Job Posting: Research Technologist-Audits Division-Hybrid

CA Privacy Protection Agency

JC-487108
-
Research Technologist-Audits Division-Hybrid
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III

$9,507.00 - $12,740.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/18/2025

Job Description and Duties

Telework is available for this position; however, changes to the telework program are at the Agency’s discretion. Remote-centered employees may be required to report in person to one of the agency's multiple reporting locations, as determined by management, and may be required to utilize a shared workspace or “hotel” when working in the office.
 

Under administrative direction, the Information Technologist Specialist III (ITS III) will work as a Research Technologist and serve as an expert advisor to support the CPPA’s Audits Division and, as needed, the Enforcement Division. The Research Technologist will conduct audits and review compliance pertaining to privacy, cyber security, and automated decision making on both an industry-wide and business-specific basis. Duties include:

Identify compliance gaps in privacy technologies and processes at regulated businesses, including but not limited to, data minimization, data anonymization, differential privacy, and processing of consumer privacy requests. Prepare audit reports. Recommend corrective actions. Plan, develop, and document requirements and methodologies in audits involving emerging technologies and their applications to business processes. Analyze algorithms and protocols related to data protection and privacy, authentication, automated decision-making, or digital advertising. Build and develop tools to research privacy trends online and offline. Explain technical concepts to lay audiences. Assist enforcement staff in investigating potential violations of the California Consumer Privacy Act and prosecuting violations. Provide testimony at hearings to explain audit findings. Work closely with Enforcement Division attorneys on enforcement referrals arising from audits.


The headquarters for this position may be:

San Francisco – One Sansome Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94104
Los Angeles – 300 S. Spring Street, Suite 15513, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Sacramento – 400 R Street, Suite 350, Sacramento, CA 95834

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-487108
Position #(s):
411-120-1415-001
Working Title:
Research Technologist-Audits Division-Hybrid
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III
$9,507.00 - $12,740.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Work Shift:
8:00am-5:00pm
Work Week:
Monday-Friday

Department Information

The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)’s mission is to protect Californians’ consumer privacy. The Agency implements and enforces the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Its responsibilities include: 1) rulemaking in a highly complicated, technical, sometimes contested, and nuanced area; 2) supporting awareness across California’s diverse population on issues related to privacy and data security, including the new rights provided to them by the law; and 3) administrative enforcement of those rights.

Department Website: https://cppa.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with any state agency. Click here to learn more about examinations administered by DGS and examinations available online.

 

The State of California is an eligible employer for the purposes of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. To learn more, visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

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: 8/18/2025

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.

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:

CA Privacy Protection Agency
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Recruitment & Exam Services Unit
707 Third Street, 7th Floor
West Sacramento, CA 95605

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

CA Privacy Protection Agency
Office of Human Resources
Recruitment & Exam Services Unit
707 Third Street, 7th Floor
West Sacramento, CA 95605
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 - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see SOQ section below. 
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:

• Two or more years’ experience in conducting research, auditing, testing, or forensics on systems that impact consumer privacy.
• Two or more years of specialized technical expertise in technology research, technology policy, software engineering, or security.
• Understanding of internal controls, risk management principles, and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and policies of federal and state, agencies, as well as federal and state legislation pertaining to privacy rights.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate challenges and develop actionable solutions.
• Experience in mobile technology, digital advertising technology, cookies, tracking, and algorithms.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics verbally, in writing, and deliver presentations to a lay audience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to multi-task.
• Access to a professional work environment or workspace.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package, some benefits include:

 

  • Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid Holidays and leave
  • Defined benefit retirement program
  • Saving Plus Program (401(k), 457)
  • Commute Program
  • Employee Wellness Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

 

Click here to view all benefits available to state employees!

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://cppa.ca.gov/
Hiring Unit Contact:
Rhonda Riley
(916) 572-2900
HR@cppa.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 Main line
(916) 376-5127
DGSEEO@dgs.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.

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. A SOQ is a discussion of how an applicant’s education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the desirable qualifications. Applications without an SOQ may be rejected. The SOQ must be numbered and address each statement listed below. A resume is optional and will not replace an SOQ.

The SOQ must be no more than three pages in length, no less than 10 pt. Arial font.

1. The Audits Division conducts research and auditing relating to privacy, cyber security, and automated decisionmaking technology at California’s cutting-edge agency devoted to protecting consumer privacy. Describe your work experience conducting research, auditing, testing, or forensics on systems that impact consumer privacy.

2. The Audits Division audits businesses relating to their compliance with California’s privacy law. Describe your experience analyzing compliance with law, generating reports, and making recommendations for corrective action, ideally relating to consumer privacy.

Conflict of Interest

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment and once per year.

Reporting Location: California Privacy Protection Agency
The headquarters for this position may be:
San Francisco – One Sansome Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94104
Los Angeles – 300 S. Spring Street, Suite 15513, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Sacramento – 400 R Street, Ste. 350, Sacramento, CA 95811

Please specify RPA 28853 and JC 487108 on your state application.

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