Gass, according to the sources, will succeed Gail Overhouse, an award-winning executive who led IT operations for EDD as deputy director and CIO until her retirement.
The return to EDD would be a homecoming of sorts for Gass, who started her career with the department in 1999 as an IT professional. From EDD, Gass then served in a variety of increasingly responsible roles with the state Franchise Tax Board, the California Energy Commission and the California Conservation Corps before being named CIO for the Secretary of State’s Office in June 2016.
Gass was the presenter for a Techwire briefing in September 2018, just before the midterm elections. During her tenure, the department added Cruz Nieto as chief technology officer and Joe White as chief risk officer.
In the recruitment for the CIO role in the Secretary of State’s Office, the CalCareers job posting notes that the position is a Career Executive Assignment, and the incumbent will report to the deputy secretary of state for operations. The position includes the following areas of responsibility:
- Statewide automation activities and through subordinate managers, plans, organizes, and directs the operation of complex data processing, automation development and management information programs.
- Develops and recommends policies on automated systems development and maintenance and is responsible for the monitoring, evaluation and modification of these programs.
- Represents the Secretary of State in legislative and other committees on automation, data collection/interpretation and information technology issues.
- Advises program managers in program planning by providing specific expertise on automation options and their impact.
- Provides comparative analyses and trend projects and advises on their appropriate interpretation for decision-making.
- Serves as a key policy adviser in relation to automation issues and participates in the development of overall departmental policies.
- Acts as a liaison with county officials on the collection and reporting of state election information.
- Develops and implements departmental automated technology to provide superior client services and contain costs through operating efficiencies.
The Information Technology Division (ITD) supports the business requirements of the Secretary of State by planning, developing, implementing and maintaining innovative and effective business and information systems in active partnership with the agency program divisions, vendors, and other agencies.
The position has a monthly salary range of $10,360 to $12,341, and the application deadline is April 17.
Separately, EDD is recruiting for a Deputy Director to oversee the Policy, Accountability and Compliance Branch. The incumbent “provides guidance and policy direction to ensure the EDD’s programs are protected from fraud, waste, and abuse; detects breaches of the internal controls; and ensures that deficiencies in safeguards are corrected,” the job posting says. “The incumbent has full responsibility for the oversight and technical assistance activities of the Audit and Evaluation Division, the Investigation Division, and the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Office. The incumbent is a key adviser to the Directorate for policy decisions and serves as a member of the Executive Staff.”
The job description includes a requirement that candidates have an “ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships on behalf of the Department with executive levels of industry, U.S. Department of Labor, control agencies, Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Legislature, federal agencies, and the vendor community.”
In addition, it sets the following criteria:
- Knowledge of both state and federal funding procedures, including experience developing state budget proposals.
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge in developing legislative analyses, support and opposition letters, recommending legislative positions, testifying at committee hearings, and representing the department before members of the Legislature and/or their staff.
