DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Full-time, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama insurance for medical, prescription, dental, and vision. Vacation, holidays, and sick leave. State Retirement. The Director of Information Technology at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) owns the delivery and day-to-day operational performance of the Center's information technology environment. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director translates enterprise technology strategy into executable operational plans and is accountable for the availability, integrity, and security of the networks, servers, business systems, and end-user services that support museum operations, Space Camp and educational programming, ticketing, retail and food service, and administrative functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Essential Functions 

 IT Service Delivery and Operations 

• Own the operational performance of all USSRC information systems, including service availability, incident response, problem management, and change control. 

• Establish, publish, and report against service levels for system availability and end-user support; maintain a functioning service desk intake, triage, and escalation process. 

• Direct the resolution of hardware, software, network, and application faults, ensuring minimal disruption to guest-facing operations, camp programming, and revenue systems. 

• Maintain accurate configuration, asset, and licensing inventories for all IT hardware, software, and subscriptions. 

• Develop, document, and enforce IT operating procedures, standards, and departmental policies consistent with enterprise policy approved by the Chief Financial Officer. 

 Infrastructure, Network, and Data Center 

• Manage the design, capacity, performance, and lifecycle of server, storage, virtualization, and backup infrastructure, whether on premises or cloud hosted. 

• Manage LAN, WAN, wireless, and external connectivity across the campus, including guest and trainee network segments, and maintain segmentation appropriate to each network's risk profile. 

• Oversee data center and server room environments, including power, cooling, physical access, and cable plant standards and documentation. 

• Manage the Center's telephone and unified communications systems, coordinating with the audiovisual and communications technology function on enterprise telecommunications planning. 

• Maintain current network diagrams, system documentation, and runbooks sufficient for another qualified technician to operate critical systems in the Director's absence. 

Business Systems and Applications 

• Ensure the integrity, availability, and supportability of core business applications, including Point of Sale, ticketing and admissions, camp registration, accounting, and payroll and human resources systems. 

• Serve as IT owner for system integrations and data flows between business applications, working with functional owners in Finance, Education, Retail, and Human Resources. 

• Perform and oversee SQL Server administration and develop queries and reports to satisfy operational and financial data requests. 

• Manage application upgrade, patch, and testing cycles, scheduling work to avoid disruption to peak operating periods and camp sessions. 

Security, Compliance, and Operational Risk 

• Implement and operate the technical controls that give effect to the Center's security program, working in close coordination with the Cyber Security Officer. 

• Administer identity and access management, including provisioning, role-based access, privileged account control, and prompt deprovisioning at separation. 

• Maintain operational compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements applicable to the Center's cardholder data environment and support annual assessment and attestation activity. 

• Support safeguarding of personally identifiable information, including records relating to minors participating in Center programs, and assist with privacy reviews and audits. 

• Maintain vulnerability management, patching, endpoint protection, and logging and monitoring practices; escalate identified risks with recommended remediation and cost. 

• Support security awareness training, delivery, and departmental compliance tracking. 

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery 

• Maintain, test, and document backup, restoration, and disaster recovery capabilities for all critical systems, including defined recovery time and recovery point objectives. 

• Conduct scheduled restoration tests and tabletop exercises and report results to the Chief Financial Officer. 

• Serve in the Center's incident response and emergency operations structure for technology-related events, including after-hours activation. 

Project and Program Delivery 

• Plan and deliver IT projects, system upgrades, and technology implementations on schedule and within approved budget, using consistent project management practices. 

• Prepare requirements, scopes of work, and technical evaluation criteria for technology procurements. 

• Evaluate emerging technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence capabilities, and recommend adoption where a defensible operational or financial case exists. 

Budget, Procurement, and Vendor Management 

• Prepare and administer the annual IT operating and capital budget in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer and the Finance department; monitor expenditures and explain variances. 

• Manage IT vendors and service providers against contract terms, service levels, and renewal calendars, escalating contract negotiation and execution to the Chief Financial Officer consistent with Commission purchasing authority. 

• Ensure procurement activity complies with applicable State of Alabama purchasing and bid requirements and with Commission policy. 

• Identify cost efficiencies and consolidation opportunities and recommend reinvestment of savings into modernization priorities. 

 Team Leadership and Staff Management 

• Supervise the staff and assign information systems staff, including network administrators, systems administrators, and service desk technicians. 

• Manage hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance appraisal, coaching, and corrective action in coordination with Human Resources. 

• Ensure staff receive relevant technical and compliance training and maintain required certifications. 

• Maintain adequate coverage for 24x7 operations, including on-call rotation, holiday and weekend coverage, and cross-training sufficient to avoid single points of failure in staff knowledge. 

• Foster clear and regular communication within the department so that staff are informed of operational priorities and organizational information. 

Records, Data Governance, and Legal Support 

• Support electronic discovery and litigation hold requirements, preserving and producing records for legal review as directed. 

• Support public records and open records requests involving electronic records, in coordination with Center leadership and counsel. 

