“As the CIO, you will use your extensive knowledge of IT to oversee the development and implementation of IT policies, standards, and practices for the department,” the job posting says. “Your expertise and leadership … will help us achieve our vision to discover technological innovation that serves Californians’ needs.”
Amy Tong, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, discussed the need for her agency to keep transformation moving forward and to cultivate an innovative culture, in remarks that opened day two of the California Public Sector CIO Academy.
In a new budget change proposal, the Government Operations Agency reveals its plan to merge the Office of Digital Innovation, the Government Excellence and Transformation Center, and the CalData Program into one entity, the Office of Data and Innovation – and how each would function and be staffed.
Entities seeking candidates for leadership roles include the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the Employment Development Department, and the Office of Digital Innovation.
“We will call the merged office the Office of Data and Innovation,” writes Joy Bonaguro, California’s chief data officer. “This proposed merger will allow each program to leverage the expertise of each group. The team will focus on both the public experience of government and internal management and operations (whether digital or not).”
Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced appointments at the Office of Digital Innovation, elevating two people in an office he proposed in 2019 with his first-ever state budget.
“Our goal is to migrate all ca.gov sites to this more robust, scalable platform that will accommodate our future needs,” writes Blaine Wasylkiw, California’s chief web officer.
“Alpha’s culture, tools, technology and systems thinking approach to operations is something California’s (Technology Modernization Fund) participants should adopt if it’s going to realize a return on that $25 million investment.”
Blaine Wasylkiw, the chief web officer for the state, describes the open source California Design System, which is helping build websites and products “that put people first and also look great.”
The governor led the ceremony Tuesday elevating the veteran state executive to secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.
Entities with active IT recruitments include the California Employment Development Department, the Office of Digital Innovation, the California Department of Technology and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
“A veteran of state service, Director Tong’s deep experience in the public sector and leadership in the technology field have helped guide key efforts to make government more efficient and effective, including our work to bridge the digital divide and help state agencies navigate complex challenges during the pandemic,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
The design system is intended to create a consistent look, feel and navigation path, so Californians can more easily find the online information they need across departments and agencies. With a focus on “user experience” (UX), the design system addresses such elements as typography, design style, content and components.
“We are building the middle-mile network based on data and opportunities to improve connectivity that will result in reliable and more affordable service in all regions of the state, including hard-to-reach rural and tribal communities and lower-income urban areas,” write the state’s broadband leaders.
“Delivering for all Californians has guided my work, from standing up the Office of Digital Innovation and developing a more user-centered vision for technology in the state of California, to driving vaccine equity, to building more inclusive financial products,” writes Justin Cohan-Shapiro.
2021 was a year of pivotal change in tech leadership at the state and local levels. A look back at the headlines in California public-sector technology may reveal more about the future of the state’s IT governance than about the past.
State Chief Information Officer Amy Tong, who’s led the California Department of Technology for more than five years, is moving to a new executive role in state government at month’s end.
The two chief positions — one for transformation and digital stabilization, the other for digital identity — are part of the growth promised by state Chief Technology Innovation Officer Rick Klau, who heads the Office of Enterprise Technology.
The state chief information officer will be moving next month to the Office of Digital Innovation, where she will serve as director, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced Wednesday.
State technologists built many new tools in response to the pandemic, often on a tight timeline. Despite some early glitches, experts told CalMatters the state did an overall positive job given the circumstances.
In a Request for Proposals, the California Office of Digital Innovation indicates it is seeking to hire additional personnel.
One element of state government is seeking a chief information security officer; another is seeking a specialist to oversee IT and telecommunications.
Data Con LA 2021, this year’s virtual version of an annual event focused on data and the technologies that gather, use and share it, has announced its roster of speakers and other details for next month’s conference.
Among the key roles in play are chief information officer/deputy director; head of strategy and procurement; division chief; and data manager.
