Exam Bulletin - Information Technology Specialist I

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1750

Examination Plans Included:

  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I: $6,139.00 - $8,228.00 (A) per Month
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I: $6,751.00 - $9,048.00 (B) per Month
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I: $7,413.00 - $9,932.00 (C) per Month

View the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1750

For INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01750

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00101402 - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I

When using education to meet the general experience requirements listed in the minimum qualifications, education must include the specified information technology or closely related course work. Closely related course work refers to a course of study involving the study of computing, such as software engineering, computer engineering, Management Information Systems, Geographic Information System, and computing technology.

Two years as an Information Technology Associate; or

Four years of general information technology experience performing technical and/or analytical tasks for computer systems or services in any of the six domains or emerging information technology fields; or

120 semester units (or 180 quarter units) from an accredited college or university including at least 15 semester units (or 22.5 quarter units) of information technology or closely related course work; or

Any equivalent combination of experience and education.

When using education to meet minimum qualifications, education must include the specified IT or closely related course work.

Position Description

00101402 - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I

Under direction, incumbents may perform a wide variety of tasks requiring regular innovative problem-solving within broadly stated and non-specific guidelines. The scope typically includes multiple program areas, and involves planning, developing, and implementing technological solutions that are essential to the missions of the overall organization, or affecting large numbers of people on a long-term or continuous basis in one or more of the Business Technology Management, Client Services, Information Security Engineering, Information Technology Project Management, Software Engineering, or System Engineering domains.

Incumbents may: perform feasibility studies and research analysis related to technology projects; provide information technology consultation in support of business programs; establish inventory management guidelines; provide metrics on service level agreements; install or repair hardware or peripheral equipment; develop, implement, and maintain security and privacy training; investigate security incidents; develop and/or review data sharing agreements prior to release of confidential information; analyze business impact and exposure based on emerging security threats; monitor project milestones and deliverables; coordinate and consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements; develop and sustain cooperative working relationships with project stakeholders; perform software product deployment and release management activities; define and design software solutions; identify infrastructure system requirements and recommend technology, hardware, software, and plans installation; advise, create, or participate in the design of new system architecture, standards, and methods to support organizational needs; install, configure, administer, test, and maintain communication infrastructure systems; conduct research and perform analysis to recommend system upgrades, cost-effective solutions, and process improvements; troubleshoot, track, and conduct root cause analysis of system/database/operational issues; and act in a lead role over lower-level staff.

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications
For specific positions, departments may specify knowledge, experience, or specific training in one or more of the six identified domains.

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Principles, techniques, and procedures related to the delivery of information technology services 
  2. The System Development Lifecycle including the associated methodologies, tools, and processes 
  3. The organization's business processes and procedures 
  4. Education tools and techniques 
  5. Performance monitoring tools and techniques 
  6. Data administration techniques and best practices
  7. Information technology governance principles and guidelines to support decision making 
  8. Complex and mission critical business processes and systems 
  9. Principles, methods and procedures for designing, developing, optimizing, and integrating systems in accordance with best practices 
  10. System specifications design, documentation, and implementation methodologies and techniques
Ability to:
  1. Use initiative 
  2. Act independently with flexibility and tact 
  3. Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems 
  4. Perform technical analysis of proposed technology solutions 
  5. Comprehend technical documents to interpret specifications, system implementations, capabilities, interdependencies, and compatibilities 
  6. Serve as a technical liaison 
  7. Develop and effectively utilize all available resources 
  8. Develop end-user training materials 
  9. Gather data to perform statistical analysis and report outcomes
  10. Formulate and recommend policies and procedures 
  11. Perform effectively in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing priorities 
  12. Establish and maintain project priorities 
  13. Apply federal, state, department, and organizational policies and procedures to state information technology operations 
  14. Apply systems life cycle management concepts used to plan, develop, implement, operate, and maintain information systems 
  15. Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interests of the organization 
  16. Consider the business implications of the technology to the current and future business environment 
  17. Communicate change impacts and change activities through various methods 
  18. Conduct end-user training 
  19. Collaborate closely with technical subject matter experts such as database administrators, network engineers, and server administrators to ensure systems are secure and meet compliance requirements 
  20. Assess situation to determine the importance, urgency, and risks to the project and the organization 
  21. Make decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization 
  22. Provide quality and timely ad hoc project information to executives, project team members, and stakeholders
  23. Develop decision making documents 
  24. Assess and understand complex business processes and customer requirements to ensure new technologies, architectures, and security products will meet their needs

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Information Technology Specialist I Training and Experience Exam Preview

Section 1: Knowledge

Instructions:
Rate your knowledge in relation to the following job-related statements. Respond to each of the following statements by choosing the option that most closely applies to you. You are required to respond to every item.

1. Knowledge of fundamental Information Technology concepts, practices, and/or principles to provide a foundation for technology related work.
2. Knowledge of Information Technology industry best practices and/or guidelines used to solve complex technology related issues.
3. Knowledge of policies, principles, techniques, and/or procedures used to deliver and/or support IT solutions or services.
4. Knowledge of the development and/or utilization of technologies to meet current and/or future business needs.

Section 2: Abilities

Instructions:
Rate your ability performing the following specific job-related tasks. Respond to each of the following statements by choosing the option that most closely applies to you. You are required to respond to every item.

5. Ability to effectively communicate technical information to non-technical people.
6. Ability to collaborate closely with subject matter experts to ensure Information Technology solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements.
7. Ability to proficiently use computers and software applications including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and/or presentation programs.
8. Ability to perform effectively in fast-paced environments with constantly changing priorities.
9. Ability to identify problems, perform analysis to evaluate alternatives, and recommend appropriate solutions.
10. Ability to analyze, develop, and/or document business processes and/or requirements utilizing industry best practices and standard methodologies.
11. Ability to provide consultation and/or expertise in at least one information technology domain to assist with IT related issues.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.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.

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.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)