Senior Contract Specialist

The Information Technology (IT) Specialist (S) II serves as a Senior Contracts Specialist in the IT Contract Services Section (ITCSS). The responsibilities lie within the Business Technology Management and Project Management domains. The ITS II serves as a Senior Contracts Specialist in the IT Contract Services Section (ITCSS). The responsibilities lie within the Business Technology Management and Project Management domains. The ITS II serves as a Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Senior Contracts Specialist of major IT systems and services and provides consultative and expert support on all phases of the procurement process. The ITS II is responsible for reviewing highly technical and specialized procurements and contracts for IT services for DHCS. The ITS II independently develops solicitations, contracts, amendments, and other related contractual documents in accordance with all state and federal requirements. The ITS II also provides guidance on IT statements of work and other contract requirements development to Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) partners. This position requires extensive technical knowledge and skills related to contract activities associated with the support and maintenance of DHCS' IT projects.

This position requires a high level of knowledge and understanding of procurement and contract best practices, communication, facilitation skills, and the ability to compose the most complex solicitation and contractual documents. It also requires extensive knowledge of IT consulting services to ensure that purchases are aligned with all the duties and responsibilities prescribed in the State Contracting Manuals issued by Department of General Services (DGS), the Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM) from California Department of Technology (CDT), Public Contracting Codes, Government Codes, federal statutes, and DHCS' IT strategy and standards.

This recruitment will run until filled with the following cutoff dates for review: 9/4/2024, 9/30/2024 and finally 10/25/2024.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

This recruitment has been posted for multiple vacancies as it may be used to fill additional identical vacancies which occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

This position is currently a hybrid telework position and you will be required to come into the headquarters office twice a week. In-office days will be at the discretion of your manager in accordance with DHCS guidelines. You may also be required to work in the office occasionally and/or travel to support the needs of Enterprise Technology Services and to attend mandatory meetings. The remote status may be subject to change.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-446964

Position #(s):
802-383-1414-XXX

Working Title:
Senior Contract Specialist

Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST II $8,374.00 - $11,220.00 A

# of Positions:
Multiple

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) serves as California's health care safety net, helping millions of low-income and disabled Californians daily. DHCS' purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care leading to a healthy California for all.

The Enterprise Technology Services Program (ETS) plays a pivotal role in DHCS's operations, responsible for designing, architecting, and delivering secure, innovative solutions and services to enhance health care quality. ETS oversees IT strategy formulation, enterprise architecture, portfolio management, and governance, providing a secure, reliable IT environment to support DHCS's program and administrative objectives, as well as those of the Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Health Information Integrity, and Office of the Patient Advocate. ETS establishes IT policy and standards, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and supports a complex portfolio of program systems.

DHCS is a dynamic organization with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. DHCS is committed to addressing disparities within our organization and communities through efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is accomplished, in part, by a commitment toward employing a diverse workforce that reflects the many communities we serve, and by promoting and enforcing equal employment opportunity.

Foreign Degrees or Transcripts - Applicants with foreign degrees or transcripts who wish to apply their coursework toward meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which his/her foreign coursework is equivalent. DHCS accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the services listed on these webpages:

• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or
• Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.

Special Requirements

Please see the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions section under REQUIRED APPLICATION PACKAGE DOCUMENTS, for specific instructions. Note: your SOQ will be used as a pre-interview screening tool. Applicants who do not follow the SOQ instructions and/or do not answer the question, will not be considered.

Application Instructions
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: Until Filled
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply
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 CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Health Care Services
Attn: Certification Technician JC-446964
M.S. 1300
P.O. Box 997411
Sacramento , CA 95899-7411

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Health Care Services
JC-446964
1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501

Sacramento , CA 95814
Drop-off location is open weekdays; closed on weekends and holidays
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 - Your Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. We request that you refrain from using Artificial Intelligence assistance while crafting your response. This allows us to evaluate and comprehend your personal writing style, communication skills, and abilities accurately.
  The SOQ must be typed, no more than one page in length, 12 pt. Arial, on 8 ½ x 11 paper with 1" margins. Each question must be numbered, and answers must list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment and duties performed. The header should include the following information: Job control #, first and last name, and page number. The SOQ must address the following:
  
  1. The Information Technology Contract Services Section has a heavy workload, and the Senior Contracts Specialist will be expected to juggle multiple contracts at once. Describe your experience with keeping complex contracts or projects on track. Include details on the actions you took, why the contract/project was complex, and the tools you used.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

• Knowledge of and experience with state and federal procurement, contract, and project management regulations
• Professionalism
• Ability to conduct research and work independently
• Team player
• Self-motivated
• Customer Service skills/experience
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Experience and significant interest in leading continuous improvement efforts

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)

• Ability to think critically and create sound written recommendations
• Public Speaking skills/experience
• Training experience
• Computer skills including experience with: Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, and Jira

Benefits DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive through continuous training, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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

Alternative work schedules
Remote work options
Medical benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid holidays: 11 paid State holidays, 1 personal paid holiday, and 2 professional development days.
Defined retirement program
Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the State of California, please explore the Health Benefits Summary provided by CalHR.

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Marie Seavers
(916) 713-8107
Marie.seavers@dhcs.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 440-7370
civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

A completed state application (STD. 678) and any documents list under "Required Application Documents" must be submitted with your application package. Applicants who are relying on additional documentation (e.g. transcripts, copy of degrees, certifications, licenses, etc.) in order to prove that they meet the minimum qualifications listed in the Classification Specification must submit those documents with their application package. Failure to submit these documents may result in your application being disqualified. Applications must include a description of the duties performed for each position held; reference to a resume in place of a description of the duties performed will not be accepted.

Here is the link to the exam bulletin for Information Technology Specialist II Exam (ca.gov)

If applying electronically, please note that CalCareers no longer allows applicants to withdraw their applications. If you need assistance to withdraw your application, please contact the Recruitment Section at Recruit@dhcs.ca.gov

For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, please contact CalHR's CalCareers Unit at (866) 844-8671 or CalCareer@calhr.ca.g ov

Testing and Exam Information

**IMPORTANT**

Candidates must ensure they have the experience and/or education for the minimum qualifications (MQ) prior to taking the exam for this classification. Please ensure you met and exceeded the required time w hen using experience to meet the MQs. For example, one year of experience would be January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024. Taking the exam prior to January 1, 2024, would result in you not meeting the MQs. You may not round up your time and should not take the exam prior to meeting the full required experience. Taking an exam prematurely will make you ineligible. You may be subject to a penalty period that could be up to one year.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.