State of California
Senior User Experience Designer Job at State of California in Sacramento
State of California, Sacramento, CA, US, 95828
Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding virtual interviews beginning the week of October 6, 2025. We look forward to meeting with you!
Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.
Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.
The Senior User Experience (UX) Designer role at CalPERS offers an exciting opportunity to shape human-centered digital experiences that serve millions of users. In this position, you'll lead the design of intuitive, user-focused solutions for complex workflows, ensuring they align with CalPERS' mission and deliver real value to the people who rely on its services.
As a contributor, you'll champion human-centered design principals, collaborate closely with stakeholders, and work alongside a fun, dynamic, and collaborative team of designers and researchers. Together, you'll tackle complex challenges and deliver innovative, high-quality digital products in a supportive and engaging environment where creativity thrives and user empathy are at the forefront.
If you're passionate about simplifying complexity, creating user-centered solutions, and working with a team that values collaboration and forward-thinking design, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a positive and inspiring workplace.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-490646
Position #(s):
275-811-1402-090
Working Title:
Senior User Experience Designer
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST I $6,513.00 - $8,729.00 A
$7,163.00 - $9,599.00 B
$7,864.00 - $10,537.00 C
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation's largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we're committed to people - the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website !
To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video .
Special Requirements Statement of Qualifications
Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager's review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.
The SOQ must be typed, titled "Statement of Qualifications," and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length and must have Size 12, Arial Font.
1. Describe the most complex UX and web interface design project you've worked on, including your role:
- A. What were the goals of the project? Provide an overview of the project's objectives, including the specific user needs, business goals, and any technical or organizational requirements that needed to be addressed.
- B. How did the design solution address these goals? Explain how your design approach aligned with the project's goals. Highlight specific strategies, methodologies, or processes you used to create a solution that met user needs and achieved the desired outcomes.
- C. What tools did you use? List the tools, software, or platforms you utilized throughout the project. This might include design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch), prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD), research tools (e.g., UserTesting, Optimal Workshop), or collaboration platforms (e.g., Miro, Jira).
- D. What were the most significant challenges, and how did you overcome them? Identify the key challenges you faced during the project, such as technical constraints, stakeholder alignment, or user adoption issues. Describe the steps you took to address these challenges and ensure the project's success. Focus on problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."
Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR's CalCareers website .
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: 9/12/2025
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. 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:
Public Employees Retirement System
Postal
Attn: JC-490646/BT
Human Resources Division, Recruitment
P. O. Box 942718
Sacramento , CA 94229-2718
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Public Employees Retirement System
Drop-Off
HRSD, SSU JC-490646/BT
400 Q Street, Lincoln Plaza North
1st floor drop box by security desk
Sacramento , CA 95811
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 - In addition to completing your online job application, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager's review. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered.
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:
- Excellent direct experience in user experience design, usability research, and testing.
- Well-versed managing multiple projects, setting stakeholder expectations, working individually and collaborating across teams.
- Ability to present design strategy to all levels of management, including executives, peers, and external stakeholders.
- Experience in digital web accessibility as defined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Benefits CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.
Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:
- Alternate Work Schedules
- Flexible Work Hours
- Onsite childcare facility
- Onsite fitness center
- Onsite café and nearby restaurants
- Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays, subject to change
- Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources Contact:
HRSD Selection Services
(916) 795-2444
recruitment@calpers.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:
CalPERS EEO
(916) 795-3675
EEO@calpers.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 Information
Live Scan
Candidates not currently employed at CalPERS are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
CalPERS Disclosure Requirements
If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)
Please do not include any confidential information on any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver's license, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP status.
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.