Information Systems Director

Eau-Claire-County-1; Eau Claire (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Information Systems Director at Eau Claire County plans, organizes, and directs all activities of the Information Systems Department, overseeing technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, networks, databases, and enterprise applications. The role acts as CIO and advisor to County leadership on strategy, policy, compliance and modernization initiatives.

Position requires strategic planning, budgeting, staff management, and collaboration with multiple departments and external entities to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in computer science, MIS, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible IT experience applicable to the role.
• Five (5) years of supervisory management experience in an Information Systems setting.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and directs all activities of the Information Systems Department.
• Leads the cybersecurity strategy using the NIST framework and reports on security posture.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Stakeholder liaison

Cybersecurity strategy

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/MIS or related field

Master’s degree in CS/Business or related field

Job description

The Information Systems Director plans, organizes, and directs all activities of the Information Systems Department for Eau Claire County, including technology infrastructure and systems, cybersecurity, networks, telecommunications, databases, enterprise applications, cloud and data services, disaster recovery, vendor management, budgets, and IT staff. This position serves as Chief Information Officer and staff advisor to the County Board, County Administrator, and various other departments and agencies on all information services, technology strategy, policy development, compliance, and modernization initiatives.

• Applies ability to plan and develop departmental goals and objectives; develops, leads, and manages short-range, long-range, and strategic planning; develops and maintains divisional plans; assists in the department\'s site preparedness and security, and the continued maintenance thereof.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge of information systems principles, practices, and methodologies, including analysis, design, operation, and maintenance. Applies that knowledge to research, evaluate, and recommend improvements to procedures that support effective administration and governance of the County Information Systems Plan; updates the Plan as needed to reflect current and emerging needs.
• Leads the County\'s cybersecurity strategy by applying the NIST framework, identifying improvement opportunities based on emerging threats, and reporting on the County\'s security posture to leadership. Ensures all information systems comply with federal, state, and local regulations, digital accessibility standards, open-records obligations, and internal security policies. Serves as County Security Officer, approving State application access requests and resolving security-related issues.
• Executes ability to direct, supervise, motivate, and evaluate the work of others utilizing sound personnel management practices and principles; participates in decisions on hiring, retention, discipline, and other personnel matters; supervises and manages activities of staff that includes determining work procedures and schedules, and developing methods for expediting workflow; approves employee requests for leave and overtime as required by operational necessity; evaluates employee performance; coaches, and counsels staff to achieve improved performance and productivity; recommends corrective disciplinary action as needed; identifies individual training needs in order to achieve greater departmental performance and productivity.
• Directs skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems, and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues to maintain communications infrastructure; serves as the County representative on the Chippewa Valley Internetworking Consortium to develop essential communications infrastructure for emergency services and broadband coverage; coordinates daily operations of existing applications and systems to ensure a stable and reliable technology infrastructure and computing environment.
• Utilizes fiscal management and budgeting skills to prepare, monitor, and justify departmental budget, based on staffing and resource requirements, cost estimates, Countywide objectives, and departmental goals.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with stakeholders; provides technical consultation and customer support, coordinating technology needs and implementation, researching technical issues, and resolving technology problems to all County departments and committees in the area of information systems; serves as the key liaison with the County Board regarding information services issues; directs provision of information systems training on a countywide basis; coordinates with the City of Eau Claire and other entities to jointly develop and implement systems; provides County representation regarding information services related issues on various committees and before special interest and other community groups.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

• Bachelor\'s degree in computer science, management information systems, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional level experience in Information Technology directly applicable to the requirements of the position.
• Five (5) years of supervisory management experience in an Information Systems setting.

• Master’s degree in computer science, business administration, or related field.
• Prior experience in a public sector setting, preferably with a municipality.
• Experience with industry standard network, server, applications, and database platforms.
• Cybersecurity leadership training and security certification are preferred.
• Familiarity with industry standard development platforms.