Senior Director of Information Technology

The Senior Director of Information Technology (IT) is responsible for all the data and educational needs of the school department. The person in this position is responsible to ensure that sessions for the information systems include provisions of secure environments and that controls are in place to maintain accuracy of data used for information systems.

The Senior Director of IT will plan, design, and direct all operational activities of the IT department, as well as provide direction and support for IT solutions that enhance mission-critical business operations. This person will work closely with decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective technology solutions for all aspects of the organization.

The ideal candidate in this position must have a thorough knowledge of the following principles and practices:

• Methods of systems analysis, design, development and implementation in a shared, data and information networking environment.
• Data processing program development, administration, and evaluation; programming languages, database management, and system applications.
• Establishment, installation and maintenance of a district-wide telecommunications network.
• Installation, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment; operational characteristics and requirements of computer hardware and peripheral equipment; and evaluation and distribution of non-print media.

** Contingent upon funding**

EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in information systems, educational technology, computer science, or a closely related field, from an accredited college or university, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible comprehensive information/educational technology experience, preferably in a school district.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS:

• Proven experience in IT infrastructure strategic planning and development, project management, and/or policy development.
• Good understanding and technical knowledge of current network and client operating systems, hardware, protocols, and standards, such as Windows OS, cloud platforms like O365, and hardware common laptop productivity software solutions.
• Experience with systems design and development from business requirements analysis through to day-to-day management.
• Demonstrated experience in developing business processes, managing staff, budgeting, and/or overseeing business office operations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply IT in solving business problems.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable laws and regulations as they relate to IT.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, organize work and work flow, and successfully implement new applications in an environment similar to the Providence School Department.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy & Planning:

• Collaborate with the Leadership Team at PPSD to formulate and deploy long-term strategic plans for acquiring and enabling efficient and cost-effective information processing and communication technologies.
• Manage IT department operational and strategic planning, including business requirements, project planning, and organizing and negotiating the allocation of resources.
• Guide business and IT leaders in making investment decisions that balance and prioritize current operational demands, disruptions, and opportunities with the longer-term strategic vision of the organization.
• Provide technology guidance, road maps, principles, standards, and best practices.

Operational Management:

• Provide administrative direction and coordination for the programs and activities of the information technology division, including educational technology, data systems, district-wide telecommunications network, non-print media services, and the installation and repair of electronic equipment, including computers.
• Provide for a professional development program in educational technology for administrators, teachers and staff; ensure training is provided in the evaluation of educational technology courseware and the use of published review resources; provide for user training and user support of computer hardware, peripherals, and software; ensure information technology security, training, programming, data collection, and report generation activities meet the needs of the district and its educational and business operations.
• Keep abreast of technological changes in hardware and software impacting the division and the district educational and business operations; review and analyze district-wide System enhancement requests and take action as appropriate.
• Direct the development, implementation and management of the district-wide telecommunications network, including wide and local area networks, voice, video and data communications.
• Support department initiatives and efforts for asset management as directed by the Chief Financial Officer, and/or Department policy and procedures.
• Direct the installation, repair, maintenance of computers used within the district; provide for cabling, network configuration, file serve configuration, setup and troubleshooting as needed.
• Serve as a system contact regarding Federal e-rate funding application process and procedures.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to safeguard the integrity and security of all district data and networked systems.
• Adheres to and communicates copyright as well as other laws and guidelines pertaining to the distribution of software and ethical use of all networked resources.
• Direct the dissemination, repair, destruction, evaluation, and record keeping of non-print media; ensure dissemination of appropriate materials for review by site chairmen in accordance with course offerings and compilation of evaluation responses.
• Interface with the user community in the development of tactical plans for new information systems, increasing administrative productivity, and improving quality of information.
• Plan and develop division goals and objectives to ensure that the technology-related mission and goals of the district are realized; develop and implement programs to accomplish goals objectives; evaluate programs for their effectiveness; take corrective action as necessary; evaluate programs for their effectiveness; administer division policies and procedures.
• Develop, recommend, and administer the division budget; oversee the preparation and administration of subsidiary department budgets; monitor and control related expenses.
• Assist in ensuring district-wide compliance with various licensing and copyright requirements.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Design and establish a Technology Department to ensure the district’s needs are met in the area of education, administration, installation and maintenance.
• Assist the schools in the development of a School Technology Plan.
• Establish and maintain cooperative professional working relationships in the performance of position responsibilities.
• Perform related duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of systems analysis, design, development, and implementation in a shared, data and information networking environment.
• Principles and practices of data processing program development, administration, and evaluation; programming languages, database management, and systems applications.
• Principles and practices of the establishment, installation, and maintenance of a district-wide telecommunications network.
• Principles and practices of the installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic equipment; operational characteristics and requirements of computer hardware and peripheral equipment; and evaluation and distribution of non-print media.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management including supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.