Deputy Chief Information Officer

Job Summary

Performs professional leadership, administrative, and managerial work to support and execute the vision for the hybrid-model Information Technology (IT) Department. Coordinates IT operations to accomplish this vision including resource development and allocation, technology evaluation, IT procedures formation and adherence, and department budget responsibilities. Contributes to IT strategic planning for both short- and long-term activities. Manages significant human, financial, and physical resources, and functions with a high degree of autonomy to improve cost effectiveness, service quality, delivery, and IT operational effectiveness. Cultivates and advances a team environment and a collaborative culture.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Supports transition of county IT services to SaaS (Software as a Service) offerings, participates in RFP and contract negotiations for SaaS services, and keeps abreast of technology trends relating to SaaS and/or hosted solutions.
• Contributes to the design and implementation of the overall IT strategic plan to achieve business goals by prioritizing initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future technology projects. 
• Provides leadership for planning, developing, and implementing IT initiatives including strategies, practices, programs, and staffing.
• Conducts research and makes recommendations on purchase of technology suitable to support and enable county-wide business across all divisions and business units.
• Supports business units and individual business users with issues, questions, and support of delivered services; promotes open channels of communication; reviews, prioritizes, and assigns business requests and incident tickets.
• Directs and implements initiatives to monitor, evaluate and improve customer service delivery to support effective business processes for efficient delivery and support of IT services.
• Manages and drafts IT communications to the county and/or specific business units regarding technical activities that impact business operations and technical issues or concerns.
• Directs and coordinates operational projects and programs as assigned by the CIO.
• Serves on the Project Prioritization Group regarding CIP project and portfolio management review for technical resource needs, procurement and contracts, and alignment of project timelines and risk issue management.   
• Manages service provider and vendor relationships and contract agreements to meet strategic and department goals and objectives.
• Builds strong working relationships and manages and cultivates partnerships with colleagues and internal business units to foster successful solutions to business challenges; maintains external links (vendors, counties, academic institutions, etc.) to gain competitive assessments and share information/ideas/solutions.
• Serves on various committees representing IT. Negotiates and influences others to understand and accept new practices, approaches, and processes.
• Develops, implements, and manages IT procedures and practices in support of county services and staff to maximize the internal efficiency and effectiveness of technical operations. 
• Ensures adherence to IT procedures and practices and tracks compliance through the analysis and monitoring of performance metrics.
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, and/or practices on a broad range of county issues by serving on appropriate committees and to assure proper documentation and communication of necessary controls.
• Manages and facilitates ITIL based Change and Release Management procedures and processes including regular Change Advisory Board responsibilities. Maintains system of record change requests and documentation.
• Maintains records and prepares reports and plans as needed for programs and initiatives on IT services and operations.
• Ensures fiscal responsibility and accountability through coordination and preparation of the annual departmental operational budget to support the strategic plan, authorizing the expenditure of funds, and maintaining overall budget. Collaborates with Finance department regarding IT accounting transactions and processes.  
• Provides leadership to develop a competent, productive, and effective departmental staff, directly and through delegation. 
• Builds, leads, and shapes the constitution of IT staff to be compatible with the overall direction of the organization.
• Directs, coaches, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff; manages human resource and payroll administrative responsibilities including annual reviews and discipline. Coordinates and encourages ongoing professional development of IT staff.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development training, and attending training and/or courses.
• 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 in Computer Sciences, Business Management, Business Administration, or similar, and 7 years of IT management experience with increasing and diverse responsibilities for people, process, and systems direction and planning. Must have ability to work with enterprise software applications, outsourced/cloud solutions, and business analytics. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills. A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

This employee is under the general guidance and authority directed from the Chief Information Officer (CIO), or their designee. This employee communicates with all levels of management and staff within the county. Day-to-day work is done with wide latitude for independence and discretion requiring considerable understanding of complex issues. Decisions and recommendations made will have a significant impact on business communication strategies, methodologies, and outcomes for the county. 

 This employee directs and supervises professional, technical, and program support staff either directly or through designated managers/supervisors. This 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.  

This employee promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others. This 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 principles and techniques related to strategic planning, budgeting, contracting for services, and vendor evaluation.

 Knowledge of SaaS offerings and of current trends and developments in information technology.

 Knowledge of the vendor relationships and contract negotiations.

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Knowledge of business functions, processes, and business information systems.

Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to government and health care data security, retention, and disaster recovery.

Knowledge and skill in providing exceptional customer service in a technical environment.

 Knowledge of formal ITIL and Change and Release Management standards/practices for IT operations.

 Knowledge of project planning and management practices.

 Knowledge of management and leadership principles and practices.

Knowledge of technical procurement and contract requirements and vender management.

  Abilities – Ability to assign, direct, and review the work of technical personnel involved in application programs and systems. 

Ability to recruit, train, supervise and evaluate qualified staff.

 Ability to organize resources and establish priorities.

 Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.

 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 work effectively in a diverse community utilizing strong interpersonal and communication skills in a concise and accurate manner.

 Ability to adapt to changes in the business environment. 

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 operate effectively under rapidly changing conditions or circumstances. 

Ability to collaborate, coordinate, and negotiate county plans with outside agencies, municipalities, and other interest groups regarding information technology matters.   

Ability in analyzing IT services and processes against long-range and strategic plans. needs.  

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.  

Ability to prepare and interpret plans, budgets, and technical and administrative reports.  

 Ability to use Office 365 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. Evening and weekend hours may be required based on project, services, and systems demands. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of service.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, stooping, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, carrying, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job. Employee alternates between sitting for extended periods and moving around throughout the day in providing assistance to others. Some work related travel is required to navigate between county buildings and to attend meetings and training classes.

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.