Principal Data Architect

Under the general direction of the Deputy Director, Data Operations Strategy, the Principal Data Architect serves as the Office of Data & Innovation's (ODI) primary technical authority for data engineering platforms and services and is responsible for defining and maintaining technical policies, standards, and architectural frameworks that govern ODI's data engineering work. The Principal Data Architect establishes authoritative architectural standards, engineering patterns, and implementation guidance for ODI's data engineering work. The position provides technical direction for complex initiatives that enable reliable and scalable data systems across ODI and partner departments. The incumbent exercises broad discretion and independent judgment in evaluating architectural approaches, authorizing engineering solutions, and ensuring that technical implementations meet program requirements and long-term sustainability needs.

The Principal Data Architect provides expert technical guidance, peer review, and architectural oversight across ODI engineering efforts and contributes to the development of shared technical resources, documentation standards, and engineering frameworks. This position plays a critical role in advancing ODI's mission to improve services and outcomes for Californians by strengthening the State's capacity to use data effectively, responsibly, and sustainably., 1. Describe your experience shaping technical policy standards or practices for data engineering that applied across teams, programs, or partner organizations. Include examples, positions, and years held.

2. Describe a project where you influenced a high-impact technical decision. Describe how you evaluated options, ensured organizational buy-in, and implemented the solution.
3. Describe your experience developing staff in a quickly-evolving technical domain. How did you approach developing their expertise while continuing to meet project deliverables?

Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered a response to the SOQ. Applications submitted without an SOQ will be excluded from consideration., Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy - influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level., 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.

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement., State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others., 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: We encourage you to apply regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of the desirable qualifications.

• Experience providing senior technical leadership and architectural authority for data engineering teams in complex organizations.
• Experience developing, authorizing, and enforcing engineering standards, policies, and procedures to promote data engineering best practices.
• Experience directing the technical execution of multiple complex initiatives, including evaluating architectual impact, sequencing work, and resolving competing technical priorities and deadlines.
• Experience mentoring engineers through technical review, architectural guidance and knowledge sharing practices.
• Experience supporting cross-team projects through a variety of operational models.
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, privacy, security, and responsible data use practices.
• Strong knowledge of modern data engineering practices, including cloud based data platforms, automated pipelines, data modeling, testing, documentation, continuous integration / continuous deployment, and infrastructure as code.
• Ability to make and defend, and clearly communicate technical decisions,including tradeoffs between technical feasibility, risk, security, and product or customer requirements to non-technical stakeholders.

ODI staff reside throughout California. The employee's workstation will be located in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, or Oakland. Travel to the Sacramento headquarters may be required as needed. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies., 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 ODI and is not an E-Verified employer. Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov