Job Posting: UX Designer

Office of Data and Innovation

JC-515289
-
UX Designer
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: 5/12/2026

Job Description and Duties

    The California Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) helps the state deliver better services to the people of California through technology and design. We work with other state departments to improve programs and tools. We listen to the people who use these services to learn what they need. Then we design and build better solutions. Our team includes designers, engineers, product managers, data experts, researchers, and strategists.

     

    We're looking for a senior-level User Experience (UX) Designer to join our team. In this role, you will design digital services and products that are user-focused, effective, and accessible. Your work will incorporate equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles. You will work closely with researchers, content designers, developers, and other partners. Your work will help state departments deliver better services to Californians.

    This is a senior role. You will work independently and lead your own projects. You will also support more senior designers to help move larger team goals forward. You should feel comfortable making decisions, managing your time, and collaborating across teams.

    We are looking for a UX designer who brings both strong visual design skills and service design skills. You should be able to design clear, thoughtful, and visually polished interfaces that are ready for implementation. You should also be able to understand how the full service works across many steps, teams, and systems. You may create journey maps, lead workshops, organize complex information, and help teams see the full picture.

    ODI staff reside throughout California. The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento,CA or Oakland, CA. Travel to the Sacramento headquarters may be required as needed. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies.


    Need help understanding the hiring process or have questions about ODI? We'd love to talk to you! Before     applying, read through our civil service application guide, or contact us at odi-talent-team@innovation.ca.gov. Please include the position title in the subject line.

    All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Your submission must include a  direct response to the question listed. Your response must include at least one specific example. Your SOQ submission is limited to no more than two pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font. Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

    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-515289
    Position #(s):
    418-100-1415-900
    Working Title:
    UX Designer
    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

    Department Information

    The California Office of Data and Innovation helps deliver better services to the people of California through technology and design. In close partnership with our colleagues in other state departments, we reimagine and deliver more equitable and effective programs and products. We listen to Californians who use a program now or may do so tomorrow and hear about what they need. We build tools and products, create and enhance digital services, conduct research, identify data solutions and offer training. We are a cross-discipline staff with blended backgrounds in design, engineering, product, operations, data, research, policy and strategy. If you can imagine joining this growing, and inclusive team, please apply!

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ODI

    Diversity, equity, and inclusion help us deliver better government services to Californians. Fostering diversity inspires better ideas and more innovative thinking. Feeling included nurtures a shared sense of community. This drives us to take collective action on challenging problems. Prioritizing equity ensures we build solutions for people whose needs are often overlooked. We acknowledge our history and present of implicit and structural injustice, bias, and discrimination. We see, hear, and accept each other and the lived experiences we bring to our work. We support each other in learning and developing so we can help all Californians thrive. We understand this work is never done. That’s why we commit to constant improvement.

    Please note, CalHR provides contracted Human Resources services for The California Office of Data and Innovation and is not an E-Verified employer.  
    Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/

    Special Requirements

    All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Your submission must include a direct response to the question listed. Your response must include at least one specific example. Your SOQ submission is limited to no more than two pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

    1. Describe a time when you improved a service, product, or user experience based on user needs.

      Include:

    • Your role

    • The timeline

    • The project scope

        Explain:

    • How you identified user needs (for example: research, data analysis, journey mapping)
    • What you changed as a result
    • What impact it had on users or outcomes
               Share what you learned and how that lesson guides your work today.

    If you do not follow the instructions, you may not move forward in this recruitment. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

    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: 5/12/2026

    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:

    Office of Data and Innovation
    CalHR
    Attn: Human Resources Office - Classification and Hiring
    1515 S Street
    North Building, Suite 500
    Sacramento, CA 95811

    Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

    Office of Data and Innovation
    CalHR
    Human Resources Office - Classification and Hiring
    1810 16th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    08:00 AM - 04:00 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.
    • Other - Portfolio of UX design work is required.
    • Other - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions.
    • Other - If you are using education to meet the Minimum Qualifications of the classification, please include your unofficial transcripts. If you are not using education, please bypass this requirement.
    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:
    • Strong experience in human-centered design. This includes journey mapping, prototyping, and user testing for complex digital services and products.
    • Strong visual and interaction design skills. Ability to produce clear, thoughtful, and visually polished interfaces that are ready for engineering implementation.
    • Experience designing products and services. Both digital and physical, with strong attention to visual clarity, layout, hierarchy, and interaction detail.
    • Solid systems thinking and interaction design skills. Ability to design solutions that work across teams, platforms, and channels, with guidance from senior design leadership when needed.
    • Commitment to equity, inclusion, and accessibility in every phase of the design process. Working knowledge of WCAG standards and inclusive research methods.
    • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities. Experience focusing on strategic goals while adapting quickly to new information or direction.
    • Experience designing for AI-enabled or data-informed features. Examples include front-end interfaces for machine-generated content, predictive inputs, or adaptive interactions.
    • Ability to balance user needs with policy requirements. These can include meeting legal, regulatory, and organizational constraints while keeping a human-centered approach.
    • Comfort working in multidisciplinary teams. Collaborators can include product managers, engineers, researchers, content designers, and policy experts.
    • Strong storytelling and communication skills. Ability to explain design rationale, share insights, and get approval among non-design audiences.
    • Experience contributing to design systems. Examples include components and interaction patterns that promote consistency and accessibility.
    • Strong facilitation and collaboration skills. Examples include supporting or leading co-design sessions, critiques, and workshops across levels and disciplines.
    • Curiosity about emerging technologies and how they may shape public services. In particular, how generative AI, automation, and new interaction models might shape user expectations and service delivery.
    • Ability to join projects already in progress. This includes building on existing work and collaborating closely with other designers, including more senior design leaders.

    Benefits

    Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

    Contact Information

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

    Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/
    Human Resources Contact:
    Lisa El Sao
    (916) 909-2819
    lisa.elsao@calhr.ca.gov
    Hiring Unit Contact:
    ODI Talent Team
    (916) 664-7647
    ODI-Talent-Team@innovation.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:
    RA Coordinators
    (916) 327-9143
    RACoordinators@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.

    Additional Application Information

    Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for 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.

    • Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. 
    • U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. 
    Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

    Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

    Examination Information

    Take the online Information Technology Specialist III exam to become list eligible for this position.

    The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page for additional information.

    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