The state’s chief technology innovation officer, Scott Gregory, also served as GIO, but the responsibilities of that position have increased dramatically as the state has embraced geographic information systems (GIS) technology in recent months. The most visible products of that emphasis are the state’s Geoportal and its Open Data Portal.
The new state GIO position (IT Manager II) will manage “the most complex statewide data and GIS programs,” says the job posting on CalCareers.
That will start with building “a dynamic team responsible for the development, maintenance and support of web- and cloud-based technologies and services including the GIS and Data portals,” the announcement says.
“The GIO is also responsible for organizing and leading state communities of practice and supporting strategic data initiatives sponsored by the State Chief Data Officer. The GIO will also outreach and collaborate with the state’s geospatial and data communities to understand critical issues impacting the state and plan, deliver and manage common technology platforms and shared services.”
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed IT veteran Joy Bonaguro to the chief data officer position.
The GIO will work with peers within the Office of Enterprise Technology (OET) and will consult with partners throughout state government on the development and ongoing support of the state’s GIS and data programs.
The new GIO will report to Gregory’s second-in-command, Deputy Chief Technology Innovation Officer Manveer Bola.
In a November interview with Techwire, Gregory discussed the growing importance of GIS and data in virtually every aspect of state government.
“We’re going to see a lion roar,” he said of GIS. “We, the Department of Technology, will leverage a Software-as-a-Service technology provided by Esri to not only stitch the information together, but to bring the information to the user in a way that’s meaningful,” Gregory said in the interview.
Candidates for the new position should have:
• A clear understanding and knowledge of state government and issues critical to the state including climate change, natural disaster, smart growth, infrastructure development and homelessness.
• Proven master-level comprehension of enterprise data platforms and architectures as they relate to the deployment of Web-based solutions.
• An ability to represent and advocate policy and perspective to members of the Legislature, their staff, legislative committee staff, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Finance, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and other individuals involved in the legislative process.
• Proven experience developing and implementing initiatives, standards, policies and best practices for the creation, maintenance and effective application of high-quality, authoritative data and geospatial technology.
The new position has a monthly salary range of $9,262 and $11,258, and the application deadline is Feb. 28.
