Census seeks CTO

With Avi Bender's departure to lead a data push at another Commerce Department component, the Census Bureau needs a new tech leader ahead of the 2020 headcount.

Shutterstock editorial image (by Gil C): State Census Bureau homepage.

The Census Bureau is looking for a new chief technology officer.

In the midst of the bureau's 2020 technology push -- an ambitious overhaul that watchdogs are monitoring closely -- the agency posted its official CTO job listing on July 11.

The posting comes three weeks after Avi Bender, who had served as Census CTO since 2010, moved to the National Technical Information Service.

The next CTO will serve under another newly arrived leader -- CIO Kevin Smith, who joined the bureau in June.

The CTO will be tasked with finding the right tools to carry out Smith's directives, researching risky but rewarding technologies and advising Census leaders on technical issues.

Applicants should have extensive technical and leadership expertise and the ability to obtain a top secret security clearance.

The position is slated to pay between $123,175 and $185,100. Census plans to accept applications through Aug. 8.