Data Architect

Job Description and Duties

If you have a passion to be a part of a team that works to serve, aid and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families then is this is the place for you!

The Information Systems Division works in collaboration with programs and county agencies, to provide solutions to systems that assist families access essentials such as, but not limited to, medical services, care providers, groceries, and transportation.

Under the general direction of the Data Management Team Manager (IT Manager I), the ITS II leads the architecture design, development, and implementation of the Enterprise Data Platform (EDP), ensuring secure, scalable, and efficient data integration across the department. The incumbent collaborates with business, program, and technical stakeholders to design cloud-based data solutions that meet evolving analytical, reporting, and operational needs.

The ITS II works in close partnership with the Enterprise Data Architect (IT Specialist III) to ensure alignment with enterprise architecture principles, data governance frameworks, and statewide data standards. This role also contributes to defining best practices, mentoring data engineers, and supporting continuous improvement efforts across CDSS’s modern data ecosystem.

The following includes the essential duties and/or responsibilities of this position:

• Leads architecture design and implementation of the Enterprise Data Platform (EDP) and supports enterprise data modernization initiatives.

• Evaluates and recommends data technologies, tools, and design patterns; collaborates with vendors and internal teams to apply architectural best practices.

• Ensures integration, scalability, and performance across all data layers and systems, including internal and external data sources.

• Works with program and ISD teams to assess capacity and design scalable, cost-optimized data solutions.

• Defines and maintains data models, metadata standards, and architecture documentation to ensure consistency and reuse across the enterprise.

• Collaborates with security and governance teams to ensure compliance with state and federal data privacy, security, and quality standards.

• Designs networking and infrastructure components to support reliable, secure, and high-performing data pipelines in cloud and hybrid environments.

• Provides technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to data engineering staff.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief 

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit 

Follow us on  to stay updated on our latest opportunities.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with  Executive Order N-22-25 the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.

Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

Each applicant must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the three questions below. The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, single-spaced, using 12-point font. Responses should be numbered and clearly address each question. The SOQ will be used to evaluate writing ability, clarity of thought, and alignment of experience with the position's duties.

1) Describe your experience designing and implementing an enterprise data platform or large-scale data architecture. Include the technologies used, the data integration and governance approaches applied, and how your design addressed scalability, performance, and business requirements.

2) Provide an example of how you incorporated data governance, privacy, and security standards (e.g., HIPAA, FISMA, CJIS) into your architectural or data management work. What tools or frameworks did you use to ensure compliance and data protection?

3) Describe a project where you collaborated with cross-functional enterprise teams (e.g., Enterprise Architecture, Security, and Program Divisions) to deliver a data or analytics solution. What was your role, what challenges did you encounter, and what was the outcome?

This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Desirable Qualifications

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:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree or equivalent experience is desirable.

• Experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data warehouses, data lakes, and data integration pipelines. Skilled in data modeling, performance optimization, and automation of ingestion, transformation, and publishing processes.

• Experience architecting and deploying cloud-based data solutions using Microsoft Azure (preferred), AWS, or Google Cloud. Knowledge of networking, capacity planning, elasticity, and cost optimization in hybrid environments.

• Experience implementing security controls and data protection measures in compliance with state and federal privacy and security frameworks such as HIPAA, FedRAMP, or CJIS. Familiarity with role-based access, encryption, and audit practices.

• Experience establishing or supporting data governance processes, including data cataloging, metadata management, data lineage, classification, and quality management. Familiarity with tools such as Azure Purview, Collibra, or Informatica.

• Proficiency with data management and analytics technologies such as Snowflake, Azure Data Factory, SQL Server, Oracle, Power BI, Tableau, SAS Viya, or equivalent. Experience with DevOps practices and version control using Azure DevOps or Git.

• Experience in leading adoption of AI/ML or generative AI tools in an enterprise environment desired.

• Knowledge and preferably hands-on experience applying Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) technologies, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI-assisted automation approaches to improve data engineering, data management, analytics, and software development processes. Experience leveraging Gen AI tools to automate repetitive data engineering tasks, enhance data quality, accelerate documentation, improve metadata management, or optimize data pipeline development is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with business, program, and IT teams to translate requirements into technical designs. Experience mentoring junior engineers and promoting best practices across cross-functional teams.

• Understanding of Agile and DevOps methodologies, project management principles, and CI/CD pipelines for data engineering.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills. Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder engagement abilities. Proven capacity to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight deadlines.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.

o 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

o 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

• Vanpool drivers and riders

o 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees! Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.