Job Posting: Chief Technology Officer

Covered California

JC-464731
-
Chief Technology Officer
C. E. A.

$11,778.00 - $14,032.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 3/1/2025

Job Description and Duties

Shape the Future of Healthcare Technology at Covered California!

Are you ready to harness the power of technology to improve healthcare access for millions? As Covered California’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), you will spearhead technological innovation that improves the health and well-being of all Californians by providing them with access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.

 

Lead With Purpose

Imagine leading a transformation where technology meets social impact. As our CTO, you’ll architect and deliver technical strategies that power California’s Health Benefit Exchange, ensuring millions of Californians can access the healthcare they deserve.

 

Impact at Scale

You will lead our Information Technology Division’s Employee Experience, Service Delivery, Infrastructure, and Operations Branch. This strategic leadership role is at the heart of ensuring that Covered California’s technology architecture, infrastructure, and digital services drive employee experience excellence and secure and support the compliant operations of our State-Based Health Benefit Exchange.

 

As the Chief Technology Officer, you will…

 

  • Deliver digital solutions that revolutionize how employees serve our communities.
  • Modernize our technology infrastructure to meet tomorrow's healthcare challenges.
  • Champion innovations that establish new standards for delivering and supporting healthcare technology.
  • Implement state-of-the-art security measures that protect sensitive healthcare data.
  • Build scalable systems that will grow with California's healthcare needs.
  • Lead a team of talented technology professionals, fostering innovation while effectively managing technology investments, partnerships, and operations.

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

Working Conditions

  • Covered California operates multiple offices across different geographic regions (Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento) within the state. Although this position provides flexibility, it necessitates regular attendance at collaborative sessions and key meetings in Sacramento, California. This position may be eligible for telework. In accordance with Government Code section 14200, only employees who reside in California are eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Covered California’s current telework policy. While Covered California supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.

  • This position is headquartered in Sacramento. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. Travel expenses associated with commuting to the employee’s office headquarters location are not reimbursable, other than authorized transit subsidies.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-464731
Position #(s):
801-130-7500-002
Working Title:
Chief Technology Officer
Classification:
C. E. A.
$11,778.00 - $14,032.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time
Work Shift:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Work Week:
Monday - Friday

Department Information

Covered California works to improve the health of all Californians by assuring their access to affordable, high-quality care. At Covered California, we recognize our employees are our most valuable asset. Our employees are the vital link that ensures that our vision, mission, and values are fully realized. We have a variety of career fields that help make a difference in the lives of Californians, and we’re looking for talented and enthusiastic individuals to join our team!

 

We offer an award-winning wellness program, inclusive and diverse atmosphere, employee recognition programs, on site fitness centers at our Sacramento and Service Center locations, and free parking at all of our locations!

 

Life can change in an instant – so can your career!

 

Learn more about why Covered California is an employer of choice on our website.

Special Requirements

A CEA Examination is required as part of the application package and will consist of a review of the candidate's Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) that describes their education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the desirable qualifications listed for this position. The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.


**Applicants who do not follow the SOQ instructions and/or do not answer the responses as stated in the Examination Information section of this posting will not be considered.**

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Where assistive tools may be used, responses within the SOQ should be your own original work. Applicants must write in their own words and avoid plagiarism. Failure to comply may be cause for disqualification.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. 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: 3/1/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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:

Covered California
Employment & Classification Services
Attn: HRB-ERU-MB
1601 Exposition Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Covered California
Employment & Classification Services
HRB-ERU-MB
1601 Exposition Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
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 required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Please attach your SOQ to your application. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in place of a SOQ. Please see above “Special Requirements” section for SOQ instructions.

  • Other -

    Cover Letter is optional.

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.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

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:
  1. Leadership and Strategy – the ability to develop and implement enterprise-wide technology policies and strategies that align with strategic goals and business operations.
  2. Infrastructure and Operations Management – experience leading technology infrastructure and operations for a large, complex organization.
  3. Innovation and Digital Transformation – experience implementing new technologies, including responsible generative AI, to improve employee productivity and organizational efficiency.
  4. Information Security and Compliance – experience managing sensitive and confidential information in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
  5. Team Leadership and Talent Management – experience leading a diverse team of technical staff in a hybrid work environment and managing an annual budget of more than $25M.
  6. Technical Support – experience leading and improving a technology help desk or IT support team.

