Chief Data Officer

Social Security Administration

Woodlawn, MD

JobSummary

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Chief Data Officer (CDO) is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing and operationalizing data management across the SSA enterprise.

LowGrade

HighGrade

PromotionPotential

None

SubAgencyName

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

OrganizationCodes

OT/SZ00

Relocation

False

HiringPath

fed-competitive
fed-excepted
ses
public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

AgencyMarketingStatement

The men and women of the Social Security Administration are the stewards of the Federal Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance programs, as well as Supplemental Security Income for the aged, blind and disabled. With a workforce of approximately 50,000 employees in 1,300 service locations across the country, our mission is to advance the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs.

TravelCode

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

The CDO leads a team of data professionals, combining strategic vision with hands-on technical expertise to ensure the effective design, implementation, and maintenance of the agency's data infrastructure. This role oversees the development of an enterprise-wide data strategy, manages data collection, storage, quality, and protection, and ensures compliance with all relevant federal data privacy and protection regulations. The CDO collaborates closely with the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), senior analytics and AI professionals, and other key stakeholders to drive data-driven improvements in agency processes. The CDO must be a hands-on data expert, actively engaging with teams on data modeling, schema design, API development, and query optimization, and not just an executive strategist. The CDO is responsible for the following: Developing and Implementing Data Governance: Establishing and maintaining robust data governance frameworks and policies to ensure the accuracy, integrity, quality, and security of SSA data. Leading the creation and enforcement of standardized practices for data collection, storage, and usage. Providing Hands-On Data Expertise: Actively participating in data modeling, schema design, API development, and query optimization. Providing direct technical guidance and support to teams, ensuring best practices in database design and data architecture. Driving Data Quality Initiatives: Leading agency-wide efforts to improve data quality, including data cleansing, validation, and the establishment of data quality metrics. Overseeing lifecycle data management practices to promote data standardization, interoperability, and reliability. Developing Data Classification: Developing and implementing comprehensive data classification standards and processes to ensure that SSA data assets are appropriately categorized based on sensitivity, regulatory requirements, and business value. Overseeing the consistent application of classification protocols across the agency. Ensuring Data Readiness for AI: Assessing and enhancing the readiness of SSA data assets for artificial intelligence and advanced analytics initiatives. Collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure data is properly structured, labeled, and accessible for AI model development and deployment. Identifying Authoritative Sources of Information: Establishing and maintaining processes for identifying, validating, and documenting authoritative sources of information within SSA. Ensuring that agency data users have access to trusted, high-quality data sources for decision-making and reporting. Promoting Data Innovation: Partnering with key officials to identify and implement innovative data solutions. Exploring emerging technologies and driving the adoption of advanced analytics tools to enhance agency capabilities. Optimizing Data Infrastructure: Collaborating with IT and business teams to modernize and optimize the agency's data infrastructure, supporting advanced analytics and actionable insights. Ensuring the availability, usability, and integrity of SSA data assets.

Education

Requirements

To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan). Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back; FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation); and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).

Evaluations

Do not list a Social Security Number or Date of Birth on any attachment. Once the application process is complete, a Human Resources Specialist will conduct a review of your resume and supporting documentation. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and the Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above. The ECQs and TQ must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration, including reference checks. You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your accomplishments and experience. Your application will be rated and ranked by an SES Rating Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants determined to be Highly Qualified must demonstrate sufficient possession of the ECQs, and any TQs and DQs, and will be referred to the hiring component for further consideration. Upon selection, if you have not provided evidence of noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible), you must participant in a Structured Interview assessment based on the ECQs conducted by an OPM Qualifications Review Board prior to appointment. Your application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB. Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/

HowToApply

To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete application no later than 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement - 04/27/2026. If you fail to submit a complete application prior to the closing time, the application system will not allow you to finish. Requests for extensions will not be granted, so please begin the application process with enough time to finish before the deadline. To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail.

WhatToExpectNext

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

RequiredDocuments

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified, and by the closing date of the announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Resume (2-page maximum) - All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. Vacancy Assessment Questionnaire Responses - Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs/Application Manager when you apply to this vacancy. Additional Required Documents - Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation, if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. You must meet all the TQ. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification. You must meet the TQ. CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES: If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to substantiate your minimum qualifications eligibility. The provided SF-50 must reflect your grade/step (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment), tenure, and type of service. Providing an SF-50 that does not contain the required information (such as an award SF-50), may result in an ineligible rating. Failure to provide the proper documentation may result in the rating and ranking of your application under competitive procedures, which requires you to demonstrate possession of the ECQs within your 2-page resume. Strongly Recommended: Most recent performance evaluation If you are a current or former political appointee within the last five (5) years, including Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES, please submit documentation of your appointment, including a copy of your SF-50. Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement (04/27/2026) will result in your removal from consideration for this position.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.ssa.gov/careers/

OtherInformation

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to All application materials are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become property of SSA. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Kathryn.Bird@ssa.gov.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

ServiceType

AnnouncementClosingType

AgencyContactEmail

Kathryn.Bird@ssa.gov

SecurityClearance

Not Required

DrugTestRequired

False