Security Operations Specialist

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is recruiting for one Permanent, Full-time Information Technology Specialist I position within the Information Technology Services Division's Security Unit . This position is to be located in the Sacramento office. This recruitment may be used to fill subsequent vacancies of this position within the next 180 days.


Under the general direction of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO, IT Manager I) the Information Technology Specialist I will serve as department's Security Operations Specialist.


The SOS will ensure DFPI IT systems are protected from threats, monitor systems and respond to alerts, perform investigations and analysis, and implement solutions to improve the Department's security posture. The SOS will assist the CISO and the Operations Manager in maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations including California Civil Code, the State Administrative Manual (SAM), the Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions


This job requires reporting on site a minimum of 4 days per week, with the option of one day of telework with an approved agreement.

Sacramento Location:

The Sacramento office is in the new state-of-the-art May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento's River District, conveniently located next to Light Rail. On site parking is available for a fee.


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-528679


Position #(s):
410-113-1402-004

Working Title:
Security Operations Specialist


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:
In Office


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DFPI supervises the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and money transmitters. Additionally, the DFPI licenses and regulates a variety of financial service providers, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders and other consumer finance lenders. The DFPI offers benefit packages, competitive salary, a robust training program and opportunities for advancement .


Department Website:


Special Requirements
Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.


Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting MQ's with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification . Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the MQ's, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.


Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .


Additional Filing Instructions :

• You are encouraged to apply electronically through your CalCareers account.
• If applying with a hard copy application, please reference "JC-528679/RPA# ITS 27-040" in the Job Title section of your State application in order to be considered for this vacancy.
• Hard copy applications not received or postmarked by 5:00 pm on the final filing date will not be accepted.
• Emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted.

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: 9/13/2026
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 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 Financial Protection and Innovation
N/A
Attn: Jeannelle Santos
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento , CA 95811


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
N/A
Jeannelle Santos
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento , CA 95811


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 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 -
  A Statement of Qualifications is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications" section below for specific requirements.
  

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:


Experience monitoring and assessing security controls in the information system, including review of server logs, firewall activity, systems activity, and security alerts.


Experience investigating system alerts and security incidents or attacks, taking appropriate actions to reduce exposure and secure systems and data.


Ability to work independently and under direction in small teams as a technical specialist to test, enhance, and maintain network infrastructure to reduce risk and protect data.


Knowledge of procedures for incident handling, particularly for analyzing incident-related data and determining the appropriate response.


Experience conducting research into security vulnerabilities, suggesting solutions, and implementing risk mitigation strategies through patching and system configuration.


Ability to effectively communicate both in writing and verbally.


Benefits
State employees may be eligible for health, dental, vision and leave benefits, as well as retirement programs and other benefits. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours and conditions of employment. Other possible benefits include:

• Alternate Work Schedules
• Telework
• Reimbursement Accounts

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.


Statement of Qualifications


APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) / SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (SQ) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
NOTE : Resumes, cover letters, and other materials will not be accepted in place of the required SOQ/SQ.
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ must be no more than three pages in length, single-spaced, using a 12-point font. It must have the applicant's first and last name and "Security Operations Specialist" in the upper left corner.


1. Describe your working experience in providing information security support services in an information technology environment.


2. Describe how you stay up-to-date with the latest security vulnerability and attack techniques.


3. Describe what steps you would take in response to an active security threat on your network.


Examination Information


Please read the Minimum Qualifications Section of the Classification Specifications AND the Exam Bulletin carefully to ensure you are currently eligible to take this examination before taking it. Candidates taking the exam prior to being eligible may be disqualified.

To obtain list eligibility for the Information Technology Specialist l before applying for the position(s), you must first take and pass the Information Technology Specialist l examination.

Candidate Resources/Tools:

• State Application Checklist
• Interview Checklist
• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Tips

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.


It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.