Service Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Telework is available.
Under direction of the Information Technology Manager II (IT Mgr. II). The Information Technology Specialist I (IT Spec I) will serve as a Junior Service Designer in the Critical Services Team. The IT Spec I will help assess and improve the health of vital government services by centering user needs, equity, and service outcomes in addition to technical performance. The duties require the IT Spec I to collaborate with IT and policy teams to understand full-service journeys from resident touchpoints to backend systems; strong verbal and written communication skills to work with technical and non-technical teams, map user journeys, identify pain points, and co-create solutions that improve access, speed, and trust; support resident interviews, usability testing, and synthesis of qualitative insights; document service blueprints, workflows, and ecosystem maps to uncover interdependencies and handoff issues; and assist in embedding human centered design into system & services assessments and modernization roadmaps.
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. Pursuant to Executive Order, effective July 1, 2025, employees in this position will be required to report to the work site a minimum of two (2) days per week, increasing to four (4) days per week effective July 1, 2026. The specific on-site days will be determined by the department based on operational requirements.
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must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.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)
• Works in a professional office and/or telework environment using standard office equipment, including a computer, telephone, laptop, and videoconferencing technology.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Must be able to analyze, synthesize, and present complex information, facilitate meetings and workshops, and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• May be required to travel to meetings, workshops, customer departments, or other State locations to support discovery, assessment, and modernization activities.
• May be assigned to work at CDT headquarters or other approved State work locations, consistent with departmental policies and operational needs.
• Must be able to perform prolonged periods of computer work, including sitting, standing, and viewing a computer monitor.
• Must maintain regular and consistent attendance to perform the essential functions of the position.
• May be required to work outside of normal business hours on occasion to meet operational or project needs.

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-523898
Position #(s):
695-533-1402-245
Working Title:
Service Designer
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:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Work Shift:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Variable)
Work Week:
Monday - Friday
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 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: CalHR Website - The CALHR site . The salary range(s) in the offer letter do not include the temporary salary reduction.
Department Website: http://cdt.ca.gov
Special Requirements STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) REQUIRED
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. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience.
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 four (4) pages in length, formatted in 12pt Arial font, and should have a one-inch margin.
For each question, we've included optional prompts to help you reflect on your experience. These are not intended as a checklist; you do not need to answer every prompt. Rather, they are provided to guide and inspire a thoughtful, well-rounded response.
1. Describe a time when you helped improve a service, product, or experience based on the needs of the people who use it.
Include your official role, project scope and duration. In your response, address:

• The tools or methodologies you used to understand user needs (e.g., research, data analyis, journey mapping)
• How you translated those insights into actionable changes
• The specific improvements you contributed to or led
• The impact of those changes on user experience, service delivery, or outcomes
• What you learned from the experience and how it informs your current work

Your response should highlight your individual contributions and decision-making, especially how you centered user needs in shaping the outcome.
2. Public services often involve many teams, rules, and legacy processes. Tell us about a time when you had to work within a complex or bureaucratic system to make progress on a project or initiative.
State your role, context, and duration of the effort. In your response, cover:

• Key challenges you encountered navigating bureaucracy or cross-functional coordination
• How you developed an understanding of the environment and key players
• Specific strategies or actions you took to move the work forward
• The outcome of your efforts
• What you might do differently in the future and why

Your response must highlight your own strategic thinking, navigation of complexity, and results.
3. Why are you interested in joining the Critical Services team at the California Department of Technology?
In your response, consider the following:

• What draws you to this kind of work or mission
• What impact you hope to have in this role
• What you hope to learn or grow into
• How this position aligns with your values or goals

This question is designed to understand your motivation and alignment with our team's mission. We are looking for authentic, well-considered responses.
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: 7/21/2026
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. 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 Technology
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources - NR: 25-245/JC-523898
Selection Services Unit
P.O. Box 1810
Rancho Cordova , CA 95741
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Technology
Drop Off 2nd Floor Security
Human Resources
10860 Gold Center Drive
Rancho Cordova , CA 95670
Drop off at 2nd floor security - Attn: NR - 25-245/JC-523898
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 - Required. Please see "Special Requirements" section for further information.

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:

• Familiarity with service design, human-centered design, or systems thinking.
• Comfortable with tools like journey maps, stakeholder maps, and basic prototyping.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams.
• Strong understanding of software development life cycle models of both Agile and traditional project management principles and practices and the ability to blend them together in the right proportions to fit a project and business environment
• Strong knowledge and understanding of business needs with the ability to establish/maintain high level of customer trust and confidence
• Experience in creating wireframes, storyboards, user flows, process flows and site maps
• Ability to work well under pressure, adapt to unexpected events, prioritize and multi-task in a deadline driven environment.
• Curiosity about how government works and empathy for the people it serves.
• Desire to build equitable, trauma-informed, and accessible public services.
• Experience in UX, public policy, sociology or community engagement is a plus.
• Working experience with relational database management systems, object-oriented programming, dynamic web site development, web frameworks, software stacks, usability testing, and user-centered design.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Departmen