Job Posting: Chief Technology Innovation Officer

CA High Speed Rail Authority

JC-482488
-
Chief Technology Innovation Officer
C. E. A.

$11,778.00 - $14,032.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 7/11/2025

Job Description and Duties

This position is pending Department of Finance (DOF) approval which will be required prior to appointment. 

Under the general direction of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), the Chief Technology Innovation Officer (CTIO) is responsible for establishing and implementing policies and standards for the adoption of highly specialized operational technologies and for overseeing the development of the architectural frameworks required for the integration of those technologies with each other and with the information technology that supports key business applications, where applicable. The incumbent engages with subject matter experts for insight into the operations and advancements of high-speed rail systems in other countries, responds to internal program leadership needs for technology solutions, and provides leadership and direction of the operations and personnel of the Data & Digital Integration and Solutions Delivery Branches of the IT Office.

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

Working Conditions

This position works primarily in the office, but limited telework may be available for California residents.

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-482488
Position #(s):
311-400-7500-001
Working Title:
Chief Technology Innovation Officer
Classification:
C. E. A.
$11,778.00 - $14,032.00 B Please note, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has the delegated authority to negotiate salaries for this Career Executive Appointment within this range. Please disregard the new to state language noted below.
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

Are you looking for a different type of state government job? Something with a little more excitement and a more fast-paced and fluid environment? How about an opportunity to be a part of one of the most remarkable transportation projects in California's history?The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a small and dynamic state agency that is looking for employees who are interested in a challenging rewarding job opportunity.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. Completing this survey is not required to be considered for this vacancy. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCM6SCC
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than three (3) pages long, single-spaced, with one-inch margins, in 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all the following items:

  1. Describe your experience developing strategic and tactical plans to support the delivery and operations of a diverse technical portfolio. Provide an example of a plan that provided significant benefit to the business or organization.
  2. Describe and provide examples of your experience working across organizational units to identify and implement business process improvements through technology solutions. Describe the benefits achieved.
  3. Describe and provide examples of your leadership experience, including techniques or approach to developing and motivating teams; facilitating organizational change; guiding process and performance improvements; and establishing goals/objectives and managing progress through to completion.
  4. Building technical capacity through workforce development, strategic hiring, optimization of resources, and external sources is crucial to meeting the evolving needs of the organization. Describe your approach to resource planning, staff development, and use of external support/expertise to achieve business results.
  5. Describe and provide examples of large, complex IT projects that you have directed. Include the scope and technology and your engagement with the project sponsor(s). What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
Applications received without the SOQ may not be considered. A resume is required but does not take the of the SOQ.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.

For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to Human Resources contact below.

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: 7/11/2025

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:

CA High Speed Rail Authority
High Speed Rail Authority
Attn: Human Resources
770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

CA High Speed Rail Authority
High Speed Rail Authority
Human Resources
770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4
Sacramento, CA 95814
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see the above "Special Requirements" section for SOQ instructions.
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:

Please see attached duty statement for the knowledge and abilities.

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:
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in an information technology related field of study.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience delivering complex technical solutions in a fast paced organization.
  • Knowledge of personnel policies, practices, and trends.
  • Experience developing strategic plans and technology roadmaps.
  • Experience with policy and procedure development, implementation, and compliance.
  • Experience directing and motivating staff.
  • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all levels of staff, management, and vendor partners; communicate effectively with executive leadership, peers, end users, technical staff and partners, oversight agencies and other stakeholders.
  • Ability to meet business needs through innovative solutions and demonstrate a service oriented, customer relations-sensitive attitude.
  • Ability to manage multiple high priority initiatives in a fast-paced achievement-oriented environment and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive tasks, assignments, and information.
  • Ability to prepare or direct the preparation of clear and concise documentation (e.g., technical/architectural diagrams, processes and procedures, plans, etc.).
  • Display commitment to continuous learning; willingness to challenge traditional practices; and be naturally curious and capable of creative problem solving.

Examination Information

The examination will consist of a review of each applicant’s application and Statement of Qualifications. A rating panel will rate the applications and Statement of Qualifications based on the identified desirable qualifications for the position and the competitive nature of each candidate’s relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Therefore, it is critical that each applicant include specific information on how their experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities meet the desirable qualifications for the position.

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

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options. 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 position or application process.

Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources
(916) 669-6606
Recruitment@hsr.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:
EEO Office
(916) 324-1541
eeo@hsr.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.

Application Information

The STD. 678 is required and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of 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.

If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-482488 and Chief Technology Innovation Officer, 311-400-7500-001 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position.

Location

The High-Speed Rail Authority headquarters building is located in downtown Sacramento on the corner of 8th and L Street. We are located one block away from the 8th and Capitol light rail stop,as well as the 7th and Capitol light rail stop. The building is also within walking distance of DOCO, the California State Capitol Park, a farmer’s market during summer months, and Old Sacramento.

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