Custom Application Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Under direction of the IT Supervisor II in the Enterprise Operational Support (OPS) Unit, the incumbent will function at the full journey-level within the Software Engineering domain, and is responsible for the development of system-software-solutions, Information Technology (IT) Software Engineering methods of design/build, testing, as well as providing analysis, administration and support for custom designed systems, Commercial Off The Shelf/Modified Off the Shelf and system reporting services. The incumbent will provide technical expertise and guidance through all phases of the system development life cycles (SDLC) to ensure efficient and effective delivery of IT products, services and or systems.
Responsibilities include analysis, designing, developing, maintaining, fixing defects, enhancing application systems and operational support; developing interfaces between different computer systems; developing reports and other outputs and participate in the development and documentation of new system design specifications and new process procedures while adhering to departmental standards; managing system-software projects, project planning, project status reports, technical oversight, procurement management, quality and scope management. The incumbent must have programming skills in Java, C#, .NET, python, Oracle SQL, API's, and related programming languages and tools.
Domain:
Software Engineering
PARF# 20-27-0030 / JC- 530329
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Information Technology Specialist I exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Position located at 1500 5th Street, Sacramento, Sacramento County.
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans's evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee's designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
If not working remotely, the employee will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial lighting using a personal computer. The employee may be required to work for extended periods of time in a computer room that maintains an approximate temperature of 70 degrees.
The employee may be required to travel. When available, a State vehicle will be provided. Possession of a valid driver's license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle. If the employee utilizes their own personal vehicle, they may be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Some weekend or after-hours work may be required. The employee must carry a cell phone and respond to calls after hours.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-530329
Position #(s):
900-170-1402-186
Working Title:
Application Developer
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I $6,513.00 - $8,729.00 A
$7,163.00 - $9,599.00 B
$7,864.00 - $10,537.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director's EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director's EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.
• Resume is required.

• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) required.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

Please describe your work experience as an application developer. When describing your experience include the type of application(s), including size and complexity, programming languages and frameworks (JAVA, C#, .NET, SQL, GIT, Python), Gen AI capabilities, and development tools used.

Please describe your knowledge, skills, and abilities in troubleshooting and resolving complex code, application-data integration, and performance issues. Include an example of a technical issue you experienced and the steps and processes you used to resolve the issue.

Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams, including business stakeholders, management, developers, and vendors.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/8/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Transportation
N/A
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
Certification Services MS-90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento , CA 95816-8036
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Transportation
Drop-Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento , CA 95816
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
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:

• Knowledge of Generative AI concepts and large language models (LLMs).
• Experience or knowledge using pre-trained GenAI models through APIs or SDKs.
• Strong understanding of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures and vector databases.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering fundamentals and prompt refinement.
• Knowledge of responsible AI practices, including bias mitigation, data privacy, and compliance in GenAI.
• Experience integrating GenAI features into cloud-based applications.
• Willingness and ability to learn and adapt to evolving GenAI tools and frameworks.
• Experience handling multiple high level projects simultaneously.
• Ability to effectively and rapidly evaluate various technologies and its components and see the potential for their integration.

Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Dina Coloma
(279) 234-2328
dina.coloma@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
IT Admin HR
(916) 591-2243
IT.Admin.HR@DOT.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
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.
Important Application Instructions:
The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-530329), PARF# 20-27-0030 and title of the position (Information Technology Specialist I) must be included on the STD. 678 form.
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be exclud