Information Technology Specialist II - Sacramento, United States - California State Controller's Office

Description

Scope of Position:

Duties and Responsibilities:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

Provide overall direction to matrixed project teams throughout the project management lifecycle phases to complete projects ensuring consistency with SCO strategy and goals following State and/or SCO project management policies, processes, standards and procedures. Using expertise, adapt the lifecycle activities according to project need and determine appropriate methodology. Matrixed team members may include SCO Program subject matter experts (SME), IT business analysts, software developers/architects, database administrators, network engineers, information security specialists, procurement specialists and external vendors.

Lead matrixed project teams to achieve the scope, goals and deliverables of the project. Perform technical analysis and provide direction and support to the project team in developing tasks or deliverables. Prepare and deliver presentations and facilitate working sessions as necessary to build the team and ensure effective communications are taking place.

Monitor and evaluate project progress, milestones and deliverables using appropriate project management tools MS Project, various project templates and forms, and SCO's MERIT system). Identify and document risks and risk mitigation plans, facilitate and drive risk and issue resolution to keep the project on scope, schedule and budget. Manage the project schedule and update project plans, as needed, ensuring proper change control is taking place to provide the project artifacts for oversight, audit and historical reference. Provide guidance or recommendations as needed on quality control and assurance activities taking place in the development lifecycle, including future maintenance and operation needs. Ensure SCO project efforts are consistent with SCO's IT strategic direction for enterprise architecture and the technical infrastructure.

Work with contracts, budget and project staff to plan and conduct procurement activities including but not limited to: development of RFx and Statement/Scope of Work (SOW) documents, solicitation plans, evaluation criteria and participation in vendor evaluation and selection. Develop and execute contract and vendor management plans. Collaborate with the vendor to refine the overall project strategy and plans, updating as needed.

Track and monitor project team and contractor deliverables. Review, evaluate and/or facilitate evaluation of project team and contractor deliverables ensuring the project/contract requirements are satisfied and quality products are created/received. Provide approval for vendor payments and manage project expenditures and budget. Develop and execute a transition plan to ensure that knowledge transfer and training of state staff is completed and maintenance and operations can be properly supported.

Prepare and/or produce Financial Analysis Worksheets (FAW), Budget Change Proposals (BCP), Spring Finance Letters (SFL), and/or Special Project Reports (SPR) as needed to address funding and project changes. Collaborate with budgets, contracts, business and IT staff to gather needed information and conduct reviews. Coordinate communication with Executive levels, as well as Department of Technology and Department of Finance to provide necessary information and gain approvals to continue the project.

Gather and disseminate appropriate project information to multi-level stakeholders, from executive level, external stakeholders, control agencies, business partners, contractors, and management and project team members. Prepare and present project status reports, facilitate and drive risk and issue resolution, and manage and communicate changes to the project to achieve the expected outcomes.

Collaborate with the business staff and potential stakeholders, including the vendor, to gather information for input to the post implementation evaluation. Follow departmental and/or State processes to perform project closing activities. As applicable, produce the Post Implementation Evaluation Report (PIER) and support any questions from control agencies and/or legislature. Ensure SCO project efforts are consistent with SCO's IT strategic direction by staying current on SCO's direction for enterprise architecture and the technical infrastructure.

Develop SCO project management governance, guidelines and standards in coordination with PMO leadership and staff. Perform impact analysis, recommend and implement revisions related to changes identified in the State's IT standards, policies, instructions, processes and guidelines as addressed in SAM, SIMM, CA-PMF, Management Memos and annual Budget Letters. Follow and implement processes and procedures necessary to maintain PMO operations. Assist in maintaining updates to PMO's SharePoint site and libraries. Develop or conduct learning sessions to inform PMO team of changes or emerging trends.

Lead or participate in cross-functional teams performing activities in support of organizational initiatives that align with the SCO and ISD Strategic Plans. Provide advice or guidance as applicable in areas of expertise related to IT governance, requirements analysis and documentation, system design, development, testing, integration, and implementation of IT systems.

Provide planning support for research and development efforts or analysis conducted by Program or ISD business analyst team regarding business process improvement proposals that are supported by IT or needed to improve project performance.

Maintain awareness of trends and knowledge in information technology, systems development lifecycle and project management methods, best practices and tools. Identify opportunities to innovate and improve SCO practices or tools. Lead projects or participate in activities to identify, procure and implement new project or portfolio management tools.

Provide consulting support to SCO programs on project management best practices. As needed, acquaint them with activities related to IT projects, such as requirements analysis and documentation, system design, development, testing, integration and implementation of IT systems. On a case-by-case basis, conduct training or provide recommendations on project management training content or vendors. Collaborate with ISD leadership team and manage relationships with SCO division business customers to ensure needs are aligned with PMO services and the project portfolio.

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, hair style and texture, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. Rev. 01/2023