Gary, IN – Chief Technology Officer

PURPOSE STATEMENT
This position plans, coordinates, and directs all technology activities of the district and organizes external and internal resources to provide efficient and effective service to all district customers; provides assistance in improving organizational activities through improved methods and techniques.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed by this position.

• Develops and manages the information technology strategic plan and reports progress to other directors, key stakeholders and the Technology Advisory Committee for the purpose of long term planning and transparent communications.
• Produces innovative options and solutions to complex technology and organizational problems with limited resources.
• Collaborates closely with the district’s teaching and learning teams for the purpose of developing, promoting and maintaining a positive educational program that meets the needs of all instructional staff.
• Plans and directs the strategic use of instructional technology for the purpose of ensuring that future use of district-wide instructional technology is viable and meets the needs of all learners.
• Maintains familiarity with the latest advances in technology for the purpose of implementing programs and effective practices in educational applications and maintaining in-depth knowledge regarding educational uses of technology.
• Develops and administers annual budgets for district-wide technology.
• Collaborates with others for the purpose of implementing and maintaining technology related services and/or programs to all departments.
• Reviews proposals for the purpose of changes to existing systems, recommending updates, enhancements or replacements and collaborating with other departments to develop functional requirements and assessing alternative solutions.
• Plans and prepares departmental and other technology-related budgets, authorizes staff and vendor payment, and monitors budgeting expenditures for the purpose of financial analysis and planning.
• Works closely with other directors and key stakeholders for the purpose of ensuring that the district’s technology vision, strategies, and tactics support the mission and priority needs of the district.
• Annually updates the district’s three-year technology plan and related budget projections for the purpose of writing realistic annual goals that include current district priorities.
• Oversees the district’s participation in the state’s K-20 network including video conferencing for the purpose of ensuring the District’s collaboration and participation in the statewide networks.
• Provides technical input for purpose of maintaining state-of-the-art voice, video, and data telecommunications and networking requirements for design and construction of new school buildings as well as remodels.
• Negotiates and reviews contracts with outside vendors and governmental agencies for the purpose of securing the most cost effective technology solutions for the district, for critical inclusions and exclusions, and ensuring review by district business office and/or risk manager.
• Recommends and/or establishes, distributes, and enforces district and department policies, procedures and standards for the purpose of ensuring due process, equity and fairness.
• Collaborates with other departments for the purpose of leading the technology acquisition processes, evaluating acquisitions, preparing bid specifications, evaluating bids, and arranging for installation and training.
• Develops project schedules and priorities to include: requirements, scope, risk mitigation, tracking, and reporting.
• Identifies potential areas of improvement for the purpose of implementing new and improved systems and technologies, evaluating and researching proposed systems and recommends appropriate action.
• Prepares and administers technology-related federal, state, and local grants and other outside funding sources for the purpose of compliance.
• Represents the district in out-of-district technology-related issues, makes community, school, staff and other group presentations for the purpose of transparent communications and community outreach.
• Supervises the installation, operation, support for all telecommunications, LAN, WAN, and associated networks for the purpose of consistent and reliable operations of the technical infrastructures (WAN, LAN and Wireless), telecommunications network, Internet and Intranets, servers, telephone system, computer connectivity, and software applications.
• Supervises and provides direction for assigned staff for the purpose of making hiring recommendations, evaluating, commending and disciplining employees; approving leave requests and overtime, assigning and reviewing work, and directing focused participation in professional development.
• Professionally interacts with students, staff, and members of the public.
• Complies with all district policies and Code of Professional Conduct.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective working environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
All assigned staff.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge of:

• Reviewing and interpreting highly technical information, writing technical materials and/or speaking persuasively to implement desired actions, and analyzing situations to define issues and draw conclusions.
• Developing and managing large budgets and multiple projects simultaneously.

Skill in:

• Using a computer and related software applications.
• Using modern office equipment.
• Performing multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.

Ability to:

• Schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events and routinely gather, collate, classify and analyze data using a number of processes and software applications.
• Complete problem analysis, determine solution options, make decisions and implement regardless of time of day or concurrent responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multicultural and diverse socio-economic setting.
• Maintain confidentiality per district policy and state and federal laws.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communications; organizational and time management skills; conflict resolution skills and awareness of current and developing technology.  Examples of creative, innovative and collaborative problem solving.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor or Master’s degree in technology, business field or educational administration. Additional qualifying work experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Director level experience leading a multi-group staff of technology professionals, or experience and training which demonstrates the ability to lead such an organization.

CERTIFICATION
None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work:  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Testing