Chief Information Officer

City of Monterey; Monterey (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Monterey seeks an innovative Chief Information Officer to lead the Information Services Division, guiding technology strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and digital transformation for the city.

You will oversee IT operations, major projects, budgeting, and governance, partnering with departments to deliver secure, reliable, cost-effective solutions that enhance public services and operational efficiency. This is a high-visibility role in a dynamic California city.

Qualifications

• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in information technology management or enterprise technology leadership.
• Three years in a senior management role responsible for IT strategy, operations, budgets, and staff supervision.
• Experience in a government, municipal, public agency, or large enterprise environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and administer the City's Information Services, including enterprise technology operations, infrastructure, networks and telecommunications systems.
• Direct the City's cybersecurity, information security, enterprise risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and emergency technology planning programs.
• Develop and implement the City's Information Technology Strategic Plan by collaborating with departments to identify business needs, evaluate emerging technologies, prioritize investments, and implement secure, cost-effective solutions.

Skills

Cybersecurity frameworks

Risk management

Enterprise architecture

Data governance

Digital government

Leadership & budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Public Administration, or related

Job description

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The City of Monterey is seeking an innovative and strategic technology leader to serve as its next Chief Information Officer (CIO). Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the CIO leads the Information Services Division and is responsible for the City's technology strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and digital transformation initiatives.

This position oversees technology operations, major IT projects, budgeting, and technology governance while partnering with departments to deliver secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions that enhance City services and improve operational efficiency.

For planning purposes, panel interviews are scheduled for October 12, 2026 and will be conducted virtually. Final interviews are scheduled for October 23, 2026, and will be conducted in person.

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY:

Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its own conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

WHY WORK FOR US?

The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Monterey is committed to delivering excellent public services and fostering a workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented groups.

The City of Monterey does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected category.

SUMMARY:

The Chief Information Officer is responsible for leading, managing, and administering the City's Information Services Division. Responsibilities include developing and implementing the City’s Information Technology Strategic Plan; overseeing technology project management, the application portfolio, budgeting and procurement; establishing information technology governance and policies, and directing information systems strategy, cybersecurity and digital resilience. The Chief Information Officer provides strategic leadership for the City's digital transformation initiatives, including enhancing public service delivery, promoting transparency, advancing data-driven governance, supporting smart city initiatives, and improving operational efficiency.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Chief Information Officer is a management-level position within the Information Services Division that receives general direction from the Assistant City Manager. This position oversees the Division and exercises direct and indirect supervision over subordinate staff. This classification is distinguished from other Information Services Division management classifications as the City’s highest-level Information Technology position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, organize, direct, and administer the City's Information Services, including enterprise technology operations, infrastructure, networks and telecommunications systems, enterprise applications, project portfolio management, customer support services.
• Direct the City's cybersecurity, information security, enterprise risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and emergency technology planning programs.
• Develop and implement the City's Information Technology Strategic Plan by collaborating with departments to identify business needs, evaluate emerging technologies, prioritize technology investments, and implement innovative, secure, and cost-effective solutions that improve organizational effectiveness and public service delivery.
• Plan, assign, supervise, develop, and evaluate Information Services staff; establish work priorities and promote a collaborative, customer-focused work environment.
• Establish and maintain citywide technology governance, enterprise architecture, data governance, policies, standards, and procedures; advise City leadership on technology strategy, investments, priorities, and enterprise technology initiatives.
• Develop and administer citywide technology operational and capital budgets; oversee technology procurement activities, requests for proposals, contract negotiations, vendor performance, and technology investments to ensure effective stewardship of City resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Lead the City's digital transformation initiatives by enhancing digital services, promoting transparency, supporting data-driven decision-making, and advancing smart city technologies.
• Establish and monitor technology performance measures, service levels, and customer service standards to ensure reliable and effective delivery of information services.
• Coordinate technology initiatives with regional, state, federal, and external partners; serve as the Emergency Operations Center Information Technology Unit Leader during emergency operations.
• Travel is an essential function of this position. The incumbent must be able to travel regularly between City facilities and other work‑related locations to respond to emergency operations, critical technology outages, cybersecurity incidents, and other operational needs, as well as to attend meetings and other work‑related events.
• Support the relationship between the City of Monterey and external customers by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of work‑related issues and City information.
• Perform other job‑related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), or a closely related graduate degree in technology management is highly desirable.

Experience:Eight years of progressively responsible experience in information technology management or enterprise technology leadership; Three years in a senior management role responsible for IT strategy, operations, budgets, and staff supervision. Experience in a government, municipal, public agency, or large enterprise environment is desirable.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

LICENSE

• Possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's automobile insurance program.

CERTIFICATION

• Certifications in Information Systems, Project Management, and Cybersecurity (ITIL, PMP, CISM, CISSP, or equivalent) are desirable.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• Cybersecurity frameworks and best practices (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls).
• Information security risk management, incident response, and vulnerability management.
• Regulatory and compliance requirements impacting public sector IT (e.g., CJIS, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, state data privacy laws).
• Principles of enterprise architecture, cloud computing, systems integration, enterprise applications, and modern technology infrastructure.
• Data governance, data management, business intelligence, analytics, visualization, and open data principles.
• Digital government, user-centered service delivery, transparency, and technology modernization practices.
• IT service management principles, including service level management, incident response, problem management, and change management.
• Public sector procurement, technology contract administration, vendor management, and software licensing.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery
• Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity, and modernization trends affecting local government.
• Principles and practices of public administration, management, supervision, employee development, budgeting, fiscal management, project management, and organizational leadership.
• Database set-up, design, and implementation.

Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment.

Skill in: