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GovOps Opens Recruitment for New Agency Information Officer

The recruitment signals some key changes in state technology leadership. Two weeks ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom named Nick Maduros to the role of GovOps secretary, succeeding Amy Tong.

Bird's-eye view of the California state Capitol building.
The Government Operations Agency (GovOps), parent to the California Department of Technology (CDT) and a host of other critical state entities, is recruiting for a new agency information officer (AIO).

The recruitment, posted Monday, is part of some key changes in state government leadership. Two weeks ago, Amy Tong left the GovOps secretary role to assume an advisory position in the governor’s office, and she was succeeded by Nick Maduros, who most recently served as director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

This week’s recruitment is to fill the role most recently held by Ron Robinette, a veteran state government technology leader who was appointed to that role last April. In an interview with Industry Insider — California shortly after being appointed to the AIO role, Robinette explained the essential duties.

“Part of the AIO role is to support and partner with the other departments within the agency,” Robinette said in an email interview. “I want to focus on the innovation part of it. There’s some super-capable CIOs within the agency.”

In another change in state technology leadership, CDT this week named Vera Zakem the state chief technology innovation officer. CDT said Zakem “will lead implementation of statewide technology strategies, methodologies and solutions in collaboration with over 125 departments, agencies, boards, commissions and councils, local governments and higher education.” She most recently worked in USAID, where her title was chief digital democracy and rights officer.

The GovOps AIO role (Career Executive Assignment) oversees IT functions and governance policy development within GovOps and is responsible for “leveraging and coordinating equipment, staffing, telecommunications and technology.” In addition, the AIO plays a key role in “protecting the agency’s information assets” and “adhering to information security and risk management policies.”

The position has a monthly salary range of $11,778-$14,032, and the application deadline is March 24. More information can be found in the job posting and duty statement.
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.