Since May 2025, the role has been held in an acting capacity by Dara Wheeler, who had been serving as the department’s chief of research, innovation and system information since January 2018.
In a LinkedIn post about the opening, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Deputy Secretary Marcie Kahbody said the department is looking for a “visionary leader who will drive the department’s enterprise data strategy and accelerate the responsible use of artificial intelligence.” CalSTA is the umbrella agency over Caltrans, California High-Speed Rail, the Department of Motor Vehicles and others.
Caltrans has been at the forefront of the state’s use of generative AI, as one of four departments tapped to pilot real-world use cases as part of a 2024 executive order. That work saw the department partner with Accenture and Deloitte to investigate roadway injuries and fatalities as well as identify risky areas that endanger vulnerable roadway users.
Wheeler said in a LinkedIn post that “It's been a highlight of my workforce journey, and I highly recommend you check out the job advertisement, and consider applying if you enjoy working in the exciting world where data and AI intersect!”
Details about the open position are available below.
California Department of Transportation
Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer
$13,472-$15,297 per month
Application deadline: Oct. 16
The incumbent will be responsible for the development and implementation of the policies, strategies and operations around enterprise data management, analytics, data governance, digital transformation, and will be responsible for the ethical use of AI, according to the posting.
The policies created under this role will, according to the job posting, “affect Caltrans employees, transportation stakeholders and every person that uses the California State transportation system,” and goes on to say that “appropriate policies are critical for the appropriate use and interpretation of data analytics and AI-generated information.”
This role reports to the chief deputy director and works in conjunction with the department’s chief information officer.
Desirable qualifications include:
- Academic coursework at the university level; training and experience in the area of supervision and management principles
- Ability to reason logically and creatively
- Ability to develop and maintain a level of professional integrity to ensure that the best interests of Caltrans and the program are served
- Ability to work well with partners and clients
