Assistant Director of Information Technology in Gastonia, North Carolina

Assists the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with Managing the Technology Services Department, in support of a highly diverse City government and public utility environment. Works with the CIO to oversee development, implementation, integration and support of enterprise software applications and technology infrastructure for the City. Directly manages information systems projects, operations, and staff. Works with the CIO to develop strategic plans, policies, procedures, and processes. Directly engaged with budget planning and management. Performs other related work as required. Work is performed under the general direction of the Chief Information Officer. This individual must be highly motivated, organized, quality minded, detail-oriented, and able to calmly multi-task and juggle competing priorities and deadlines.

Essential Functions/Duties

Provide leadership and oversight, directly to managers and indirectly to team personnel, for assigned areas within Technology Services. Leadership and direction should be oriented toward achieving organizational goals (City and Department), and operational maintenance of systems, with underlying emphasis on customer service, security, fiscal responsibility, attention to detail, and promptness. 20%
Evaluate, train, and develop assigned staff with emphasis on customer service, organizational need, and technical skill growth. 10%
Function as project manager for technology projects, ensuring proper planning, documentation, and communication. 15%
Review technology project requests and recommend projects based on legal requirements or value-add to the organization. Research and recommend strategic and tactical plans regarding information technology systems, telecommunication, and technology initiatives for assigned areas. Work with the CIO and Technology Services Management Team on strategic planning for the organization as a whole. 10%
Assist the CIO with department administration including annual budget planning, financial processes, RFP and bid processes, proposal/contract review and negotiation, and other City/department administration as required. 15%
Assist the CIO with the preparation and maintenance of security and disaster recovery policies, plans, and procedures. 15%
Assist the CIO with department personnel administration including recruitment/hiring processes, personnel evaluations, and other personnel actions. 5%
Function as the highest level escalation contact, and City Management/Council contact for assigned areas, and for the department as a whole when CIO is unavailable. 10%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated experience in technology leadership and considerable independent judgment and initiative, with a visible progression in responsibility over career. Demonstrated ability to hire, evaluate, mentor, coach, direct, coordinate, and assign responsibilities to staff. Abilities to plan, organize and achieve organizational objectives, and exhibit sound business judgment and decision making are musts. Comprehensive knowledge of information technology systems design, procurement, installation, maintenance and support. Ability to coordinate effectively with and maintain effective working relationships with user department personnel, department heads, City officials, external government agencies, and the public. Exemplary communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to tailor to varying audiences are a must. Proven track record in delivering outstanding customer service, and effective project management (moderate to large projects). Technology administration experience including short and long term planning, contract negotiation, and budget administration. Comprehensive knowledge of current technology, trends and developments in the areas of enterprise application systems, and technology infrastructure (data storage systems, communication systems, local and wide area networking, end user compute, and security solutions). Knowledge of relational database design and administration. Direct experience with change management, project management, and SDLC processes (e.g. ITIL). Direct experience with policy development for information security and disaster recovery is required. Ability to stay calm and positive even during times of adversity is important. Demonstrated ability to function at a very high level of efficiency due to organizational and prioritization skills. Introspective and actively seek feedback for self-improvement.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree in information technology, or related field and/or considerable experience in information systems management with substantial supervisory/management role. Formal project management training is a plus. Formal training/certification for information security is a plus.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Valid North Carolina drivers license.
Applicant must successfully complete all job screening(s) necessary to be employed in the Public Safety environment.
Emergency Management Institute – National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-700, IS-100, IS-200, and IS-300 courses within one year of hire.

The physical activity of this position includes:
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must conv