Examination Information

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as the CEA Examination; no additional examination needs to be completed via CalCareers.

 

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must specifically address the desirable qualifications listed below. When responding to these items, applicants must follow these guidelines:

 

  • The SOQ should be numbered in the same order as the desirable qualifications listed and should address each desirable individually.
  • The SOQ should be typed in 12-point Arial font, single-spaced, on letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”), limited to one page per item, and no more than six (6) pages total.
  • Responses should be complete, specific, clear, concise, and include examples.
  • Please note: resumes and cover letters will not be considered a substitute for the SOQ.

 

For each of the statements below, please address each desirable qualification and provide specific examples of your experience in the relevant areas:

  1. Leadership and Strategy – Describe your experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide technology policies and strategies that align with organizational strategic goals and inspire your team and business partners to improve business operations and outcomes.
  2. Infrastructure and Operations – Describe your experience leading technology infrastructure and operations for a large, complex organization. How does this experience prepare you to ensure high availability and security for Covered California's critical business processes and the systems supporting them?
  3. Innovation and Digital Transformation - Describe your experience implementing new technologies, such as responsible generative AI, to improve employee productivity and organizational efficiency at scale.
  4. Information Security and Compliance - Demonstrate your experience ensuring that technology systems and processes comply with relevant Federal and State regulations, particularly regarding handling sensitive or confidential consumer and employee information.
  5. Team Leadership and Talent Management - Describe your approach to managing and developing a diverse team of technical staff, including State employees, contractors, and vendors, in a hybrid work environment, including the strategy you used to manage an annual budget of over $25M effectively.
  6. Technical Support – Describe your experience leading and improving a technology help desk or IT support team. How did you cost-effectively ensure responsiveness, measure performance, and implement changes to enhance customer satisfaction?


If you have any questions regarding the SOQ requirement, we encourage you to reach out to the recruiter directly: Meghan Brown, Executive Recruitment Specialist, at (916) 954-3179 or through email at Meghan.Brown@covered.ca.gov.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department 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 law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Health, Vision, Dental, Retirement, and an array of other options. For more information on the benefits offered by the State of California, please click below:

 

CalHR Benefits Summary 

CalHR Salary and Benefits Information

CalPERS Retirement Information

CalPERS Employer Contributions

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Meghan Brown
(916) 954-3179
Meghan.Brown@covered.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 Office
(916) 228-8268
EEO@covered.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.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Background Check: All applicants shall be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The investigation will consist of completion of a pre-employment questionnaire, fingerprinting, and an inquiry to the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation to disclose criminal records.

 

This position is identified as a Conflict of Interest (COI) Form 700 position.  Government Code Section 19990 specifies a state officer or employee shall not engage in any employment, activity, or enterprise which is clearly inconsistent, incompatible, in conflict with, or inimical to his or her duties as a state officer or employee. Government Code Section 100500 (f) (1) states, in pertinent part:

 

“...staff of the Exchange shall not be employed by, a consultant to, a member of the board of directors of, affiliated with, or otherwise a representative of, a carrier or other insurer, and agent or broker, a health care provider, or a health care facility or health clinic while serving on the board or on the staff of the Covered California.  A member of the board or of the staff of the Exchange shall not be a member, a board member, or an employee of a trade association of carriers, health facilities, health clinics, or health care providers while serving on the board or on the staff of the Exchange.”  

 

Applicants who may fall under Government Code 100500 (f) (1) will be considered ineligible for appointment with the Exchange. Please read the Covered California Incompatible Activities Statement and Policy (CCAM 14-400). Please email any questions or concerns you may have prior to accepting a final offer of employment to Form700@covered.ca.gov.

Additional Application Instructions

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

 

All information regarding your employment history must be included on the State Employment Application STD. 678. Applications that are submitted blank or with “see resume” in place of duties performed or applications received without the following information for each job entry will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted:

  • "To" and "from" dates (month/day/year)
  • Hours worked per week
  • Private sector job titles
  • Supervisor name and phone number
  • Job duties performed
  • State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).

 

Transcripts:

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found here.

 

Personally Identifiable Information:

Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

 

If you have additional questions regarding this advertisement or are having issues applying through CalCareers, please contact Meghan Brown, Executive Recruitment Specialist at (916) 954-3179 or through email at Meghan.Brown@covered.ca.gov.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job