The Municipal Chief Data Officer (CDO) is a 'C' level executive in the city's technology leadership with primary responsibility for implementing the city's open data / open government plans. Open data is an important cornerstone to broader government transparency efforts, and the CDO is responsible for developing and expanding open data activities across city departments and agencies, and coordinating with other municipal leaders on broader transparency efforts.
The CDO is the face of the city's open data effort, and will be an evangelist for open data and innovation both inside and outside municipal government.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive open data program for city agencies and departments.
- Develop policies and practices for departments to use to identify, review, publish and maintain open data sets for external consumers.
- Develop standards for implementing websites, applications and other technology projects by city agencies in a way that supports open data.
- Develop standards for implementing public facing APIs.
- Oversee the management of an open data portal that will serve as the central directory for open data made available by the city.
- Engage data producers (city departments) and other internal stakeholders to convey the strategic importance of sharing open data, both internally and externally.
- Engage with external consumers of open data to ensure awareness of available data, solicit feedback on data quality and obtain new ideas for future data releases.
- Serve as an evangelist for open data within the city and articulate the innovation opportunities that can be realized by leveraging the the city's data.
- Should be well versed in the principles of open data, open government and Government 2.0.
- Should have a solid understanding of government processes and practices (legislative process, budget process, etc.).
- Should be technically proficient, with some experience using and building software applications that employ open data.
- Should have a solid technical foundation, and be comfortable communicating with internal & external stakeholders on deeper technical issues.
- Should have a solid understanding of how data is used in map making and software development.
- Should understand the concept of 'open data formats' and the pros & cons of different data formats.
- Should have a solid understanding of APIs, with an emphasis on REST.
- Should have an understanding of GIS systems and mapping concepts.
- Should have an awareness of the different options for open data portals (both commercial & open source)
- Should relate to the concept of "government as a platform" with religious intensity.
- Awareness of and experience with open data tools (e.g., Google Refine) and a variety of different data storage technologies.
- Proven leader, with experience developing and implementing plans for broad organizational change.
- Understanding of specific areas of municipal activity that are data intensive - planning & zoning process, education, public safety, etc.
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills.