Chief Data Officer

As the Chief Data Officer, you’ll guide data practices within the state. Your goal is to improve government data use. You’ll develop and steer California’s data strategy. You’ll champion the use of data. You’ll work to ensure the state has the infrastructure, processes, and people to manage, access, and use data in an ethical, effective, secure, and responsible manner that respects privacy.

You’ll manage CalData’s three teams:

• Advanced Analytics and Evaluation
• Programs and Policy
• Data Services and Engineering

14 staff support the statewide data strategy implementation. They are thoughtful, hardworking, and data enthusiasts. You’ll empower staff to deliver on statewide data initiatives and projects. You’ll inspire, coach, and support your team and communicate a clear vision and strategy to get there.

Location: The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento, CA or Oakland, CA. Travel to the Sacramento headquarters and Oakland will be required. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies.

Annual salary: $175,896 – $190,236 based on experience and qualifications

Benefits: The state offers many benefits, including pension, health benefits (including after retirement), life insurance, employee assistance program, and much more.

Appointment: This position is appointed by the Governor of California.

Last day to apply: Open until filled. First application review begins November 15, 2023.

What you’ll do

• Work closely with state departments and agencies, external entities, and international jurisdictions to act on the California statewide data strategy per the role’s authorizing legislation
• Work with agencies and departments to improve the quality, use, and sharing of data
• Take part in federal data policy for it to align with statewide strategy. Address structural barriers best solved at the federal level
• Support the CalData team to deliver on Data and Innovation Fund projects across its 3 services: the data science accelerator, analytics accelerator, and modern data stack accelerator
• Provide expert guidance and consultation to major data policy and program initiatives
• Develop and manage partnerships and key stakeholders to advance data use for decision-making

About you

• You have vision.
• You are strategic and love turning strategy into action.
• You enjoy empowering a team of thoughtful data professionals. You like inspiring and supporting great work.
• You can deliver projects and produce results.
• You translate complex, messy data into understandable information.
• You understand the value of effective data storytelling.
• You enjoy working across entities to coordinate and align work. 
• You thrive on managing complex meeting dynamics and stakeholder relationships. 
• You always remember the people underlying the data and approach with empathy. 
• You are passionate about improving the use of data across the state of California.

Desirable Qualifications

We encourage you to apply regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of the desirable qualifications.

Personal Skills

• Enjoys collaborative processes and developing shared understanding
• Ability to communicate with technical and non-technical audiences
• Investigative ability and intellectual curiosity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to learn and embrace new technologies
• Ability to lead across many teams, programs, and work streams
• Demonstrated ability working with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Comfort with risk and trying new things
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team
• Commitment to equity and the use of data to meet the needs of all Californians

Technical/Knowledge Skills

• General understanding of statistical analysis techniques, data mining, and predictive modeling
• Familiar with data governance frameworks, data privacy regulations, and data protection practices
• General understanding of data engineering practices, ETL processes, data integration methodologies, and data pipeline management
• Understands data architecture principles, including data modeling, database design, data integration, and data warehousing concepts
• Understands ethical considerations related to data usage, bias in algorithms, and responsible AI practices

About ODI

We deliver better services to Californians through technology and design. We do so through close partnership with other state departments. Our goal is to create programs and products that are more equitable and effective. We listen to Californians who use a program now or may do so tomorrow and learn about what they need.

We:

• Build tools and products
• Create and enhance digital services
• Conduct research
• Identify data solutions
• Offer training

We are a cross-discipline staff with blended backgrounds in:

• Design
• Engineering
• Product
• Operations
• Data
• Research
• Policy
• Strategy

Learn more about ODI’s vision and mission.

About CalData division

CalData uses data to deliver better decisions, services, and outcomes for Californians.

As the central data team for the state, we empower people to use data. We build infrastructure, develop processes, and train people to better manage and use data. We want the state’s data use to be:

• Efficient
• Effective
• Secure
• Responsible

To help state departments use data well, we created California’s Data Strategy. We use a road analogy to illustrate the strategy. We must:

• Build data roads
• Craft rules of the road
• Boost the drivers

Read the full strategy in Google Doc or PDF.

More details about CalData, our positions, and how we work are available in our Gitbook.

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.

https://innovation.ca.gov/join-us/chief-data-officer/