Job Posting: Innovation Program Manager

Office of Data and Innovation

JC-511123
-
Innovation Program Manager
SUPERVISOR II

$7,872.00 - $9,781.00 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: 4/9/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Data & Innovation (ODI) is seeking an Innovation Program Manager. You will serve as a member of the Governmental Affairs and Innovation Training team and will manage the operations, strategy, and delivery of CalAcademy, and several strategic programs such as the Governor’s Innovation Fellows, the Innovation Labs, and Engaged California.

What you'll do:

  • Provide ODI-wide Program Oversight and Strategic Leadership
  • Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Efficiencies/Governor’s Innovation Fellows initiatives
  • Provide Project Management and Delivery using ODI’s Product Approach
  • Supervise and support CalAcademy team members in a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment
  • Engage state department leaders, program staff, and community stakeholders to co-create solutions, build shared understanding, and develop champions for innovation and engagement practices
  • Oversee program budgets, contracts, procurements, and grants in partnership with ODI’s administrative and fiscal teams

 

If you are a dynamic leader ready to make a significant impact on our organization and the State of California, we encourage you to apply and help us build a workplace where everyone can thrive.

The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento, CA. Travel may be required as needed to attend meetings, conferences, and/or training classes. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies.

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

ODI encourages people with disabilities to apply for jobs with us. The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) can help people with disabilities get jobs with the State of California. It is an alternative to the regular civil service exam for a job. You explain your knowledge, skills, and abilities through on-the-job testing. Using LEAP is optional. Learn more about LEAP and find available exams on CalHR's LEAP page.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-511123
Position #(s):
418-100-4801-900
Working Title:
Innovation Program Manager
Classification:
SUPERVISOR II
$7,872.00 - $9,781.00
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:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Office of Data and Innovation helps deliver better services to the people of California through technology and design. In close partnership with our colleagues in other state departments, we reimagine and deliver more equitable and effective programs and products. We listen to Californians who use a program now or may do so tomorrow and hear about what they need. We build tools and products, create and enhance digital services, conduct research, identify data solutions and offer training. We are a cross-discipline staff with blended backgrounds in design, engineering, product, operations, data, research, policy and strategy. If you can imagine joining this growing, and inclusive team, please apply!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ODI

Diversity, equity, and inclusion help us deliver better government services to Californians. Fostering diversity inspires better ideas and more innovative thinking. Feeling included nurtures a shared sense of community. This drives us to take collective action on challenging problems. Prioritizing equity ensures we build solutions for people whose needs are often overlooked. We acknowledge our history and present of implicit and structural injustice, bias, and discrimination. We see, hear, and accept each other and the lived experiences we bring to our work. We support each other in learning and developing so we can help all Californians thrive. We understand this work is never done. That’s why we commit to constant improvement.

Please note, CalHR provides contracted Human Resources services for Office of Data and Innovation and is not an E-Verified employer.
Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/

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 two (2) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

1. Describe a time you provided strategic guidance to leadership across multiple programs or initiatives with competing priorities. How did you ensure alignment with department goals, measure success, and adapt based on feedback or changing conditions?

2. This role oversees the development and evolution of curricula related to data, human-centered design, and technology. Describe your experience designing or managing learning programs for adult learners. How did you define learning outcomes, assess effectiveness, and continuously improve the curriculum?

3. ODI uses a product approach to projects grounded in equity and human-centered design. Describe a project you led that followed a discovery-to-delivery lifecycle. How did you incorporate user research, equity considerations, and measurable outcomes into the project, and what was the impact?

4. Describe your experience leading and developing cross-functional teams while also managing complex stakeholder relationships. How have you supported staff and colleagues, addressed resistance to change, and built trust with partners to advance innovation or transformation efforts?

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: 4/9/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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 & Hiring
1515 S Street
North Building, Suite 500
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 & Hiring
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
08:00 AM - 04:00 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.
  • Other - If you are using education to meet the Minimum Qualifications of the classification, please include your unofficial transcripts. If you are not using education, please bypass this requirement.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Special Requirements section for 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.

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:


We encourage you to apply regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of the desirable qualifications.

  • Knowledge of or experience working within state government operations, including compliance with statutes, policies, and data governance standards
  • Product and project management experience, including leading discovery, research, design, prototyping, and delivery using iterative, user-centered methods
  • Experience developing and managing curricula for adult learners, including instructional design, learning outcomes, assessment tools, and continuous improvement processes
  • Experience overseeing fellowship programs or cohort-based training initiatives, including concurrent projects with defined scope, timelines, and budgets
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including coaching and workload refinement
  • Experience facilitating workshops, trainings, or public-facing sessions for diverse audiences
  • Demonstrated experience providing program-wide strategic leadership in a complex public-sector or mission-driven organization
  • Demonstrated success applying equity-centered, human-centered design frameworks to program or service delivery
  • Demonstrated skill in mentoring staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and learning-oriented team culture
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and change management skills, including working with state leaders, program staff, and community partners
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing briefings, reports, and materials for executive and external audiences
  • Proven ability to design, oversee, and evolve multi-program portfolios, particularly in innovation, engagement, data, design, or technology initiatives
  • Ability to develop program roadmaps, success metrics, and feedback loops, and to use data to inform decision-making and program refinement
  • Ability to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, researchers, and civic engagement partners

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:
Lisa El Sao
(916) 909-2819
lisa.elsao@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.

Examination Information

Take the online Supervisor II exam to become list eligible for this position.

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page for additional information.

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