Chief Information Officer (IT)

District Information Technology, Surprise, AZ; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 89,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

District Information Technology in Surprise, AZ is seeking a Chief Information Officer (IT) to lead district-wide technology strategy, governance, and enterprise systems. The CIO will drive long-range planning, capital budgeting, vendor negotiations, and cybersecurity, ensuring alignment with educational and district priorities.

This senior role requires strong leadership and communication skills in a public K-12 setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) certification required.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (AZ IVP FPCC) fingerprint clearance card.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for planning, implementation, management, and continuous improvement of District-wide technology systems and initiatives.
• Develop and manage IT operating and capital budgets; lead long-range capital planning and procurement.
• Oversee cybersecurity, data privacy, disaster recovery, and incident response programs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Cybersecurity

Vendor Management

Budgeting

Communication

Team Building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / IT

CETL certification

AZ IVP FPCC

Job description

Dysart Unified School District District Information Technology, Surprise, AZ - Surprise, Arizona Open in Google Maps

Chief Information Officer (IT)

Dysart Unified School District District Information Technology, Surprise, AZ - Surprise, Arizona Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Dysart Unified School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5952467
Application Deadline: Oct 15, 2026 6:00 PM (Mountain Standard Time)
Posted: Oct 06, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

REPORTS TO

Assistant Superintendent for Business Services

STATUS

Exempt

SUPERVISES

Yes

DEPT

IT

FTE

1.0

WORK CALENDAR

253

SALARY

Administrative

Salary Schedule

APPROVED

REVISED

10/06/2026

SUMMARY: The Chief Information Officer provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for the development, implementation, and management of information technology initiatives that support the District’s educational, operational, and business objectives. The CIO is responsible for the planning, implementation, security, and continuous improvement of the District’s technology infrastructure, enterprise systems, services, and operations to enhance efficiency, cost effectiveness, service quality, innovation, and organizational effectiveness. This position leads long-range technology and capital planning, budget development and management, strategic procurement, vendor negotiations, and technology investments while ensuring alignment with District priorities. The CIO oversees cybersecurity, data privacy, disaster recovery, business continuity, and incident response and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and District requirements. Through collaboration with District leadership, the CIO ensures that technology resources and services effectively support the District’s mission, strategic goals, and long-term success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate as a member of the District’s leadership team in strategic, operational, financial, and technology governance and decision-making.
• Provide strategic leadership for the planning, implementation, management, and continuous improvement of District-wide technology systems, infrastructure, services, and initiatives in support of educational, operational, and business objectives.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the District’s long-range technology plan, ensuring alignment with the District’s mission, strategic priorities, instructional goals, and future academic and administrative needs.
• Establish and maintain an effective IT organizational structure, departmental goals, operating procedures, performance measures, and service standards.
• Develop and manage IT operating and capital budgets; lead long-range capital planning; identify funding opportunities; and ensure the responsible and cost-effective use of technology resources.
• Develop financial forecasts, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and technology lifecycle and replacement plans to support major technology investments and initiatives.
• Lead technology procurement, including vendor evaluation, contract review, negotiations, renewals, service-level agreements, and vendor performance management.
• Oversee the evaluation, selection, acquisition, implementation, integration, maintenance, and lifecycle management of District technology systems, applications, infrastructure, hardware, software, and services.
• Collaborate with District stakeholders to identify instructional, operational, administrative, and technology needs and ensure that technology solutions support District priorities.
• Establish and oversee cybersecurity, information security, data privacy, and technology governance programs that protect District systems, networks, data, and users.
• Develop and maintain data privacy and governance standards that ensure the appropriate collection, access, use, sharing, retention, and protection of District information in compliance with applicable federal, state, and District requirements.
• Direct cybersecurity risk assessments, security monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness efforts.
• Develop, test, and maintain District-wide disaster recovery, business continuity, and technology incident response plans to support the continuity and recovery of critical systems and services.
• Ensure reliable technology services through the monitoring of system performance, service levels, operational metrics, and customer service standards.
• Establish and communicate District-wide technology policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines for the acquisition, implementation, operation, security, and appropriate use of technology.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and District policies related to technology systems, services, procurement, and data management.
• Approve, prioritize, and monitor major technology projects, including system selection, acquisition, development, implementation, integration, and replacement.
• Provide oversight for software and application development, systems analysis, testing, documentation, integration, and ongoing support.
• Evaluate IT operations, staffing, organizational structure, and service delivery and implement improvements to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, evaluate, and retain IT personnel in accordance with District policies and budgetary objectives while promoting accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and high-quality service.
• Communicate the District’s technology vision, priorities, risks, investments, performance, and emerging needs to the Governing Board, Superintendent, senior leadership, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging technologies, cybersecurity threats, industry trends, pricing, and regulatory changes; assess their potential impact; and advise District leadership accordingly.
• Establish and maintain collaborative and professional relationships with District leadership, employees, vendors, government agencies, and partner organizations.
• Maintain high standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, confidentiality, transparency, and responsible stewardship of District resources and information.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications for this job description 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.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) certification required.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC)

