Digital Innovation Specialist

Van Buren Company; Paw Paw (MI); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Van Buren Company is seeking a forward-thinking AI program lead to head the practical and responsible use of AI in local government through the Digital Information Department and DICE. You will coordinate with departments to identify needs, evaluate options, and implement improvements using AI, automation, or process changes as appropriate.

The role combines hands-on tool configuration, workflow building, pilot evaluation, staff training, and adoption support, collaborating with IT and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, information technology, data science, GIS, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to apply AI tools, configure practical solutions, build and test workflows, and evaluate results.
• Ability to analyze operational needs, select appropriate approaches, organize projects, and carry improvements through implementation and sustained use.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and training skills, including explaining unfamiliar concepts to nontechnical audiences and supporting organizational change.
• Working understanding of AI limitations, verification, data quality, confidentiality, and responsible use; sound judgment about when specialized review is needed.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to learn and critically evaluate changing tools and methods.

Responsibilities

• Understand operations, map workflows, and prioritize improvements based on service value, feasibility, risk, and resources.
• Evaluate AI/automation tools through hands-on testing for accuracy, usability, cost, and data handling.
• Configure tools, build workflows, document, and prototype with department users.
• Lead pilots with objectives, baseline measures, and evaluation criteria; decide on expansion or discontinuation.
• Train staff and provide practical guidance to ensure adoption and proper use.
• Define requirements for projects needing custom development or integrations; coordinate with leadership and developers.
• Coordinate privacy, security, records handling, and policy reviews with IT and staff.
• Establish ongoing ownership and support for each solution, including access management and updates.
• Track adoption, service quality, and costs; share progress with leadership and partners.

Skills

Communication

Facilitation

Training

Analytical thinking

AI tool usage

Adaptability

Learning ability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Department:Digital Information
Job Status:Full-Time
Rate of Pay:$72,139.55 - $87,937.71

JOB SUMMARY

Spearhead the practical and responsible use of AI in local government through the Digital Information Department and Digital Innovation Collaborative Exchange (DICE). Work with departments and participating governments to identify needs, evaluate options, and implement sustained improvements using AI, automation, existing tools, or process changes as appropriate. The position combines hands‑on tool configuration and workflow building with pilot evaluation, staff training, and adoption support, collaborating with the software engineer/developer when custom development or integrations are needed.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Work with departments to understand operations, map workflows, and prioritize improvements based on service value, feasibility, risk, and available resources. Recommend the approach best suited to each need.
• Evaluate emerging AI and automation tools through hands‑on testing. Assess accuracy, usability, accessibility, cost, data handling, and fit with county operations.
• Configure approved tools and build, test, document, and refine practical workflows, reusable prompts, knowledge resources, and prototypes with department users.
• Lead pilots with clear objectives, baseline measures, evaluation criteria, and appropriate human review. Recommend expansion, revision, or discontinuation based on results.
• Train and coach employees, develop practical guidance, and support departmental champions. Help staff verify outputs, address adoption barriers, and sustain effective use.
• Define requirements and user acceptance criteria for projects needing custom development or integrations. Coordinate scope, timing, and developer capacity with the Director and software engineer/developer before committing to delivery; lead user testing and adoption.
• Coordinate privacy, security, records handling, and policy reviews with IT and other designated staff. Help departments identify authoritative information and improve its quality for AI use.
• Before rollout, establish ongoing ownership and support for each solution, including workflows built without custom code. Assign responsibility for access management, troubleshooting, updates, documentation, and continuity.
• Track adoption, service quality, accuracy, staff time, and costs; distinguish demonstrated results from estimates. Share progress, lessons, and reusable materials with leadership and DICE partners.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, information technology, data science, education, GIS, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to apply AI tools, configure practical solutions, build and test workflows, and evaluate results. Experience may be demonstrated through employment, independent projects, or a portfolio.
• Ability to analyze operational needs, select appropriate approaches, organize projects, and carry improvements through implementation and sustained use.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and training skills, including explaining unfamiliar concepts to nontechnical audiences and supporting organizational change.
• Working understanding of AI limitations, verification, data quality, confidentiality, and responsible use; sound judgment about when specialized review is needed.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to learn and critically evaluate changing tools and methods.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen. Applicant must complete County application form.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Reports: None
Delegation of Work: Not applicable
Supervision Given: Not applicable
Reports To: This position reports to the DID Director

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position works in a typical office environment using standard office equipment such as telephone, computer, copier and fax machine. No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions (such as in a typical office)