AI Automation Specialist

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by creating customer focused solutions that are responsive and agile; supporting a modern infrastructure, tools, architecture, and standards; to effectively provide efficient services following service level agreements. The Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) leverages data and technology to create sustainability across CDPH by creating efficient solutions that meet customer expectations and reduce waste. As well as, creating innovative solutions, strengthening partnerships and collaborations, and embracing technology.

Under direction of the Information Technology Manager (ITM) II, Chief of the Technology Integration Services Branch (TISB), the Information Technology Specialist (ITS) I provides critical technical oversight for AI and Automation initiatives deployed and being deployed at CDPH to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and support emerging program needs, audits, and compliance activities. This includes, but is not limited to, participating in enterprise governance and risk management efforts, developing foundational AI and automation architecture frameworks and processes, collaborating with the Security Operations Center and cross-functional teams to ensure appropriate monitoring and controls for automated systems, and making recommendations to improve performance, reliability, and scalability.

The ITS I performs duties within the System Engineering and Information Security Engineering domains.

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.

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Working Conditions

Telework Information:

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Special Requirements

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control #(533997) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application . Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

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 CalCareers Account at Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email View email address on us.fitly.work for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

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:

Technical Qualifications: Experience with AI/ML model development and deployment; integrating LLMs and RPA tools; Python proficiency; MLOps familiarity; knowledge of UiPath/Power Automate; data engineering and ETL; cloud services (Azure preferred); API integration; data privacy and governance; vector databases and RAG; process analysis for automation; Agile/Scrum; workflow documentation; vendor management; pilot and POC execution; data quality and metadata; analytics tools; model performance evaluation.

Soft Skills: Clear communication of AI concepts; strong collaboration; adaptability; mentoring experience.

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions:

Your SOQ must explain how your education, training, and experience demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the AI Automation Specialist position. In 1–2 pages, describe your experience with automation, AI-augmented workflows, data preparation and validation, solution design, troubleshooting, and technical documentation. Provide specific examples that show your problem-solving skills, ability to collaborate with diverse teams, and commitment to responsible, secure, and compliant use of emerging technologies. Include your name and position title on each page.

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 see Statement of Qualifications instructions below at end of posting . Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SOQ may be rejected .