Driver Safety Branch Chief

California Department of Motor Vehicles; California (MO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking a Driver Safety Branch Chief, an executive role guiding statewide strategy, policy, and operations for driver safety programs. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, coordinate complex activities, and build partnerships with government, Legislature, and the public to deliver unified results across the program.

Bring executive leadership, analytical acumen, and a commitment to equity and fairness as you drive modernization, improve workflow

Qualifications

• Leverages expert-level understanding of California’s legislative and executive systems.
• Leads, motivates, and directs multidisciplinary teams to achieve high-impact results.
• Drives policy development, organizational improvement, and strategic program direction.
• Analyzes complex administrative policies and operational challenges to deliver effective solutions.
• Builds strong, collaborative relationships across government, stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Interprets and applies complex statutes, regulations, and due process requirements with precision.
• Communicates clearly, advises senior leaders confidently, and exercises sound judgment under pressure.
• Champions modernization, system improvements, and data-driven decision-making.
• Manages budgets, allocates resources strategically, and prioritizes competing demands.
• Advances equity, fairness, and departmental EEO objectives through inclusive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee daily operations, ensuring consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and statutory requirements.
• Lead modernization initiatives to improve workflow efficiency, reduce backlogs, and enhance service delivery statewide.
• Monitor performance metrics and operational trends to inform policy and identify system vulnerabilities.
• Oversee discretionary authority within driver safety hearings, ensuring legally sound, fair, and transparent outcomes.
• Partner with legal counsel and executive leadership to maintain quality and fairness in investigations and administrative actions.
• Serve as departmental liaison, cultivating strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Direct administration of case management systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and aligned workflow operations.
• Grow workforce excellence through training, mentoring, and performance management.
• Manage resource allocation, workloads, and budget planning to support statewide priorities.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on development, engagement, and accountability.

Job description

This position is located within California.

Final Filing Date: 9/9/2026

About This Role

The Driver Safety Branch Chief is a high-impact executive role leading statewide strategy, policy, and operations for California's driver safety programs. You'll apply advanced expertise in public administration, policy development, organizational leadership, and government processes to shape statewide practices and drive meaningful operational improvements.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, coordinate complex program activities, and build strong partnerships across government, the Legislature, Executive leadership, and the public. This role demands a strategic, solutions-driven leader who can analyze complex challenges, advise top-level administrators, and deliver unified results across a diverse statewide program.

As an executive leader, you will champion equity, fairness, and accountability while advancing the department's EEO objectives - directly influencing the future of driver safety across California.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee daily operations, ensuring consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and statutory requirements.


• Lead modernization initiatives to improve workflow efficiency, reduce backlogs, and enhance service delivery statewide.


• Monitor performance metrics and operational trends to inform policy and identify system vulnerabilities.


• Oversee discretionary authority within driver safety hearings, ensuring legally sound, fair, and transparent outcomes.


• Partner with legal counsel and executive leadership to maintain quality and fairness in investigations and administrative actions.


• Serve as departmental liaison, cultivating strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• Direct administration of case management systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and aligned workflow operations.


• Grow workforce excellence through training, mentoring, and performance management.


• Manage resource allocation, workloads, and budget planning to support statewide priorities.


• Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on development, engagement, and accountability.

Desirable Qualifications

• Leverages expert-level understanding of California’s legislative and executive systems.


• Leads, motivates, and directs multidisciplinary teams to achieve high-impact results.


• Drives policy development, organizational improvement, and strategic program direction.


• Analyzes complex administrative policies and operational challenges to deliver effective solutions.


• Builds strong, collaborative relationships across government, stakeholders, and executive leadership.


• Interprets and applies complex statutes, regulations, and due process requirements with precision.


• Communicates clearly, advises senior leaders confidently, and exercises sound judgment under pressure.


• Champions modernization, system improvements, and data-driven decision-making.


• Manages budgets, allocates resources strategically, and prioritizes competing demands.


• Advances equity, fairness, and departmental EEO objectives through inclusive leadership.