustable rolling chair, a computer with various software programs, a telephone with voicemail, and stationary filing drawers and bins. The position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time and operate a personal computer utilizing a mouse and keyboard. The incumbent must be able to give presentations, participate at meetings, and interact with other staff. They must also be able to: push buttons on a keyboard, calculator, photocopy machine, facsimile machine, and telephone; grasp papers, small objects, and manuals; access upper and lower files and cabinets; and exert up to 15 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently in order to move or position objects. Travel to various CDFA facilities and sites throughout the state as needed using various means of transportation systems; overnight stays and weekend and off-shift work may be required. This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department., A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below may be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ instructions and questions are below:

• Restate questions/prompts prior to response
• Include your name and job control number at the top of each page
• Must be no more than two (2) pages, single-spaced, and Arial size 11 font
• Describe your Information Technology education and experience as a software application developer on complex and legacy systems.
• Describe your experience in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable, distributed multi-tier applications using the .NET technology stack, or similar technology stacks.
• Describe and provide an example of your knowledge, ability, and skills to troubleshoot complex IT technical issues with minimal documentation or guidance.
• Please describe your experience in working with and using software configuration control library tools, ensuring version control of developed software, and performing automated builds.

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: Knowledge and Experience of:

• C# or similar OOP languages
• ASP.NET MVC and Entity Framework
• Full stack development
• Architecture styles/APIs (REST, RPC)
• MS SQL Server (or similar) databases
• Modern application development principles, practices, and methodologies (Agile, SDLC, etc)
• Microsoft Power BI and Power Apps
• Microsoft Office productivity tools and usage
• Systems development software tools and assistive software
• Azure Dev Ops features
• Security Scanning tools experience (SAST and DAST)

• Coding practices to alleviate application security vulnerabilities. Ability to:

• Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing;
• Communicate effectively with business and technical personnel with various levels of IT knowledge.
• Produce technical documentation for business and technical personnel with various levels of IT knowledge to help understand products and services.
• Provide technical guidance to others.
• Work collaboratively with multiple teams within IT.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
• Problem solve using both critical and creative thinking.
• Apply technical knowledge effectively and methodically.
• Apply industry-standard methodologies to perform analysis.
• Be proactive, positive, and open-minded to direction and new ideas, be flexible with shifting priorities and situations.
• Work well under pressure, work independently in completing assigned work, and meet required deadlines., Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate. Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University. This position may require a medical clearance.

The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability. The Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) is responsible for the oversight and management of all information technology and telecommunications activities including, but not limited to, information technology, information security, and telecommunications personnel, contractors, systems, assets, projects, purchases, and contracts. ITSD is tasked with ensuring compliance with state information technology policy and conformance to state information technology and telecommunications policy and enterprise architecture. The range of services that ITSD provides encompasses the areas of Technology Governance, Application Development Services, Customer Support and Services, Information Security, Infrastructure Operations, Enterprise Architecture, and Procurement. ITSD provides IT services to over 2,000 employees in eight major program areas as well as executive and administrative staff distributed over 100 locations throughout the state including district and field offices in 32 counties, two extraterritorial offices in Hawaii and Arizona, and 16 agricultural stations at the state’s borders. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov