Governor Newsom announces new tool to make it easier to access and find a state job

“I’m proud of the work our teams have done to pioneer the AskCA engine, a critical feature supporting Californians seeking employment with the state,” said Monica Erickson, CalHR Director. “This tool will help hundreds of thousands of applicants understand where to begin their search and cut through the specialized terminology of state classifications.”

Since the soft launch, the prototype has already generated significant interest, with approximately 21,500 clicks to explore the tool and nearly 8,000 submitting a resume or information to receive classification recommendations. This early engagement demonstrates the public’s demand for clearer, more accessible hiring guidance and provides valuable insights that will shape future iterations of the tool.

“This is what happens when you ask the right question: ‘How can we make this easier for people?’ The AskCA framework was born from real needs, tested with Californians, and now it’s delivering results,” said Jeffery Marino, Director of the California Office of Data and Innovation. “We’re proud to pioneer an approach to government innovation that puts accessibility and user experience at the center.”

Historically, job seekers applying to state positions have lacked clear guidance on which roles fit their backgrounds. This matching tool allows for a more targeted approach for applicants, connecting their skills with job types, and ultimately reducing the time spent navigating the wide range of classifications. CalHR is the first department to deploy a prototype of a tool powered by AskCA in a live public service.

Modernizing state hiring

The Skills Matching prototype complements several ongoing CalHR initiatives that aim to improve efficiency, reduce barriers, and make state hiring more accessible.

Faster hiring for licensed professionals: CalHR is streamlining hiring for roles requiring professional licensure — beginning with marriage and family therapists and clinical counselors. By aligning state examination processes with existing licensing standards, qualified professionals can enter state service more quickly. Instead of completing a full examination, applicants now leverage their existing certifications or licenses.
Saving thousands of hours of staff time: In collaboration with the Government Operations Agency (GovOps) and the State Personnel Board (SPB), CalHR also implemented an Accelerated Hiring Guide that is estimated to save state staff more than 500,000 hours annually. By reducing applicant screening times by 80% to 85% and deferring minimum qualification checks until candidates are selected for interviews, departments can focus their efforts on evaluating the strongest applicants and moving qualified candidates through the process more efficiently.
Delivering faster results through new pooled hiring model: CalHR recently completed its first Pooled Hiring Pilot, an innovative recruitment approach that consolidates multiple departmental vacancies into shared job announcements and coordinated hiring processes. The pilot included several state departments, focusing on Analyst I, Analyst II, and Student Assistant classifications. This model eliminated duplicative work, standardized screening, and accelerated time-to-hire.
- Following CalHR’s pilot, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration became the first department to independently adopt a pooled hiring model, launching its intradepartmental “NextGen Program.” The program’s first hiring event resulted in 23 student hires, establishing a strong talent pipeline and introducing students to careers in public service.

Leading in government efficiency

Governor Newsom has made efficiency and innovation — with appropriate safeguards protecting privacy, safety, and civil liberties — a top priority since the start of his administration. Governor Newsom has:

Established the Office of Data Innovation, a group of technology experts dedicated to supporting other state agencies, departments, and employees to utilize data, technology, and principles of human-centered design common in the private sector to improve the delivery of services to Californians.
Overhauled and modernized the Department of Motor Vehicles to reduce wait times, expand online services, and improve customer service.
Implemented new cutting-edge technologies to fight wildfires, including cameras across the state and data modeling to improve incident reporting, and to predict where wildfires might occur and where drones should be deployed.
Issued executive orders in 2023 and 2026 directing state agencies to responsibly implement Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into state government operations and help support the work of front-line employees, with the appropriate privacy, security, and civil liberties guardrails.
Launched a new partnership with Anthropic to provide AI productivity tools, training, and technical assistance to state and local employees, and developed a new AI tool, “Poppy,” specifically tailored for government use.
Launched the Emerging Technology Accelerator, leveraging pro bono technical expertise from UC Berkeley, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, Mozilla Foundation, Nava Labs, Tech Talent Project, and US Digital Response to modernize government service delivery.
Launched the Breakthrough Project with industry executives to support efficiency initiatives. The Breakthrough Project has helped save $12 million through pooled IT contracts, digitized 40,000 water rights records, expanded access to the Golden Bear Pass Program, and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by digitizing outdated printing processes.
Expedited the procurement process through an innovative Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2), which allows state agencies to quickly test technology through safe and secure environments. Through this expedited process, California has already announced three important contracts that use GenAI to reduce highway congestion, improve traffic safety, and enhance customer service.

Improving government services through engagement

Last year, Governor Newsom launched Engaged California, the first-of-its-kind digital platform that offers a virtual town hall setting to empower Californians to engage and share insights about a particular topic. The pilot project involved people impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The state also solicited input on efficiency ideas from state government employees, seeking to create faster and more efficient resources for the future. Engaged California was also used to give Californians a stronger voice in AI policy and assess its impact on the state’s economy and workers. This was the first statewide use of the tool, open to every resident.

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