Systems Consultant

Athari; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PPD is seeking a Systems Consultant for its 911 operations. The role focuses on daily support and vendor management to sustain reliable 911 computer services and platforms used by the City’s 911 center.

You will work with stakeholders to define requirements, guide IT projects, and coordinate with vendors to maintain operations within budget and schedule. Occasional after-hours on-call support is expected to resolve major incidents.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of progressively responsible IT experience, with at least five years managing complex systems.
• Deep knowledge of technology principles, security, and IT solution lifecycles.
• Experience with 911 technologies and disaster recovery planning.

Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of 911 technology developments and participate in regional/state meetings.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and executives to set priorities for 911 tech projects.
• Manage vendors, review contracts, ensure SLA compliance, and oversee invoicing.

Skills

Vendor management

IT governance

Disaster recovery

Networking

System administration

CSV

Tools

RFP process

Job description

PPD 911 Systems Consultant is a technical position supporting the City’s 911 systems and contributes to the continuity of 911 computer services by providing day-to-day technical support and vendor management. The position is responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of the various computer services and platforms supporting PPD’s 911 center’s daily operations.

Work Constraints

• Remote work is limited to two days per week and may not exceed in-office days in any week.
• Work hours may not exceed 37.5 per week, except during a 911 system emergency; with prior approval from the 911 IT Director.
• The resource must document all work activities in detail on the weekly timecard, including each meeting attended with its corresponding date, time, and duration.

Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of the latest developments in 911 technology; participate in regional and state meetings and provide input to the City’s 911 technology roadmap.
• Confer with PPD stakeholders to determine computing and information management needs and requirements and in collaboration with executive management, set priorities and direction for 911 technology projects.
• Working with system vendors, develop plans and proposals to analyze and upgrade the existing systems; determine computing policies and procedures; direct installation and validation of new or revised software and hardware; confer with designated technical specialists to ensure provision of support to the department.
• Participate in RFP, RFI, proposal and contract reviews and vendor selection; manage vendors and ensure SLA compliance; approve deliverables and invoicing.
• Direct the maintenance of and enhancements to 911 systems by managing vendors and providing oversight to all testing and deployment activities.
• Work with department management to identify and define problems, issues and opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness through IT initiatives; work with internal IT resources, stakeholders and vendors to ensure new initiatives are planned, launched and executed correctly.
• Forecast 911 infrastructure and equipment-related costs and IT personnel needs for ongoing operational support as well as technology projects and programs related to all 911 operations.
• Help ensure delivery of computer services to the 911 area within allocated cost and schedule and within budget.
• Complete ad hoc 911-related tasks and projects as assigned by the 911 or PPD IT Directors.
• Assist with software and hardware deployment of 911 related computer equipment at the direction of the PPD IT and 911 Directors.
• Assist with problem resolution of 911 related hardware and software when requested.
• Participate in testing of 911-related hardware and software when necessary.
• Is responsible for being on call and participating in after‑hours Major Incident Problem Resolutions related to 911 systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of increasingly responsible experience, with at least five years of managing increasingly complex systems in a technical environment. Able to work effectively and efficiently toward satisfaction. Understanding of Computer Aided Dispatching and other 911-related technologies.
• Deep knowledge of principles, practices and theories in technology.
• Broad-based knowledge of IT solution lifecycles and environments.
• Software development lifecycle.
• Networking and security.
• Technology and application architecture.
• Computerized system validation (CSV) strategies and standards.
• Disaster recovery and continuity of operations.
• Operating system management.
• Database technology.