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Agencies Recruiting for IT Executive, Manager, Data Scientist Roles

Six key state departments are seeking managers and specialists for oversight roles. Three of these are branch chief recruitments within one department.

State and local governments are recruiting for a host of senior-level technologist positions.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is seeking a chief innovation officer (IT manager II) to manage “the most complex department-wide Research/Development-Innovation and data-related activities.” The position would encompass the duties of “Research Development Innovation/Geographic Information Officer,” according to the job posting and the duty statement.

“The role also has significant responsibility over CAL FIRE’s data management planning, strategy, and implementation,” the duty statement notes. “Specifically, this includes collaboration with internal/external research partners, planning, administering, and implementing research engagements, (and) implementation of research findings and results into organizational practice.” Goals include “increased data access and sharing; reduced data duplication and costs; development of department-wide data standards; centers of excellence; public outreach; and increased collaboration.”

The position, which reports to CAL FIRE’s deputy director for technology, has a monthly salary range of $10,167 to $12,359, and the application deadline is Feb. 14.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is recruiting for a geospatial data scientist (IT specialist III) to develop and apply methods “to identify, collect, process and analyze large volumes of data to build and enhance products, processes, and systems for emergency management,” according to the job posting.

“The incumbent will work in a dynamic environment to deliver interoperable department solutions,” the posting says. The geospatial data scientist “will conduct data mining and retrieval and apply statistical and mathematical analyses to identify trends, solve analytical problems, develop predictive models, and create visualizations that anyone can use.” The incumbent will use programming, statistics and visualization applications to glean insights from large and disparate data sources. “The incumbent requires expert-level knowledge and hands-on experience in data science. Performing in a leadership role on the Data and Geospatial team, the incumbent will work with architects, engineers, and GIS analysts to deliver complex algorithms, explanatory and predictive models, and visualizations to assist disaster preparedness, response and recovery.”

More details about the responsibilities and desirable qualifications are available in the job posting and duty statement. The position has a monthly salary range of $8,488 to $11,375, and the application deadline is Feb. 14.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is seeking a chief (IT manager I) for the Project Management Office, one of three PMO managers within the Planning and Project Management Branch (PPMB). The chief “directs several project managers in planning, initiation, management and governance for many of the department’s IT projects in support of program business goals and objectives,” the job posting states.

The chief “is responsible for enterprise-wide IT project planning and oversight activities including working closely with the PPMB chief on IT Portfolio Planning, contract and vendor management, risk management, Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) development, legislative bill analysis, budget change proposal (BCP) review and alignment with fiscal documents, formal IT project oversight, and control agency collaborating and reporting,” the posting says.

More details about the duties of the job and desirable qualifications for applicants are available in the job posting and the duty statement. The position has a monthly salary range of $8,381 to $11,231, and the application deadline is Feb. 16.

The California Department of Justice is recruiting for an enterprise application architect (IT specialist III) to serve as an expert adviser and technical expert within the Division of Law Enforcement Systems Branch “to drive the organization’s application development towards an enterprise standards-based architecture that enables technology to efficiently and effectively respond to changing business needs,” according to the job posting.

The architect “performs effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities,” the posting says. The incumbent applies knowledge of IT governance principles and practices to establish and maintain project priorities and applies federal, state, departmental and organizational policies and procedures to state IT operations. Applicants should have expert knowledge of the software development life cycle and secure application programming practices; and should have experience as a DevOps practitioner and in designing “high-transactional, n-tier systems.” In addition, candidates should have working knowledge of container and container orchestration and experience in cloud application deployment.

More details are available in the job posting and duty statement. The position has a monthly salary range of $8,488 to $11,375, and the application deadline is Feb. 16.

The California Department of Technology is recruiting for a manager (IT manager I) of the Operations Center Section, responsible for oversight and operations of the Operations Center and providing customers with a 24/7/365 single point of contact for service management.

The manager will oversee all Operations Center business functions including Statewide Directory Services, Service Desk Level 1 and 2, and the Command Center. The manager is responsible for their section’s participation in and execution of processes including incident management, change management, problem management, request fulfillment and knowledge management, according to the job posting and duty statement.

The position has a monthly salary range of $8,381 to $11,231, and the application deadline is Feb. 22.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) is recruiting for three branch chief roles, all classified as IT manager II level positions, to oversee branches in the department. The three vacancies all have a monthly salary range of $10,167 to $12,359, and the recruitments will continue until the positions are filled. The positions are:
  • Chief of the Application and Data Services Branch, who will be “directly responsible for policy development, technical implementation, maintenance and support of the department’s application and data architecture,” according to the job posting. “This includes issues related to design and development, technical integration, implementation, project management and ongoing support and modification” of CDTFA’s information systems.“The Application and Data Services manager is responsible for ensuring that the branch’s technical teams are providing quality service to meet the department’s business objectives through appropriate and cost-effective application of technology. The incumbent also advises CDTFA leadership on technology policies and issues. More details are available in the duty statement.
  • Chief of the Centralized Revenue Opportunity System (CROS) branch, who will work with “business owners, process users, various leadership and risk groups to ensure all aspects of the Solution Request (SQR) lifecycle are completed,” according to the job posting. “The incumbent ensures CDTFA business vision, goals, objectives, policies and procedures are reflected in SQR requirements and in alignment with CDTFA’s standards and strategic directives. The incumbent works with CROS vendors to oversee contractor workload, monitor performance and authorize invoicing.” The chief also participates in activities related to CROS with external stakeholders, including but not limited to state control agencies, the Legislature and statewide organizations on matters concerning CROS. More details can be found in the duty statement.
  • Chief of the IT Operations Branch, who will be responsible for IT Service Management (ITSM) processes and IT Support and for assisting in policy development, technical implementation, maintenance and support related to CDTFA’s IT operations. The branch chief represents CDTFA on multiple departmental, statewide and federal policy formulating committees and advises CDTFA management on such policies and issues impacting the department’s IT priorities and in all matters relating to the integration of business processes with appropriate technology solutions. More information can be found in the job posting and the duty statement.
Dennis Noone is Executive Editor of Industry Insider. He is a career journalist, having worked at small-town newspapers and major metropolitan dailies including USA Today in Washington, D.C.