Cyber Policy and Strategy Planner

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Parking

On-site Gym

Electric Carport

Excellent CalPERS pension

401(k) and 457(b) plans

Flexible schedules

Generous paid time off

Health, dental & vision insurance

Career development

Close to Light Rail

Job summary

Cal OES seeks a detail-oriented technology professional to support the AI Safety Reporting Program. As a Cyber Policy and Strategy Planner within Cal-CSIC, you will help design AI safety policies, playbooks, and procedures, analyze incident submissions, and prepare accurate summaries and legislative reports.

Responsibilities include reviewing AI safety incident reports, compiling annual data, and coordinating with Cal-CSIC, CDT and partners to improve statewide reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience in evaluating and developing cybersecurity policies and procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication with executives and stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze complex incidents and produce clear reports.
• Familiarity with AI, ML, quantum computing and related regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze AI safety incident reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Compile data for annual reporting and strategic policy recommendations.
• Coordinate with Cal-CSIC, CDT and other partners to improve statewide reporting processes.
• Prepare concise, legislative-ready summaries and reports.

Skills

Risk assessment

Policy analysis

Cybersecurity

Technical writing

Stakeholder coordination

AI knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Cal OES is seeking a detail-oriented technology professional to support California’s emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Reporting Program. As a Cyber Policy and Strategy Planner within the Homeland Security Division’s California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), you will help design and refine AI safety policies, playbooks, and procedures, analyze critical incident submissions, and prepare clear, accurate summaries and legislative reports.

Key responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing AI safety incident reports, compiling and interpreting data for annual reporting, coordinating with partners from the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), California Department of Technology (CDT), and others while supporting continuous improvement of statewide reporting processes.

The ideal candidate has deep technical and cybersecurity subject matter expertise, is a strong writer and critical thinker who can manage multiple assignments, interpret laws and policies and their technical implications, communicate clearly with executives and stakeholders, and work collaboratively in a fast moving environment. Experience in AI, policy analysis, reporting processes, sensitive information handling, or multi-stakeholder coordination is highly desirable.

This position is located at our Mather Campus and is eligible for a hybrid work schedule which may include up to one day of remote work per week. Additional in-office days may be required based on business needs.

The position is a 12-month limited term (LT) and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent. This position is pending final budget approval. This is a readvertisement. If you previously applied, there is no need to reapply, as your application is still under consideration.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Applications will be received until 11:59pm PST on September 13, 2026.

Department Information:

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California.

Cal OES is an emergency response, homeland security, and disaster recovery agency and as a result, is a dynamic and exciting place to work in a team-oriented environment. Cal OES provides training to enhance the understanding of emergency and incident management to all employees.

Homeland Security is the coordinated effort to ensure we are prepared to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from threats and acts of terrorism, plus other man-made or natural disasters or catastrophes. It requires a risk management process in order to ensure California has the right capabilities in place to manage those hazards that pose the greatest risk to the State, its people, and its critical infrastructure and key resources.

In the event of an emergency, employees may be contacted and requested to report to work in the event of an emergency. This contact may be outside of your normal working hours (evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays). This service may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty location, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and you may be required to relocate to emergency sites.

More information may be found here: Homeland Security | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

Department Website: http://www.caloes.ca.gov

Desirable Qualifications:

In additional 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:

• Understanding how to assess and mange risks to develop effective cybersecurity policies.
• Familiarity with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance and develop effective strategies.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations for drafting and implementing cybersecurity policies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging technologies and their cybersecurity implications, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and quantum computing.
• Strong communication abilities to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders for collaboration and policy implementation.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders for collaboration and policy implementation.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make sound decisions for strategic planning and policy development.
• Experience working in collaborative environments with partners, such as regional fusion centers, the California Cybersecurity Integration Center, and the Department of Homeland Security.
• Ability to analyze complex situations, identify potential solutions, and make sound decisions for strategic planning and policy development.

Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Free Parking
• On-site Gym and Locker room
• Electric Carport
• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
• Investment in careers development
• Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.