Job Posting: Senior Data Governance Strategist

Office of Data and Innovation

JC-515225
-
Senior Data Governance Strategist
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III

$9,507.00 - $12,740.00 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: 5/5/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Data and Innovation’s CalData Policy and Programs team focuses on statewide policies and programs that directly impact the effectiveness of data teams across the state, including topics such as ethical AI use, data governance, privacy, data standards, evaluation metrics definition, and analysis best practices.  

Under the Assistant Chief Data Officer, the Senior Data Governance Strategist serves as CalData’s senior technical consultant for digital governance implementation and adoption. The incumbent operates with substantial independence and initiative to translate approved statewide governance standards and strategic objectives into practical implementation guidance, reference models, reusable tools, and measurable practices that support departmental adoption. Functioning as a specialized advisor to cross-functional partners and departmental teams, this position provides expert technical consultation, conducts research and analysis, and develops implementation frameworks that strengthen interoperability, data quality, privacy, security, and responsible data use. The work performed has a significant impact on how departments operationalize governance standards and leverage technology effectively, while remaining aligned with established statewide policy and enterprise architectural direction.

Apply if :

  • You are service oriented with a passion for public service
  • You have the head for policy but the heart and the practical instincts of an implementer.
  • You love helping others succeed and learn from your experience
  • You like to ground policy and standards in technical practice
  • You have a bias toward action and continuous improvement with an iterative, product oriented mindset
  • You are passionate about improving the use of data across the state of California

ODI staff reside throughout California. The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento,CA or Oakland, CA. Travel to the Sacramento headquarters may be required as needed. 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.

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-515225
Position #(s):
418-100-1415-900
Working Title:
Senior Data Governance Strategist
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III
$9,507.00 - $12,740.00
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:
United States
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 The California Office of Data and Innovation and is not an E-Verified employer.  
Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

You must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You need to provide direct responses to each of the numbered items. You must include the numbered item followed by your response. Include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. Limit your SOQ to two (2) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

  1. Please describe your experience (including number of years, in what role, and for what employer) engaging in data & analytics governance projects. Highlight some examples and discuss the problem, the digital strategy driving the project, your contribution and the approach, the result, and lessons learned.
  2. Describe your approach to digital governance and strategy. Specifically, how would you apply this methodology when supporting state departments in modernizing their digital systems and data workflows? Please include a concrete example from your past experience to illustrate your answer.
  3. As part of the team’s mission, CalData develops training, guidebooks, and consultation engagements to make sure state departments have access and familiarity with the modern tools and processes they need to excel. What areas of data management, governance, and analytics do you think are most critical and why?
  4. What do you want us to know about you that you are not able to convey in the above 3 prompts?
Note: If you do not follow the instructions, you may not move forward in this recruitment. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

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: 5/5/2026

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: Human Resources Office - Classification and 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
Human Resources Office - Classification and 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 required and must be included.
  • 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:

Technical/Knowledge Skills
• Enterprise data and analytics governance experience, including standards development, implementation planning, and change management
• Experience designing and implementing data models and enterprise data models using standardized modeling tools and best practices
• Experience planning, developing, and maintaining data strategies to support business analysis and performance measurement
• Knowledge of metadata management, lineage, data quality, and master/reference data concepts and tooling
• Experience translating policy and business requirements into technical requirements, reference architectures, and reusable implementation artifacts
• Knowledge of information security and privacy principles for data systems, including access controls and compliance considerations
• Experience evaluating and recommending analytics and data management platforms, including modern cloud data stacks and BI ecosystems
• Experience successfully leading complex, multi-stakeholder technical initiatives and providing strategic/tactical technical direction
• Understanding of responsible data and AI practices, including equity impacts and mitigation strategies

Personal Skills
• Enjoys collaborative processes and building shared understanding across data, IT, security/privacy, and program stakeholders
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
• Analytical and investigative mindset; intellectual curiosity about emerging technologies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical documentation
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies and approaches rapidly
• Demonstrated ability working with diverse groups of stakeholders and facilitating consensus
• Comfort with ambiguity, risk, and iterative delivery
• Ability to work independently and provide technical leadership within a small team
• Commitment to equity and the use of data to meet the needs of all Californians
• Experience mentoring and coaching peers and project teams
• Experience working with different communication styles and navigating conflict constructively

Desirable Qualifications
• Hands-on expertise in BI tools (i.e. Power BI) and enterprise BI governance (data models, enterprise design, deployment pipelines)
• Analytic and engineering scripting skills (SQL, Python, and/or R) and familiarity with version control
• Experience with data catalog, metadata, or data quality tools (or comparable platforms)
• Experience with cloud analytics platforms and modern data engineering patterns (ELT/ETL, orchestration)
• Experience facilitating metric definition and analytics modeling conversations
• Familiarity with agile delivery methods for analytics and data governance, and with security/privacy standards as applied to data systems

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) 664-7341
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) 327-9143
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 Information Technology Specialist III 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