Operations Lead

Job Description and Duties

Why Join California Health and Human Services Agency Office of Technology and Solutions Integration (CalHHS OTSI or OTSI)?

At OTSI, your work directly improves the health and well-being of Californians. We exist to be the trusted partner to CalHHS and its 12 state departments to deliver high-impact IT and data solutions that strengthen health and human services programs statewide.

We bring leadership, expertise, and capacity together and work collaboratively with our partners to design, deliver, and support IT and data solutions that accelerate the delivery of health and human service program outcomes and service value. Our culture is grounded in accountability, respect, integrity, and collaboration, and we integrate those values in how we lead, how we work, and how we serve.

If you are interested in applying your knowledge, skills, and experience in supporting critical public services, influencing statewide health and human service outcomes, and working alongside leaders and professionals who take ownership of results – OTSI is where that happens!

The EBT Project automates card issuance and delivery, redemption, settlement, and reconciliation of California’s Food and Cash program benefits. Each month, the California EBT system provides millions of recipients with electronic access to Food and Cash benefits at POS terminals and ATMs. The Operations Lead acts as a project leader on the most complex day-to-day activities and provides support for the information technology system services for CA EBT.

Under the direction of the IT Sup II, the Operations Lead acts as a project leader on the most complex day-to-day activities and provides support for the information technology system services for CA EBT such as monitoring the 24/7 EBT Client, Retailer, and County call centers, provide Help Desk support to over 1,500 county users, provide technical expertise to assist with the 24/7 public EBT Client Website, lead the Operations unit in activities related to deficiency management and issue tracking, and lead fraud prevention and detection efforts.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

PLP:

On July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.

Telework:

This position is currently eligible for one telework day per-week and is required to report in-person a minimum of four days per week. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the OTSI and is subject to operational needs.

Reporting Location:

Business travel may be required. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The OTSI office location for this position is: 2870 Gateway Oaks Drive Sacramento, CA 95833

Travel reimbursement considerations take into account an employee’s home address and designated reporting location and are subject to applicable policies, rules, regulations, and bargaining unit contract provisions.

Special Requirements

Possession of minimum qualifications will be verified prior to the interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Sealed Official transcripts are required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position.

Simple Application Steps:

If you are interested in this position, complete the following simple steps:

1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Information Technology Specialist I Classification . See the Minimum Requirements section above .
2. Complete the supplemental questionnaire and the state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions.
3. Submit your application package with all required documents, which include the supplemental questionnaire - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below.
4. Once you have applied, take the 

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:

- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

- Ability to exercise excellent critical thinking skills to guide decision-making and manage challenging problems and issues before recommending solutions.

- Highly organized and analytical, with the ability to lead in a deadline oriented environment.

- Highly collaborative, with keen ability to listen to other perspectives and work as a team to identify and deliver solutions.

- Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative; have independence of action and originality; demonstrate tact and exercise sound judgment that recognizes the best interests of the State.

- Ability to develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships.

- Ability to easily adapt to changing priorities.

Benefits

OTSI is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team:

• Ongoing professional development and engagement opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Free Parking!

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as:

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave
• Defined retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's 

Supplemental Questionnaire

The Supplemental Questionnaire is a narrative explanation of how your education, training, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities meet the desirable qualifications listed in this bulletin. The Supplemental Questionnaire must be titled “Supplemental Questionnaire” at the top of the first page, typed in a minimum of 12-point font, single spaced, on standard sized paper (8.5" X 11"), and no more than 2 pages in length. Cover pages, cover letters, and resumes do not take place of the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applications submitted without the required Supplemental Questionnaire will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for this position.

1. How does your education, training and experience meet the duties and qualifications of this position?

2. Describe your knowledge and experience with deficiency management, system deficiencies and issue tracking.

3. Describe your knowledge and experience with IT system operational activities and the role in which you served.

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.
• Supplemental Application -

  A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see the Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions below.