EBT Operations Manager

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!

About this role:

The California Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Project leads the automation of EBT 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 Point -Of-Sale (POS) terminals and ATMs.

The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) mandates that California operate a standalone EBT reconciliation system (known as SARS). The Statewide Automated Reconciliation System (SARS) provides a single repository of statewide welfare transactions and reports. The primary purpose of the SARS is to compare actual county issuance and settlement data with the benefit draw and account activity data reported by the California EBT system.

The EBT Operations Manager, Information Technology (IT) Supervisor (Sup) II, will plan, direct, organize, and coordinate the day-to-day activities related to the Statewide Automated Reconciliation System (SARS) and the California EBT System.

Day-to-day activities include but are not limited to managing:

• EBT and SARS application support.
• Compliance and security with federal and state requirements.
• System testing, changes, and enhancements to maintain system reliability.
• Coordinating with stakeholders and contractors to resolve issues and support system performance.
• Supervising and developing team members while managing resources, workload, and performance.

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 Supervisor II 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:

• Demonstrated strong influencing, negotiation, and communication skills (written, verbal, presentations).

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

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

• Demonstrated experience leading technical discussions to resolve issues and develop risk mitigation strategies.

• Knowledge and experience monitoring the performance of a medium to large scale information technology system.

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

• Transitional leader with the ability to motivate teams and set clear priorities.

• 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 and our work efforts.

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

• Ability to easily adapt to changing priorities.

• Ability to handle multiple concurrent projects, thrive under pressure, and while always remaining professional

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

When responding to the supplemental questionnaire, applicants must follow these below instructions. Failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification from this exam/hiring process.:

• Responses must be typewritten on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, no more than 2 page(s) in length, and using font no smaller than size 11.
• Responses are to be complete, specific, clear, and concise.

• Responses to the questions should be easily identified (e.g. by numbering the response to the corresponding question, or repeating the prompt in response).

1. How does your education, training and experience align with the duties, as outlined in the duty statement, and desirable qualifications of this position?

2. Describe your knowledge and experience with deficiency management and issue resolution.

3. Describe your knowledge and experience as it relates to system testing.

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.
• Supplemental Application -

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