Statewide Chief Data Officer

Job Description & Duties
As the Statewide 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 Operations Strategy

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.

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.

About CalData.
The mission of the Office of the Chief Data Officer, known as CalData, is to empower use of data by ensuring the state has the infrastructure, processes, and people to manage, access, and use data efficiently, effectively, securely, and responsibly. By acting on our mission, we will realize our vision of better decisions, services, and outcomes for Californians through better use of data. Read more about our strategy at

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

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