Chief Information Officer

Job Summary

Performs leadership, administrative, and managerial work in establishing and executing the vision for the hybrid-model Information Technology (IT) Department, guiding the development of strategic plans to accomplish this vision, and motivating employees to achieve the mission and goals of the county. Fosters a team environment and a collaborative culture. Develops IT programs, policies, and practices in support of county services and staff to enhance organizational effectiveness. Uses data to make decisions. Ensures information and data integrity for the organization across a wide array of systems, programs, operations, networks, and technology types.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Identifies and implements the IT strategic plan; provides leadership and oversight for all IT-related activities within the county, including responsibility for directing IT strategies, policies, practices, programs, and staff.
• Identifies and implements effective business processes for efficient delivery and support of IT services; manages and develops IT human resources, including hiring, coach and mentoring, evaluation of performance, and discipline.
• Transitions county IT services to SaaS (Software as a Service) offerings, manages RFP and contract negotiations for SaaS services, and keeps abreast of technology trends relating to SaaS and/or hosted solutions.
• Prepares organizational objectives and budgets to facilitate the orderly and efficient capture, storage, processing, and dissemination of information.
• Ensures the security of county systems and equipment while providing the appropriate availability of information and disaster recovery to ensure business continuity; ensures enterprise level security for all electronic and hard copy data.
• Leads a team of IT Managers and technical professionals to research, recommend, and purchase technology suitable to support and enable county-wide business across all divisions and business units. Directs the administration and control of IT research and development to gain the best possible return through innovative programs.
• Researches and identifies programs to measure productivity-related benefits of technology to ensure value-add consistent with the county productivity goals; monitors procedures to ensure that a comparison is made of internal development versus purchase.
• Ensures and enables the development and maintenance of policies and procedures to assure proper documentation and communication of necessary controls.
• Develops and manages effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials and other business colleagues to develop effective solutions to business challenges; maintains external links (companies, counties, academic institutions, etc.) to gain competitive assessments and share information/ideas/solutions.
• Builds, leads, and shapes the attitudes of IT and the Service Teams to be compatible with the overall direction of the organization.
• Assists county leaders in evaluating IT services, consulting, contracts, collaborative opportunities, and their impact on business operations.
• Identifies and assesses emerging IT to be assimilated, integrated, and introduced within the county; analyzes their impact on the enterprise; develops plans for successful implementation.
• Establishes a proactive organizational framework that supports both end-user computing and professional computing with proper balance to maximize benefits for the county.
• Provides enterprise-wide direction on the use of emerging technologies for IT satellite operations, including other groups, divisions, and community relationships.
• Uses metrics and measures to oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual reports and updates on IT/services operations.
• Ensures the inventory of installed or planned-to-be-installed information services is monitored.
• Identifies need for and sets standards such as:
• Mandatory telecommunications standards.
• Standard languages for classes of acquired equipment.
• Documentation procedures for different types of systems.
• Enterprise data dictionary with clear definitions for when elements must be included.
• Identification of file maintenance standards and procedures.
• Examination procedure for systems developed as independent islands to ensure they do not conflict with County needs and that any necessary interfaces are constructed.
• Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree (Master's preferred) in Computer Science or Management Information Systems and eight years of IT management experience with increasing and diverse responsibilities for people, process, and systems direction and planning. One must have ability to work with IT hardware platforms, enterprise software applications, outsourced/cloud solutions, business analytics and business intelligence; as well as excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to discuss IT concepts and business strategies with non-IT staff/officials/decision makers. A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under broad policy guidance and direction from the Chief Financial Officer or their designee. Broad discretion is used in decision making to operate the division. The CIO has wide latitude for independent judgment limited only by review County Administrator.
 
The employee directs and supervises professional, technical, and program support staff either directly or through designated managers/supervisors. The employee directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.
 
The employee promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others. The employee learns, understands, executes, and promotes organizational cultural initiatives and county-wide program objectives.
Core Competencies and Abilities
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of strategic planning principles, budget preparation, and IT control procedures, including program and vendor evaluation.
 
Knowledge of county policies, business functions, processes, and information systems.
 
Knowledge of the concept of and uses for IT for voice and data.
 
Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to government and health care data security, retention, and disaster recovery.
 
Knowledge of capabilities and limitations of data processing equipment.
 
Knowledge in understanding of computer logic, block diagramming, and flow-charting.
 
Knowledge of standard computer languages and operating systems.
 
Knowledge of Lawson applications, UNIX, Microsoft Windows, Personal Computer (PC), and/or AS/400 systems, e-business applications, web design, web development, and/or management of content management systems.
 
Knowledge and skill in providing exceptional customer service in a technical environment.
 
Abilities – Ability to plan, assign, direct, and review the work of technical personnel involved in the design, development, and implementation of application programs, including web applications.
 
Ability to manage day-to-day details of multiple projects and issues, providing regular technical reports, both verbal and statistical, showing status of ongoing projects.
 
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks into workable schedules, balancing user needs with system resources.
 
Ability to effectively present analysis and recommendations through spoken, written, and electronic communications.
 
Ability to adapt to changes in the business environment.

Ability to develop a Project Management Office and institution of rigors and standards.

Ability to use data to make decisions.
 
Ability to provide leadership and develop a team approach to solving problems and communicating solutions.
 
Ability to maintain a professional image, a strong operational focus, and exercise sound judgment.
 
Ability to resolve conflict while advancing a business agenda.
 
Ability to collaborate, coordinate, and negotiate county plans with outside agencies, municipalities, and other interest groups regarding information technology matters.
 
Ability to travel to outside offices to meetings and training classes.
 
Ability in analyzing IT/services, processes, and in preparing long-range and strategic responses to county informational needs.
 
Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
 
Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
 
Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services.
Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.