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Department Recruiting for Hybrid CIO/Deputy Director Position

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking an executive to oversee the Data and Technology Division and to advise top executives on IT policy and implementation.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is recruiting for a key position — a hybrid role encompassing the duties of chief information officer (CIO), geographic information officer (GIO) and deputy director of the department’s Data and Technology Division.

The CIO (Career Executive Assignment) “has a significant role in setting CDFW policy and setting priorities for all IT activities on a department-wide basis,” the job posting says. The incumbent will also advise the director and the leadership team on policies and objectives related to software, equipment, staffing and budgets. In addition, the CIO oversees development and implementation of IT policies and plans, and maintains CDFW “as a leader in geospatial data development and analysis to manage California’s threatened and endangered species, habitat conservation planning, and biodiversity protection and restoration.”

Additional responsibilities of the position, according to the posting and the duty statement, include:
  • Work with other state, federal and local government agencies, private organizations and constituent groups to develop and implement CDFW’s conservation policies and programs.
  • Represent CDFW on high-level task forces and committees with the Governor’s Office, the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Fish and Game Commission.
  • Work with CDFW program managers to develop wildlife and habitat data to ensure that departmental policies, proposed regulations and activities are compatible with overall CDFW goals.
  • Manage CDFW programs within fiscal resources and develop strategies to improve budget efficiency and alternative funding sources.
  • Serve in the absence of the director or chief deputy director to handle policy decisions and administrative operations.

Desirable qualifications for the position include:
  • Demonstrated ability in fostering leadership and creating an atmosphere in a professional environment of collaboration and performance. Ability to lead multiple complex emerging issues and program areas simultaneously.
  • Knowledge of current IT industry and practices and security, methods, trends and best practices of computer database systems and computerized geographic information systems (GIS) and their application to natural resources conservation analysis and decision-making.
  • Knowledge of California’s environmental laws and regulations; ecosystem methodologies; multi-species conservation planning and management; and fish and wildlife programs including hunting and fishing regulations.
  • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with a variety of public, private, local, state, tribal and federal government entities and stakeholders involved with fish and wildlife issues.

The position has a monthly salary range of $7,781 to $18,310, and the application deadline is Feb. 13.
Dennis Noone is Executive Editor of Industry Insider. He is a career journalist, having worked at small-town newspapers and major metropolitan dailies including USA Today in Washington, D.C.