Enterprise AI & Data Systems Manager

Ventura County; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

General Salary Increase

Educational Incentive

Annual Leave

Deferred Compensation

Health Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Pension Plan

Holidays

Job summary

County of Ventura is seeking a Data Systems Manager to lead AI pilots and enterprise data initiatives. The role focuses on shaping AI adoption, governance, security, and interoperability across business units.

You will supervise staff and collaborate with stakeholders to translate technical concepts into practical, secure solutions. The position emphasizes strategic data architecture, data stewardship, and alignment with county IT standards while fostering responsible technology use and

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of AI, enterprise data, analytics and automation.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborative leader with experience supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates AI-enabled tools and platforms for alignment with security and governance requirements.
• Develops technical recommendations for AI-enabled tools, data platforms, and emerging technologies.
• Designs AI tests, pilots, and sandbox environments in partnership with multiple stakeholders.
• Supports AI strategy and roadmap planning including data governance and integration patterns.
• Establishes data repositories, catalogs, dictionaries, and metadata documentation.
• Coordinates with vendors and internal stakeholders to evaluate data and AI technologies.

Job description

What We Offer

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• General Salary Increase of 3.5% on December 20, 2026 and 3.5% on December 19, 2027.
• Educational Incentive for completion of an associate degree (2.5%), a bachelor's degree (3.5%), or a graduate degree (5%).
• Annual Leave: 208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after five (5) years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption: The option to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave hours per year after using 80 hours in the preceding twelve (12) months.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans: You are afforded a flexible allowance credit of up to $26,626.86 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts:Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre‑tax dollars for IRS‑approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Both the County and the employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
• Holidays: 13 paid days per year, which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

The Department

The Information Technology Services (ITS) department partners with every Ventura County department and agency to deliver secure, innovative, and reliable technology solutions that support both day‑to‑day operations and long‑term strategic initiatives. ITS provides expertise in project and portfolio management, business process improvement, enterprise applications, voice and data infrastructure, cybersecurity, risk and vulnerability management, technology consulting, contract management, and strategic IT staffing to help departments achieve their business objectives.

The Position

The Enterprise AI & Data Systems Manager will help shape how the County evaluates, designs, implements, and responsibly uses artificial intelligence, automation, analytics, and enterprise data technologies. This position will lead AI pilots and proof‑of‑concept efforts, support the development of the County's AI and data strategy, and help establish the governance, security, and operational standards needed for successful implementation. The role will also collaborate with business and technical stakeholders, evaluate emerging technologies, develop recommendations, and supervise staff supporting these initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is forward‑thinking technology leader with a strong understanding of artificial intelligence, enterprise data, analytics, automation, and responsible technology adoption. They will be skilled at evaluating emerging tools, identifying security, privacy, governance, and operational risks, and translating complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for both technical and non‑technical stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be a collaborative leader who can build strong relationships, guide cross‑functional initiatives, develop standards and procedures, and effectively supervise and develop staff. The ideal candidate will also have strong hands‑on technical experience designing, integrating, and implementing AI‑enabled solutions within complex enterprise environments.

Payroll Title: Data Systems Manager

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification differs from that of a Senior Data Analyst in that the latter provides installation, maintenance, and support to specific physical data bases.

Educational Incentive:

Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's degree that is not require for the classification.

Data Systems Manager is a management position and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed‑term, and Intermittent vacancies for this and similarly situated positions only.

There is currently one (1) Regular, full‑time, vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Opening Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Closing Date: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend on when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applicants to meet business needs.

Below is a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in this classification. These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

• Evaluates AI-enabled tools, platforms and services for alignment with County business needs, security, privacy, governance, integration, supportability, and operational readiness.
• Develops technical recommendations regarding the architecture, selection, configuration, testing deployment, and appropriate use of AI-enabled tools, automation technologies, data platforms, and emerging technologies.
• Designs and coordinates AI tests, pilot, proof-of-concept, and sandbox environments in partnership with security, infrastructure, application, data governance, and business stakeholders.
• Supports AI strategy and roadmap planning by advising on data platform needs, governance requirements, integration patterns, analytics readiness, tool evaluation, and responsible use of enterprise data.
• Establishes and maintains data repositories, data catalogs, data dictionaries, metadata directories, and documentation supporting enterprise data systems, analytics, automation, and AI-enabled use case.
• Supports planning and implementation of enterprise data and analytical platforms, including data warehouse, data Lakehouse, business intelligence, self-service analytics, and related data integration environments.
• Defines and documents data structures, relationships, business rules, authorized uses, data lineage, ownership, classifications, and operational requirements.
• Participates in customer requirement sessions to identify business rules, data resources, reporting needs, analytic requirements, automation opportunities, and AI-enabled use cases.
• Reviews proposed data integrations, dashboards, automation efforts, AI tools, and AI-enabled use cases for alignment with County standards, security requirements, governance practices, and operational guidelines.
• Coordinates with vendors and internal stakeholders to evaluate emerging data, analytics, automation, and AI technologies; documents findings; and presents recommendations.
• Prepares and presents reports