Business Analyst

Job Description and Duties

If you have a passion to be a part of a team that works to serve, aid and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, then this is the place for you!

The Information Systems Division works in collaboration with programs and county agencies, to provide solutions to systems that assist, families access essentials such as, but not limited to, medical services, care providers, groceries, and transportation.

The California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) Information Systems Division (ISD) has an amazing opportunity for an Information Technology Associate (ITA)/ Business Analyst to join a dynamic team andmake a difference in many young Californians’ lives. Under the direction of an IT Supervisor II, the ITA willsupport planning, analysis, and delivery of IT solutions, ensuring business requirements are translated into effective technical solutions and projects are executed efficiently.

Additionally, the incumbent will act as the project staff for the required analytical studies to determine the optimum solutions and prepare Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) Framework documents, Budget Change Proposals (BCPs), and Federal Grant Funding requests necessary to obtain the required approvals and funding to implement solutions.

The duties of this position are focused on the Software Engineering domain; however, work may be assigned in other domains as appropriate.

The following includes the key duties and/or responsibilities of the IT Associate/Business Analyst position:

• Assist with low-complexity project activities, including gathering basic requirements, documenting business processes, organizing project materials, and supporting simple data analysis tasks.

• Support Project Managers and senior team members by helping prepare impact and gap analysis materials, contributing to solicitation document drafts, and participating in administrative tasks during proposal evaluations.

• Coordinate routine project activities by communicating with internal teams, program staff, and vendors to track action items, schedule meetings, and ensure documentation is up to date.

• Maintain effective working relationships with project leadership, program teams, and other stakeholders by providing clear communication, timely updates, and organized project artifacts.

• Assist in preparing components of Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) documents, Budget Change Proposal (BCP) inputs, and federal funding request materials under guidance from senior staff.

• Contribute to workflow and process analysis by documenting current processes, identifying minor inefficiencies, and supporting senior analysts in developing process improvement recommendations.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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Working Conditions

• Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance is fostered through measures like telework and adjustable schedules,allowing personal and professional lives to thrive together.

• Career Growth and Training: A focus on career growth and training to engage and retain a diverse talentpool that aligns with the organization's mission and vision.

• Learning and Development: Emphasizing continuous learning, CDSS offers onsite and virtual StatewideTraining programs to ensure that employees remain at the cutting edge of their fields.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity: A work culture that emphasizes a culture of diversity and inclusivity, offeringtangible rewards and recognizing the intrinsic value of varied perspectives and collaboration.

• Generous State Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental insurance, long-term disability insurance, 11paid holidays per year, paid time off, defined benefit retirement program, commute program, employeewellness programs, employee assistance programs, and medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts.

This work location is very convenient! This location is two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance to the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmer’s markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80.
This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.
Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS - APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

NOTE: Resumes, cover letters, and other materials will not be accepted in place of the required SOQ. A resume is not required, but it is strongly encouraged.

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, single-spaced, using Ariel 12-point font, and must have the applicant's first and last name and Statement of Qualifications in the upper left corner. The SOQ must be completed and numbered in the exact order presented and provide responses to each of the following questions.

Please explain your experience as it relates to the following questions below:

1) Describe a project or task where you supported business analysis activities. Explain how you assisted in gathering requirements, documenting workflows, identifying process gaps, or organizing information for senior analysts or project staff.

2) Explain how you have collaborated with team members, program staff, or stakeholders to support project activities. Provide examples of how you contributed to meetings, coordinated with others, facilitated discussions at a basic level, or helped resolve questions by gathering information or clarifying details.

3) Discuss your experience assisting with the analysis of a technical, system, or business process issue. Describe how you gathered information, summarized findings, organized data, or helped translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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:

• Interest in project planning and supporting project activities in alignment with business and program objectives.

• Foundational knowledge of business analysis, including gathering basic requirements, documenting processes, and assisting in translating business needs into IT concepts.

• Familiarity with project management concepts (e.g., PMBOK, CA-PMF) and experience supporting project tasks or project documentation.

• Exposure to business analysis frameworks such as the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK), with willingness to learn and apply BA techniques.

• Experience assisting with components of PAL documentation, Budget Change Proposals, or other project funding materials (or willingness to learn).

• Basic data analysis skills, including organizing information, identifying simple patterns, and summarizing findings for project teams.

• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, program staff, and technical stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, including the ability to explain information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Familiarity with project scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) or willingness to learn and support schedule maintenance.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.

o 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

o 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

• Vanpool drivers and riders

o 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees! Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.