City of Syracuse Launches Search for New Chief Data Officer

Current CDO Sam Edelstein departing City for opportunity in private sector

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced a national search for a new Chief Data Officer (CDO) for the City of Syracuse. The CDO leads the City’s work to improve data quality and sharing; inform local government decision-making and enhance efficiency and city services. Syracuse’s current CDO, Sam Edelstein, is leaving the City for a position in the private sector.

The CDO is responsible for creating a vision for City-wide data-informed decision-making; and ensuring that all data generated and collected is managed as an asset particularly within the efforts to make processes more efficient and effective. Additionally, the CDO coordinates standards for releasing City data to the public.

“Data plays a crucial role in how my Administration is achieving our vision of being a growing city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all. The new Chief Data Officer will be a key part of our continued transformation as a community,” said Mayor Walsh. “Sam Edelstein has been the architect of much or our data strategy and the systems and tools that we’ve used for data sharing. I am deeply grateful for his work and his vision, and I wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”

Edelstein joined the City in 2015 as a data analyst. Mayor Stephanie Miner named him Chief Data Officer, the first in the City’s history, in 2016. Edelstein was an original member of the city’s Innovation Team (i-team), funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Edelstein led the construction and operation of DataCuse, the City’s online open data portal. He played a key role in the formation of the Office of Accountability, Performance and Innovation (API) under Mayor Walsh; helped plan and drive the City’s acquisition and conversion of smart street light network; and was a key part of the team for the Syracuse Surge, the City’s strategy for inclusive growth in the New Economy.

A full description of the position of the position is available here. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to personnel@syrgov.net.

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