IT Operations Manager

Arizona Department of Administration; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 paid holidays

Paid Vacation and Sick time

Health insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Arizona State Land Department is seeking an IT Operations Manager to lead a team responsible for supporting the department's IT systems, security, and infrastructure. The role focuses on overseeing servers, networks, and security while driving cost-effective technology solutions.

The position requires experience in IT leadership, security governance, and collaboration with agency leadership. A hybrid remote option may be available after onboarding, with work conducted primarily on site in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of related IT management or leadership experience.
• Leadership or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manages system administrators and staff responsible for server infrastructure, security, networks, and daily ops.
• Serve as lead Information Security Officer; ensure compliance with policies and apply security controls.
• Provide PC and software installation, resolve help desk tickets, and support cloud resources.
• Develop IT best-practice guides and ensure staff deliver effective support.
• Prepare risk reports and presentations for agency leadership.
• Lead employee development, retention, and talent management initiatives.
• Maintain and troubleshoot agency networks.
• Manage multiple projects with metrics, milestones, and resource planning.
• Apply Arizona Management System principles and participate in coaching and huddles.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Time management

Problem solving

Budget management

Vendor negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Salesforce

Job description

LAND DEPARTMENT

Since its inception in 1915, the Arizona State Land Department has been entrusted with managing approximately 9.2 million acres of State Trust lands scattered throughout Arizona. The Common Schools (K-12) are the largest beneficiary entitled to approximately 87% of the land and receiving close to 90% of State Trust Land revenues. Through the application of sound stewardship, and effective business management principles, the Land Department can succeed in its mission of responsibly managing the assets of a multi-generational perpetual Trust in alignment with the interests of the beneficiaries and Arizona’s future. For general information, visit our website: www.azland.gov 1110 W. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007

IT Operations Manager

1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $85,000 - $95,000

Grade: 26

Closing Date: Open until business needs are met

Under the guidance of the CIO, the IT Operations Manager manages a team that is responsible for the support of the Department's IT systems. This team is responsible for responding to help desk tickets and maintaining and updating the Department's technology stack; which includes desktops, laptops, mobile devices, servers, networks and related devices and software configurations. This team is also responsible for maintaining overall system security and ensuring compliance with State Security Policies. This management position provides leadership, technical expertise and oversight within the IT department. This position works closely with other decision makers to help identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective system and infrastructure solutions.

Job Duties

• Manages system administrators and other technical people responsible for server infrastructure, security, networks and daily operations.
• Serve as the lead Information Security Officer. Ensure IT Security compliance with State and Department policies. Implement and maintain security controls such as personal computer and server passwords, anti-virus, activity monitoring, software patches, and other security upgrades.
• Provide computer operations support, PC and software installation on individual workstations and servers. Assists in resolving help desk tickets, providing PC end user support, and troubleshooting hardware and software problems. Provision and maintain cloud resources.
• Develop and implement IT best practice guides for the organization. Ensure IT staff provides effective levels of support and guidance to employees regarding the use of systems and technologies available.
• Prepare reports and presentations that present risk, mitigation controls, trends and initiatives for agency leadership.
• Work with Leadership in employee development, retention, resource planning, talent management, performance management, and achieve a diverse and engaged workforce as well as recruit, train, and evaluate staff members’ work.
• Maintain, administer, and/or troubleshoot agency networks.
• Work with IT staff to manage multiple projects: identify key metrics, set milestones and timelines, develop communication materials and allocate resources.
• Apply the principles, theories, and concepts of the Arizona Management System; actively participating in 1:1 coaching sessions, daily group huddles, and huddle board updates; continually identifying areas for process and quality improvement; adhering to established standard work and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned and as related to the position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of:

• Understanding of servers, databases, operating systems (Linux, Windows), and hardware.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), network protocols, and virtualization.
• Familiarity with IT service frameworks and state policies.
• Strong understanding of system and infrastructure security best practices and processes.
• Knowledge of recovery procedures including backups and plans for system failures.
• Understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), generative AI architectures, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), prompt engineering, vector databases, semantic search, and agentic AI solutions.
• Understanding of PII and PCI compliance requirements.

Skilled in:

• Finding and fixing root causes of complex system issues
• Planning and running system upgrades, migrations, or deployments.
• Automating deployments and patching
• Excellent communication skill (written and verbal)
• Computer software and programs (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Salesforce)
• Budget management and vendor negotiation
• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent Interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Time management, organization, and attention to detail

Ability to:

• Provide guidance to staff, setting goals, and mentoring team members
• Explain technical concepts to business leaders
• Work outside business hours and on weekends as needed
• Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks
• Work collaboratively in teams and across organizations
• Build strong relationships with both internal and external customers
• Express complex technical concepts effectively, both verbally and in writing

Selective Preference(s)

• 5+ years of related experience in IT-App Support, IT-Development, IT-Networking or similar field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline preferred, or proven equivalent industry experience.
• Leadership or management experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete required driver training. (refer to Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child, learn more here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable health insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities
• Upon successful completion of the required training and probationary period, this position may offer the ability to work a hybrid remote work schedule, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Retirement

• Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).
• Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Contact Us

If you have trouble applying for this position, please email [e-mail] for assistance. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting ASLD Human Resources at 602-542-2629. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

Advertised: 21 Sep 2026 US Mountain Standard Time