Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full benefits

This professional, executive leadership position is responsible for the overall direction, vision, and strategy and of Interagency Information Technologies (IIT) and the services IIT provides to all areas of Frederick County Government. The Chief Information Officer provides direction and oversight of the following: the design and operation of the data, voice and wireless networks interconnecting County locations and users; multiple data centers; a complex suite of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and internally developed applications; and other IIT services such as geographic information systems (GIS), information security, public safety systems, and help desk/end-point support. The role also includes collaboration with the IT organizations of Frederick Community College (FCC), Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS), Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL), and numerous municipalities.
This position serves at the pleasure of the County Executive. Supervision is given to professional and support staff. Supervision is received from the Chief Administrative Officer.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover 
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service (effective 7/1/2024)
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, etc.

• Develop, execute, and modify the County’s IIT Strategic Plan and set the overall direction for IIT through prioritizing major projects. Provide long range strategies and system plans for user departments to meet the operational needs of the county agencies. Propose and recommend plans for the direction and coordination of technology requirements for and between Frederick County Government, 12 municipalities, FCC, FCPS and FCPL
• Research operational efficiencies and advise the County Executive on government performance improvements associated with technology. Advise the County Executive, County Council and other key County officials on technology and communication issues and trends. Provide information to executive members of the Frederick County Government, FCC, FCPS and FCPL on overall technology requirements, promoting software and hardware selections that will result in optimal use and coordination of all user needs
• Oversee all facets of staff hiring, evaluation process, supervision, and management. Evaluate and monitor staffing requirements and personnel needs within IIT; oversee professional development and training for a best-practice IIT staff and operation
• Develop, coordinate, monitor and administer IIT capital and operating budgets; recommend budgetary changes in the funding of information technology projects to the County Executive and County Council, as appropriate
• Coordinate service needs between system/technology users to facilitate cost efficiency and technological compatibility. Provide voice, video conferencing and wireless technology services to users. Direct the review system for evaluation and approval of user requests
• Direct and coordinate the purchase and documentation of software and hardware acquisitions; set product standards to be applied County-wide for user hardware, software, networks, and associated equipment
• Develop and maintain information systems consistent with government methods and practices, as well as the diverse operating needs of the offices and agencies served. Manage the effectiveness of multiple computer platforms to ensure high level of efficiency, quality, and availability
• Develop cybersecurity planning and back up for loss of data and systems through theft, fire, internal or external intrusion (hackers) or other catastrophes
• Design necessary procedures to implement new legislation, prevent misuse, combat viruses, and maintain a high performing and secure network
• Establish a standard process for information technology project management, including requirements for project initiation and review, parameters for agency contracts with information technology vendors, and reporting requirements to facilitate monitoring or project implementation
• Participate in needs analyses as well as studies of problems and prepare recommendations
• Monitor all approved technology projects; direct the suspension or general shutdown of projects having difficulties in resolving issues related to scope, schedule, or budget
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources and other divisions to support a diverse and inclusive IIT team and FCG workforce
• Optimize technology to support FCG’s diversity/equity/inclusion/belonging efforts, including the collection and analysis of data and including efforts to increase the inclusion and accessibility of the County’s operations, services, and workforce
• Represent the IIT Division to other public and private organizations
• Perform other duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or a closely related field 
• Minimum 15 years progressively responsible management work experience in the field of information systems, which must include the following:
  • Minimum 6 years supervisory work experience in supporting multiple platforms
  • Minimum 6 years of budgetary and administrative work experience

 
 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Extensive knowledge of management of a large-scale centralized information technology group
• Extensive knowledge of management practices and procedures, including those related to planning, budgeting, personnel, purchasing and acquisitions, contracts and capital improvement expenditures, and general administration
• Considerable knowledge or ability to acquire such knowledge of local government operations, financing, legislative requirements, and administrative procedures
• Ability to maintain comprehensive knowledge of current global technology trends and environment, and to identify hardware, software, and techniques appropriate to improve IIT user services
• Ability to effectively plan, coordinate and implement large-scale, complex software systems (Infor, Munis, etc.) to effectively integrate complex projects, system and user requirements, and budgeting constraints
• Ability to effectively evaluate information technology requests for feasibility and effectiveness
• Ability to effectively recognize and correct system design flaws and recommend alternative designs
• Ability to effectively supervise and evaluate the work of professional and support staff members 
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials and administrators, vendors, staff, system users and the public.
• Ability to challenge, encourage, and sustain a cohesive team of IT professionals with varying degrees of education and experience
• Ability to foster open relationships with County peers and partners while maintaining a consistent and assertive technology posture
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to present complex information in laymen's terms to varied audiences, and to prepare clear, concise reports and related documents

 PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Related work experience in local, State or Federal government 
• A related advanced degree
• Current technical management certifications

 
 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is constantly sitting and frequently making repetitive motions
• While working in this position, the employee is constantly working indoors

• Available for available for other working hours (evening and/or weekend) as needed to accommodate meetings and, other division commitments
• Ability to provide own transportation to other locations, as needed
• This position is designated as security-sensitive and requires a satisfactory background investigation, conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, in accordance with established Frederick County policy

 
EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment Security-Sensitive background investigation conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office