• Maintain retention and disposition practices for electronic records consistent with applicable State of Alabama records retention requirements. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Guest Experience 

• Partner with Education, Operations, Retail, Food Service, Marketing, Development, and Finance to understand operational needs and deliver technology that supports them. 

• Support integrated guest and trainee experience initiatives spanning online, on-site, and hybrid channels, including ticketing, registration, and loyalty systems. 

• Coordinate with the AV Manager on systems that span IT and AV domains, including exhibit media, digital signage, theater and simulator systems, and networked show control. 

• Coordinate with the Property and Insurance Security team on networked physical security systems, including security camera infrastructure and access control, and with Operations on mobile radio and emergency notification technology. 

Communication 

• Communicate clearly and professionally, in writing and verbally, with executive leadership, staff at all technical levels, vendors, contractors, and external partners. 

• Translate technical risk and cost into terms that support executive decision-making. 

• Provide timely, accurate status reporting during outages and security incidents. 

Other Functions 

Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer, including participation in operational analyses, audits, and process improvement initiatives such as retail inventory and accountability audits and point-of-sale efficiency reviews. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Level of Supervision: Manages a team of varied skill levels within the information systems function. Reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and may be designated to act on the CFO’s behalf on information technology matters. 

Travel Required 

Limited. Occasional travel for training, conferences, and vendor or partner engagements. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field. 

An additional four years of directly relevant progressive IT experience may be substituted for the degree requirement at the discretion of the Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources. 

Preferred Education and Certification 

• Master’s degree in information technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field. 

• Relevant professional certification, such as CISSP, CISM, PMP, ITIL, Microsoft, or Cisco credentials. 

Required Experience 

• Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in information technology or information systems operations, including at least four years at the supervisory or management level. 

• Demonstrated experience managing enterprise network and server infrastructure, including LAN and WAN, server operating systems, virtualization, and backup and recovery. 

• Demonstrated experience administering Microsoft Windows Server and client operating systems, Active Directory, and Microsoft 365 or equivalent enterprise productivity platforms. 

• Experience supporting business-critical applications, including Point of Sale and financial or accounting systems. 

• Working knowledge of information security principles and practical experience implementing security controls, access management, and patch and vulnerability management. 

• Experience preparing and managing departmental budgets and managing vendor relationships and service contracts. 

• Demonstrated project management capability on infrastructure or application projects. 

• SQL Server administration and query development. 

• Ability to instruct and train staff and end users in the operation of hardware, systems, and applications. 

Preferred Experience 

• Experience in a public sector, state agency, nonprofit, museum, attraction, or hospitality environment with seasonal staffing fluctuations and public-facing revenue operations. 

• Experience maintaining PCI DSS compliance in a merchant environment. 

• Experience with networked AV, show control, or exhibit media systems. 

• Experience with physical security technology, including IP camera and access control systems. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

Physical Requirements 

The following are the physical demands of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. 

• Sitting for extended periods (four to eight hours) at a workstation. 

• Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, hand tools, and test equipment. 

• Walking and climbing stairs to access other departments and buildings across the campus. 

• Occasionally lifting and carrying equipment and supplies up to 40 pounds to waist height, with assistance available for heavier items. 

• Bending, kneeling, and reaching to install, maintain, or repair computer and network equipment and to store or retrieve supplies. 

• Visual acuity sufficient to read technical documentation, schematics, and computer displays, and to handle documents. 

• Hearing and speaking sufficient to instruct employees and communicate with staff, vendors, and service providers in person and by telephone. 

• Occasionally climbing ladders and working in confined spaces such as cable runs, ceiling spaces, and equipment closets. 

• Availability for after-hours response, which may require flexibility in physical and mental demands during outages, security incidents, or other critical events. 

Eligibility Qualifications 

• Must be authorized to work in the United States. Employment is contingent on successful completion of E-Verify confirmation. 

• Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check appropriate to a position with privileged access to Center systems, financial systems, and records relating to minors participating in Center programs. 

• Valid driver's license. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Environmental Factors 

Office Environment: 

• Primarily a climate-controlled office setting with quiet to moderate noise levels, typical of administrative work, including budgeting, planning, and staff supervision. 

Data Center and Server Room: 

• Regular visits to server rooms and data center spaces where temperature and humidity are tightly regulated, and equipment noise is present, requiring the ability to work in such environments for sustained periods. 

On-Site Technical and Campus Work: 

• Movement between departments, exhibit areas, theaters, camp habitats, and outbuildings to inspect infrastructure, troubleshoot systems, and supervise installation and maintenance work. 

• Occasional work outdoors or in locations without climate control to meet operational requirements. 

• Regular interaction with staff, guests, trainees, and vendors in public-facing areas of the Center. 

On-Call and Emergency Work: 

• After-hours work is required during system outages, security incidents, major implementations, and other urgent matters, responding either on-site or remotely as the situation requires. 

Expected Hours of Work 

IT operations at USSRC run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is a full-time exempt position. The incumbent is generally expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week, with additional hours as necessary to meet operational requirements, including participation in an on-call rotation and periodic work on evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

DISCLAIMERS  

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer   

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. 

Duties and Responsibilities May Change with or Without Notice  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.