Experince:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible information technology experience, including management or supervisory experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a K–12 educational environment
• Demonstrated experience leading an enterprise IT organization or major technology function, including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, cybersecurity, infrastructure, enterprise applications, and technology service delivery.
• Extensive experience with enterprise technology infrastructure, hardware and software platforms, enterprise applications, data management, cloud services, collaboration systems, outsourced technology solutions, and secure data backup, retention, and recovery.
• Experience leading systems design, integration, implementation, and lifecycle management from business requirements through ongoing operations and support.
• Proven experience in IT strategic planning, organizational development, project management, procurement, vendor management, and technology investment planning.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and District policies governing information technology, cybersecurity, data privacy, student information, records retention, accessibility, and technology use within a public K–12 education environment.
• Strong understanding of human resource management principles, practices, and procedures.
• Proven leadership ability.
• Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.
• Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional service orientation.
• Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require activities such as sitting, talking, hearing, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Light Work: This job may involve exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in an indoor, office environment; may require some moderate exposure to travel.

This information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

The Dysart Unified School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Dysart Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.

Position Type: Full-Time Benefited
Salary: $98,889 Per Year

Welcome to District Information Technology, Surprise, AZ

Dysart schools are among the top-rated in the state of Arizona. The district is home to the #8 ranked K-8 school in Arizona (Freedom Traditional Academy), three top 100 K-8 schools, and two top 50 high schools in the state. Overall, Dysart has 12 “A” rated and 10 “B” rated schools, 11 of which out-rank our local counterparts. Additionally, Freedom Traditional Academy has the highest test scores of any school in the cities of Surprise and El Mirage.Dysart Schools have been recognized both nationally and internationally with AdvancED Accreditation, and are dedicated to serving the needs of all children with high quality academic coursework, before-and after-school programs, and services for the entire community. Boasting a graduation rate that exceeds both the state and national average, the Dysart Unified School District prepares all students to be ready for college and career through excellence and success.Strong academics, arts, and athletic programs are an integral part of each school, and ensuring students are equipped with the skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities in a 21st Century society are at the heart of our mission and vision. Dysart Schools offers one of the largest selections of academic pathways in the state, allowing students a personalized learning experience while meeting Arizona Academic Standards. Opportunities include full-day kindergarten, Career and Technical Education, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, signature programs, and gifted and special education programs.Dysart provides students the opportunity to explore their artistic side through an expansive fine arts program, where students participate in a progressive, performance‑based curriculum that encourages them to reach their academic, creative, and expressive potential. Dysart students earned the second highest number of Arizona State Seals for Arts Proficiency across the state last year.Earning nine state championships in 2021‑2022, Dysart Schools are highly competitive in athletics, and offer …

Contact Information

• Dysart USD HR Department
• 15802 North Parkview Place
• Surprise, Arizona 85374
• Phone: (623) 876‑7000
• Email: [e-mail]

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