Feb 27, 2026
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II
- State of California Office of the Controller
- Hybrid
- $8,625 - $11,557 monthly
Job Description
Under general direction provided by the Functional Interface, Reporting and Testing Manager (IT Manager I), the Business Lead (IT Specialist II) is responsible for performing a variety of complex analytical and IT support activities for the California State Payroll System (CSPS) Project, an Information Technology (IT) project to replace the current personnel and payroll systems. CSPS will deliver a modern solution for Human Capital Management (HCM) including core HR functionality (position control, personnel administration, benefits administration, and time management), Travel and Expense Management and Payroll with employee self-service and streamlined business processes using innovative technology solutions. The incumbent will perform a wide variety of analytical activities in the areas of business process analysis, system design analysis, problem resolution, and legislative analysis and consultation. The IT Specialist II will combine complex analysis for business needs with project management tasks, which include personnel and payroll systems design planning and implementation activities for a highly complex IT project.
The IT Specialist II has overall responsibility for the design, development, configuration, testing and implementation for the core HR/payroll functionality assigned and will oversee the work of business analyst resources that are acquired through vendor partnerships to ensure project standards and business needs are met.
The incumbent must demonstrate the highest level of expertise in business systems analysis techniques and System Development Lifecycle (SDLC) practices, the Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC), CA-Project Management Framework (PMF), Change Control principles and practices, and an understanding of customer service concepts, and requirements development methodologies.
Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)
- Guide the development and elaboration of project plans and artifacts. Exercise independence and provide leadership in the design, development, configuration, and implementation of the future HCM/Payroll solution.
- Work with the technical team, end-users and project team members to analyze and document data and workflow processes. Analyze inbound and outbound interface specifications for external systems to determine feasibility and interface methodology. Provide expert advice on system functionality to contractors and make decisions on issues that arise. Act as lead with contractor staff to perform design, system configuration, development, and implementation activities to complete the necessary project documentation utilizing industry standards and methodologies; and maintain project documentation.
- Lead design sessions with various internal and external stakeholders such as project team members, SCO management, and external agencies and partners (FI$Cal, CalPERS, control agencies, third party vendors, etc.).
- Conduct fit gap analysis and provide alternative solutions. Conduct analysis to identify any impacts to functional and non-functional requirements as a result of legislative change as well as unanticipated business needs exposed during design, development, configuration, testing, and implementation of the future solution. Utilize the project change control process to identify impacts and to obtain the necessary approvals.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure requirements are met and the future solution functions as expected. Provide recommendations regarding acceptance of contractor deliverables.
- Responsible for the identification, development, and documentation of test scenarios and test scripts with expected outcomes using the projects requirements management tool. Participate in all test phases and identify and document defects found and work with the system integrator to resolve and re-test until the solution is working as required. Provide updates to management on the status of testing and system acceptance.
- Work with other work streams technical and non-technical team members (state and contractor) in interface specification development and testing; report specification development and testing; assist the Organizational Change Management (OCM) Team in garnering stakeholder acceptance; conversion mapping and testing; and provide input into development of training materials.
- Meet regularly with the project management office to provide status reports and to provide input on, or recommendations for, project plans, direction, staffing, priorities and sensitive policy and legal issues.
- Work with control agencies to implement newly discovered changes that are necessary to accommodate the business functions and processes supported by the new system and to resolve issues impacting the efficiency of the business practices.
About State of California Office of the Controller
As the chief fiscal officer of California, the fourth largest economy in the world, the Controller’s office is responsible for the accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller independently audits government agencies that spend state funds and administers the payroll system for state government employees and California State University employees. The Controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners. The Controller serves on 70 boards and commissions with authority affecting policies ranging from land management, affordable housing, and alternative transportation to crime victim compensation and health and educational facilities. They are a member of numerous financing authorities, fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization. They also serve on the boards of the nation's two largest public pension funds. The Controller is one of eight statewide constitutional officials who are elected every four years in California.