Job Posting: Head of Design

Office of Data and Innovation

JC-479318
-
Head of Design
C. E. A.

$11,778.00 - $14,032.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 6/10/2025

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) is looking for a Head of Design who is passionate about making government work better for residents and who is curious, creative, and excited about creating the best possible user experience for Californians.

 

You will lead ODI’s Design Team, including visual design, service design, UX design, digital accessibility, and content design. Our team is committed to help make the California state government work better for the people it serves. You'll bring intention to our work, you’ll help inform our focus on people and the end user, be they state staff or residents. You're a leader who will create a collaborative, supportive, and encouraging work environment. You value empathy towards everyone, including the public, co-workers, and partners across government.

 

You’ll establish team norms and rituals, like design critiques and retros. You’ll lead the development of templates, standards, and guidelines. You’ll contribute to the California Design System and to CalAcademy training programs.

 

You're an expert practitioner of human-centered design. You'll look at people, policy, and product with a goal to uncover the “why” behind the “what.” You’ll commit to making what ODI designs and builds fully accessible to the people we serve, using plain language and other tools. You'll show state partners how human-centered design is essential, effective, and doable.

  

Need help understanding the hiring process or have questions about ODI? We'd love to talk to you! Before applying, read through our step by step instructions to apply, or contact us at odi-talent-team@innovation.ca.gov. Please include the position title in the subject line.

 

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ should not exceed four pages, single spaced, and Arial 12-point font size. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered a response to the SOQ. Applications submitted without an SOQ will be excluded from consideration.

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

Working Conditions

This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies. ODI is currently operating in a hybrid work environment with staff reporting to the office 4 days a week to either Sacramento HQ or our Oakland Hub. 

 

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-479318
Position #(s):
418-100-7500-005
Working Title:
Head of Design
Classification:
C. E. A.
$11,778.00 - $14,032.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Special Requirements

All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Applicants must number and include the full text of the SOQ items in their response. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. SOQs should be limited to a maximum of four (4) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.


How has your leadership experience, design philosophy, and commitment to accessibility and inclusive design prepared you to serve as Head of Design?

 

In your response, please include:

  • Examples of leading multidisciplinary design teams and shaping design strategy.
  • How you’ve embedded user-centered and accessible design practices into your work.
  • Your approach to visual and interactive design — including how you deliver high-quality, consistent, and engaging user experiences.
  • Experience collaborating across functions (e.g., product, engineering, executive leadership).
  • Your approach to mentoring and growing diverse design teams.
  • Highlights from your portfolio that demonstrate strategic impact, innovation, and excellence in visual and inclusive design.

Your statement should reflect your ability to lead with vision, drive meaningful outcomes, and advocate for design that is both aesthetic and equitable.


Note: Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see our Work4CA guide.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 6/10/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Office of Data and Innovation
CalHR
Attn: Classification and Hiring
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Office of Data and Innovation
CalHR
Classification and Hiring
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions.
  • Other -
    A cover letter is required and must be included.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  • Experience leading coordinated efforts across multiple program areas in an organization
  • Ability to foster a big picture perspective at both the staff and executive levels
  • Ability to independently identify, manage, and make sound decisions on complex and sensitive  design and accessibility issues
  • Ability to recognize and value the importance of a human-centered organization that values the role of all internal and external customers
  • Ability to apply innovative problem solving to create new ideas and develop new approaches to achieve an organization's mission and goals
  • Ability to foster and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners by applying design leadership practices
  • Experience planning, developing, and implementing policies for digital services and products
  • Experience establishing design standards with a focus on visual design, accessibility, and plain language.
  • Experience with strategic planning, resource management, and program design and delivery
  • Ability to consult directly with clients as a principal  designer to influence project planning, research, service delivery, and interaction architecture

    Examination Information

    If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

    A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

    The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

    Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

    The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

    Special Testing Arrangements

    If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

    Benefits

    Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

    Contact Information

    The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

    Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/
    Human Resources Contact:
    Alexandra Scheuer
    (916) 658-3177
    Alexa.Scheuer@calhr.ca.gov
    Hiring Unit Contact:
    ODI Talent Team
    (916) 398-5858
    odi-talent-team@innovation.ca.gov

    Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

    EEO Contact:
    RA Coordinators
    (916) 322-6997
    RACoordinators@calhr.ca.gov
    California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

    Additional Application Information

    Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

    • Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. 
    • U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. 
    Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

    Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

    It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

    Application Methods:
    Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
    By Mail
    Drop-off
    Print Job