Chief Information Officer

Under the direction of the County Administrator, is responsible for the management, security and supervision of Information Technology assets, resources, and projects; coordinates IT requests from County stakeholders; liaison between leadership of the Maryland DOiT and Federal Government technology agencies. Directs coordinates and assesses the work of subordinate staff to facilitate the achievement of department goals and objectives; performs other duties as assigned. The CIO is evaluated based upon contribution to the efficiency of the Department and the effectiveness of program goals and objectives.

1. Maintains responsibility for administrative functions, to include supervisory responsibility for staff and consultants and for the preparation and administration of the operating budget and related reports;
2. Complies with Federal regulations and laws; develops Federally mandated reports. Develops and implements training exercises that are mandated by State and Federal Regulations;
3. Attends meetings with various Federal, State and local officials, stakeholders, serves as a member on various committees and commissions;
4. Provide briefings to County and State Officials;
5. Develops, in conjunction with the County Administrator, comprehensive long and short-range strategies designed to achieve County and departmental goals and objectives;
6. Overseas, and provides technical management for all operations, activities, and programs within County government, including hardware and software implementation;
7. Leads the County Government in information technology advancements, including periodic upgrades to various software programs, telephone system etc.;
8. Acts as a liaison between Federal, State, and Local Government agencies whose policies, laws, regulations, and directives impact upon department and County activities, operations, projects and programs;
9. Identify County Government needs to secure network operations; be vigilant for cyber security needs and prevention efforts;
10. Provide oversight for the County’s technical projects; County applications; webpage; intranet; 911 Addressing, GIS collaborative efforts, including mapping, and other technology priorities identified;
11. Provide oversight for the County cable franchise agreements, state broadband connectivity initiatives and coordinate public facility infrastructure needs;
12. Analyzes technical performance reports, correspondences, and contracts, reviews evaluate, and makes recommendations regarding areas of responsibility;
13. Lead the technology efforts for records management in accordance with the County and State Archivist laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
14. Develops comprehensive budgets based upon approved programs, resource parameters, technological enhancements, and County policies and procedures; exercises internal fiscal control; reviews capital and asset proposals and contracts;
15. Increases professional knowledge through attending workshops and conferences, participating in professional associations and activities, and reading professional and local publications;
16. Maintains and develops expertise in new technology and applications. Contributes ideas that improve services, increases efficiencies and otherwise advance the development and automation of St. Mary’s County Government;
17. Formulates and enforces technology and operational policies and procedures;
18. Administers St. Mary’s County data information systems, associated networking and telecommunication equipment. Is accountable for the effective operation of the information system and its interface with associated networks and databases;
19. Sets standards for equipment and software procurement and evaluates/approves technology equipment for purchase. Serves as lead County contracting officer for any purchase of computer software, hardware, equipment, vendors, etc.;
20. Responsible for County-wide equipment maintenance and automation fixed asset system. Participates in vendor negotiations as assigned;
21. Collaboration with County departments; Federal and state agencies/partners (i.e. Navy, Metcom, etc.) and stakeholders for effective communication network. Includes electronic dam monitoring; CHART camera software, infrastructure, and other technological initiatives throughout the County;
22. Coordinates all system/network training;
23. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Must maintain residency within St. Mary's County within six (6) months of appointment to position;
2. Ability to gain advanced knowledge of St. Mary's County Government policies and procedures;
3. Ability to act as a representative of St. Mary’s County Government to the public, public officials, elected officials and media;
4. Ability to effectively communicate with other staff members; ability to coordinate, advise, and work with other professionals;
5. Ability to effectively deliver presentations to groups of various sizes and in a variety of venues;
6. Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of administrative management, and the ability to interpret them to the staff and the public;
7. Extensive knowledge of governmental fiscal policies, procedures, and legal mandates including the budget process;
8. Extensive knowledge of modern research, techniques and procedures;
9. Extensive knowledge of the laws, statutes, and ordinances of the State of Maryland and St. Mary’s County;
10. Knowledge of relevant Federal, State and Local laws and regulations regarding the administration of plans and programs;
11. Familiarity with computerized dispatch systems, computer hardware and software;
12. Experience with the management and maintenance of a large-scale emergency radio communications system involving backbone or trunked systems;
13. Ability to keep the County Administrator and all relevant parties informed of all major issues and programs and to recommend changes as appropriate;
14. Ability to supervise, plan, and coordinate the work of diverse staff to accomplish departmental goals and objectives;
15. Ability to review, evaluate, and initiate appropriate action on technical and legal reports, contracts, and documents concerning departmental matters;
16. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, associates, subordinates, representatives from other agencies, and the public;
17. Knowledge of electronic resources, including the internet, social media interface, intranet, and database information retrieval;
18. Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software, and simple office machines.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field;
2. Master’s degree in advanced professional certification preferred;
3. Seven years or more of related experience, at least four of which should be in a supervisory/managerial capacity;
4. OR equivalent technical training, education and/or experience.
5. Additional education in administration or communications may be substituted for the non-supervisory experience requirement on a year-for-year basis. Proof of college required by selected candidate utilizing this option;
6. Additional experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the college degree.

Additional Information:

1. Requires background investigation with favorable results;
2. Must successfully pass pre-employment drug testing;
3. Must be available for emergency response day and/or night, holidays and weekends.

Supervision:
Supervisor: County Administrator or designee
Supervisors: Deputy Director of Information Technology

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls.