Assistant Director - Information Technology

Information Technology Director

Assist in the administration and oversight of countywide information technology operations, services, personnel, projects, and resources. Provide leadership for core IT functions and supports the delivery of secure, reliable, and effective technology solutions that advance county operations and service delivery. Assist with strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, vendor management, and regulatory compliance.

Essential duties include:

• Strategic Planning
• • Assist in planning, coordinating, and prioritizing major technology initiatives, upgrades, implementations, and operational improvements.
  • Help establish and enforce IT governance, operational procedures, technical standards, and security policies.
  • Assist in developing and administering the IT budget, capital requests, contracts, software licensing, and procurement activities.
  • Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.
  • Manage IT department operational and strategic planning, including business requirements, project planning, and organizing and negotiating the allocation of resources.
  • Direct research on potential technology solutions and implementations in support of new initiatives, opportunities, and procurement efforts.
  • Benchmark, analyze, report on, and make recommendations for the improvement of the IT infrastructure and IT systems.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, records retention requirements, cybersecurity obligations, and audit recommendations.
• Acquisition & Deployment
• • Authorize and oversee the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, and support of all hardware and software based on department needs.
  • Manage and oversee assigned IT projects from initiation to completion, ensuring they meet deadlines, budget constraints, and quality standards.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project implementation.
  • Manage relationships with key vendors and ensure timely acquisition of resources, delivery of services, and technical support.
  • Facilitate the delivery of user training programs to ensure effective technology adoption.
  • Collaborate with elected offices, county departments, public safety stakeholders, courts, and external partners to assess business needs and deliver technology services.
  • Help develop and implement the department's strategic goals, technology roadmaps, service standards, and performance measures.
  • Implement and enforce all IT policies and procedures, including those for architecture, security, disaster recovery, standards, purchasing, and service provision.
• Operational Management
• • Monitor project progress, identify and mitigate risks, and report on project status.
  • Oversee daily operations related to network infrastructure, servers, cloud services, endpoint management, telecommunications, enterprise applications, and user support.
  • Review performance of IT systems to determine operating costs, productivity levels, and upgrade requirements.
  • Define and communicate project milestones, service level agreements, and resource allocation to executive team, department leads, support staff, and end users.
  • Evaluate requests for all hardware and software purchases / upgrades, and review submitted solutions for compliance with stated requirements.
  • Assist with negotiation and administration of vendor, outsourcer, and consultant contracts and service agreements.
  • Monitor vendor performance, negotiate within delegated authority, and ensure compliance with service agreements and contract requirements.
  • Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organization's executives, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent IT activities.
  • Coordinate operational readiness for emergency response, continuity of operations, and recovery of critical systems.
  • Support county cybersecurity efforts, including security controls, incident response coordination, user awareness, vulnerability management, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
• Leadership
• • Serve as acting IT Director in the Director's absence or as assigned.
  • Assist in directing countywide IT operations, service delivery, and technical support functions.
  • Supervise and evaluate assigned managers, supervisors, technical staff, contractors, and consultants.
  • Manage IT staffing, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and disciplinary actions.
  • Mentor employees and conduct coaching, counseling, and disciplinary action as needed.
  • Prepare reports, presentations, recommendations, and briefing materials for executive leadership, commissioners, and internal stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible information technology experience, including at least two (2) years in a full-time supervisory or management role. Must also possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience managing enterprise-level technology projects.
• Valid driver's license. Must maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy. Must have or become certified in CompTIA Security+ and ITIL 4 (or equivalent) within 12 months of hire. Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, CAPM, PPM, Project+, etc.) are a plus.
• Must pass NCIC background and driving record check.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the position include:

• Principles, practices, and trends in information technology management, strategic planning, and governance.
• Enterprise IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, cloud services, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and end-user computing.
• Systems analysis, design, implementation, integration, and lifecycle management.
• Information security principles, cybersecurity frameworks, vulnerability management, disaster recovery, and incident response.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and best practices governing information technology operations and security, including CJIS, HIPAA, FERPA, and NIST frameworks.
• Project management principles, methodologies, and practices.
• Software application development, implementation, and administration.
• Database administration and data management principles.
• Human resource management principles, practices, and procedures.
• Organizational management, business processes, and operational improvement strategies.
• Planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating information technology operations, services, projects, and resources.
• Leading, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating technical and professional staff.
• Analyzing complex technical, operational, and organizational issues and developing effective solutions.
• Managing multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Budget development, fiscal administration, procurement, contract administration, and vendor management.
• Preparing and presenting technical and administrative reports, policies, procedures, and recommendations.
• Communicating effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Building collaborative partnerships and providing responsive customer service.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for information technology initiatives and services.
• Translate organizational needs into effective technology solutions.
• Make sound decisions and exercise independent judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department directors, employees, vendors, and external partners.
• Present technical concepts and recommendations in a clear, concise, and business-friendly manner.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented work environment.
• Learn, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies and industry best practices.
• Apply technology solutions to improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery.

Compensation Range: $81,328.00 - $132,704.00

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request