Business Lead

Job Description and Duties

Under general direction provided by the Functional 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 CSPS IT Project, a project to improve and replace the current personnel, payroll, and travel systems. CSPS is delivering an innovative and modern Human Capital Management (HCM) solution to streamline business processes for Position Control, Personnel Administration, Benefits Administration, Time Management, Travel and Expense Management, and Payroll. 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. The IT Specialist II will combine complex analysis for business needs with project management tasks, which includes 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 functionality assigned and will oversee the work of internal and vendor business analyst resources 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, Agile Framework/Scaled Agile Framewrok, 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 plans and artifacts. Exercise independence and provide leadership in the design, development, configuration, and implementation of the future solution.

• Provide expert advice on system functionality to vendors and make decisions on issues that arise. Act as lead with vendor 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 (department HR staff, control agencies, etc.).

• Conduct fit gap analysis and provide alternative solutions. Conduct analysis to identify any impacts to 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 collaboration and identification, development, and documentation of test scenarios and test scripts with expected outcomes using the projects IBM Engineering Workflow 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.

• Recommend, plan and assist in the development of statewide policies (for approval by control agencies), procedures and processes for the future solution.

• Work with other work streams, technical and non-technical team members (state and vendor) 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.

• Execute activities and tasks to ensure adherence to the project plans.

• 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.

• Represent the SCO on various functional and technical focus groups, task forces comprised of departmental, control agency, and labor union representatives, to facilitate change and business improvements to support the state’s personnel and payroll project goals and objectives using information technology methods; and engage in business relationships requiring tact and perspective.

• Develop, attend meetings and make presentations to various internal and external stakeholders.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Emerald Tower on Capitol Mall, steps from Tower Bridge and is walking distance to the State Capitol. The building offers affordable monthly parking, employee gym access, an amenities center, and a beautiful mid-tower garden terrace. It is conveniently situated only blocks from Old Sacramento, numerous restaurants, a seasonal farmer’s market, and the Crocker Art Museum. Overlooking the Golden 1 Arena and Downtown Commons, the office is accessible from Sacramento Regional Transit’s light rail and bus systems, with convenient access to I-5, I-80, US 50 & US 99. 

This position is eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies. Applicants must reside within California at the time of appointment. 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Special Requirements

A resume is required. 

A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see ‘Required Application Package Documents’ for instructions. 

Take the required examination here: Information Technology Specialist II Examination

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:

• Ability to uphold SCO's T.R.U.S.T.E.D values

• Ability to communicate effectively while using tact and good judgment

• Ability to work under pressure with changing priorities and/or deadlines

• Ability to work well with others at all levels

• Ability to formulate and recommend policies and procedures

• Ability to analyze and resolve complex business problems

• Ability to make critical and timely decisions

• Ability to develop and foster collaborative working relationships

• Ability to develop new and innovative approaches and recommend changes

• Ability to guide staff in navigating sensitive situations

• Ability to guide staff in the completion of project artifacts from various sources to facilitate software design, development, testing and implementation

• Experience with IBM Doors, JIRA, and SharePoint

• Experience with application development concepts, methodologies, best practices and tools

• Experience with Vendor Management

• Experience with reviewing and approving contract deliverables

• Experience planning, directing, mentoring, and coaching project teams

• Excellent attendance, dependability, initiative and independence

• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their application to business processes

• Knowledge of and experience with the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC) principles and practices

• Knowledge of the California Project Management Framework

• Knowledge of and Experience with State Benefits Administration

Benefits

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

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 -

  Please submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the prompt below. The SOQ should be no longer than one page in length and size 12 font. Applications submitted without a SOQ in a narrative format will automatically be excluded from the recruitment process.

  • Describe your experience and the qualifications you possess that would make you a successful candidate for this position.

  Resumes and cover letters cannot be substituted for the SOQs. Applications submitted without the SOQ will not be considered for the position.