Overview
About this Role
Job Summary
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by providing leadership and strategic direction for the development, modernization, reporting, and analytics of data systems within the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID) and the Division of Infectious Disease Data Systems (DIDDS).
The incumbent works under the administrative direction of the Deputy Director, CID. The CEA CDPH 2388 (Rev. 10/2024) Page 1 of 3 State of California – Health and Human Services Agency California Department of Public Health serves as the Chief of the DIDDS, providing strategic leadership of the planning, management, and oversight of teams responsible for the development and operation of CID data systems. This role facilitates cross-functional collaboration between the CID, the CDPH Information Technology Services Division (ITSD), and internal and external workgroups to ensure alignment with departmental priorities and statewide data modernization efforts. The CEA actively contributes to, and coordinates as appropriate, the formulation and implementation of policies and legislation related to CID data systems, ensuring consistency with public health mandates and statutory requirements.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is recruiting an experienced, visionary executive to assist in leading our new Division of Infectious Disease Data Systems (DIDDS)!
Come join one of the largest and most acclaimed state public health departments in the Nation to lead a team that supports statewide infectious disease surveillance, informatics, and data modernization strategy.
The Chief, DIDDS facilitates cross-functional collaboration between the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD), and internal and external workgroups to ensure alignment with departmental priorities and statewide data modernization efforts.
The ideal candidate:
Experience managing multi-million-dollar data systems and ensuring compliance with legislative and departmental requirements
Proven ability to direct complex, cross-functional initiatives and drive organizational improvements
Demonstrated experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and managing subordinate managers in a public health and/or data systems environment
Key Responsibilities
30% Serves as the Center’s principal data systems advisor to the Deputy Director and Assistant Deputy Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases on statewide infectious disease surveillance, informatics, and data modernization strategy. Provides executive leadership developing, integrating and managing infectious disease data systems that support tracking and reporting of communicable diseases, case investigation, contact tracing, laboratory results, immunization records, and population health. Oversees and directs all strategic functions of the DIDDS, ensuring full alignment with departmental mandates, statewide priorities and statutory obligations. Provides executive oversight of the development and maintenance of data systems and platforms, monitoring scope, timelines, and funding to ensure efficient, timely and cost-effective delivery. Advises on the use and understanding of data, statistics and relevant information to inform public health policy, program design, and statewide response strategies. Represents the Department in high-level discussions with federal, state, and local partners regarding infectious disease data systems, interoperability, and modernization efforts.
20% Oversees system organization, data management, and interoperability across platforms supporting disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health information exchange. Establishes policies and procedures to ensure data quality, integrity, security, and confidentiality in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Leads modernization initiatives to enhance real-time data exchange, analytics capabilities, and system scalability to support evolving public health needs.
20% Provides leadership in epidemiology, data analysis, and applied public health science by guiding the collection, integration, analysis, and dissemination of infectious disease data across multiple programs and jurisdictions. Directs the creation of reports, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor disease trends, identify outbreaks, evaluate interventions, and inform decision-making. Ensures the integration of advanced methodologies, including predictive analytics and data modeling, to strengthen surveillance and response capabilities. Leads and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, including researchers, scientists, IT professionals, administrative personnel, and contractors, through strategic planning, coordination, and execution of complex initiatives and translate complex data into actionable insights for executive leadership and external stakeholders. Provides leadership on infectious disease data governance, equity, and ethical use of public health data to ensure inclusive, culturally responsive, and evidence-based decision-making. Advises on data use agreements, privacy protections, and responsible data sharing practices. Supports responses to data security and privacy incidents and ensures compliance with departmental and statewide information security policies.
15% Cultivates and sustains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including CDPH directorate, program leadership, control agencies, other state and federal departments, and public/private sector partners, to advance strategic data system initiatives. Leads interagency coordination to support data sharing, system integration, and alignment of surveillance practices across jurisdictions. Represents the Department in legislative hearings, intergovernmental committees, and public forums as a subject matter expert in infectious disease informatics and data systems. Facilitates communication between technical teams, program leadership, and policymakers to ensure transparency, alignment, and effective implementation of statewide initiatives.
10% Provides executive oversight of organizational development, workforce planning, and operational coordination across the Division. Assesses staffing and resource needs to support data systems, epidemiology, and informatics functions. Participates in recruitment, selection, and performance management of multidisciplinary staff, including epidemiologists, data scientists, IT professionals, and administrative personnel. Establishes priorities, allocates resources, and ensures alignment of Division activities with departmental strategic goals and emerging public health threats.
5% Performs other work-related duties as required.
Qualifications
All employees shall possess the general qualifications, as described in California Code of Regulations Title 2, Section 172, which include, but are not limited to integrity, honesty, dependability, thoroughness, accuracy, good judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, and the ability work cooperatively with others.
This position requires the incumbent to maintain consistent and regular attendance; communicate effectively (orally and in writing) in dealing with the public and/or other employees; develop and maintain knowledge and skill related to specific tasks, methodologies, materials, tools, and equipment; complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner; and, adhere to departmental policies and procedures.
All California Department of Public Health (CDPH) employees perform work that is of the utmost importance, where each employee is important in supporting and promoting an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusivity, essential to the delivery of the department’s mission. All employees are valued and should understand that their contributions and the contributions of their team members derive from different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences, supporting innovations in public health services and programs for California.
Competencies
The competencies required for this position are found on the classification specification for the classification noted above. Classification specifications are located on the California Department of Human Resource’s Job Descriptions webpage.
Special Requirements
Conflict of Interest (COI)
Background Check and/or Fingerprinting Clearance
Medical Clearance
Travel: Statewide travel up to 30% may be required.
Bilingual: Pass a State written and/or verbal proficiency exam in
License/Certification:
Other:
About California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
CDPH works to protect the public's health in the Golden State and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor to the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Shared Vision
CDPH public health professionals, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members have a shared vision to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We are dedicated to public service and passionate about our work and the people and communities we serve and protect.
Diversity Statement
At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
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