Digital Innovation Specialist

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

Job summary

Van Buren County seeks to lead the responsible use of AI in its Digital Information Department and the DICE initiative. The role involves working with multiple departments to identify needs, evaluate options, and implement improvements using AI, automation, and existing tools, alongside occasional custom development or integration work with the software engineer.

You will configure tools, build practical workflows, conduct pilots, and train staff to verify outputs and sustain effective use

Qualifications

• Experience applying AI tools to real-world operations and building practical workflows.
• Ability to configure tools, test workflows, and evaluate results.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and training skills for diverse audiences.
• Understanding of data quality, privacy, and responsible AI use.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with departments to map workflows and identify value opportunities.
• Evaluate AI/automation tools for accuracy, usability, cost, and data handling.
• Configure tools, build workflows, and document reusable prompts and resources.
• Lead pilots with clear objectives, baselines, and evaluation criteria; decide on expansion or revision.
• Train staff and support adoption by addressing barriers and providing practical guidance.

Skills

AI tool configuration

Workflow design

Pilot testing

Staff training

Change management

Data quality awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, information technology, data science, education, GIS, or related field

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)