Job Description

The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia headed by the
Chief Information Officer (CIO). OIT oversees all major information and communications technology initiatives for the City of Philadelphia - increasing the effectiveness of the information technology infrastructure, where the services provided are advanced, optimized, and responsive to the needs of the City of Philadelphia’s businesses, residents, and visitors. OIT responsibilities include: identifying the most effective approach for implementing new information technology directions throughout city government; improving the value of the city’s technology assets and the return on the city’s technology investments; ensuring data security continuity; planning for continuing operations in the event of disruption of information technology or communications services; and supporting accountable, efficient and effective government across every city department, board, commission and agency.

Job Description

The Fire IT Director position is a management position within the Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) that provides direction and technical guidance to support the information systems used by the Fire Department. Under the direction of the Deputy CIO Public Safety, the role has management-level responsibility for planning and directing the activities of the Fire Department’s information systems support staff including oversight of daily IT operations and technology solutions, strategic planning, budgeting, and support of assigned programs, projects and initiatives.

This position will take the lead role under minimal supervision to plan, direct, monitor and report on all activities of the unit as well as plan and direct special projects as needed while working collaboratively with other Public Safety area customers and vendors. Consistent reliability during normal work hours and off-hours availability is required.

Essential Functions

• Confer with Fire Department leadership to determine computing and information management needs and requirements to align with departmental strategic goals; develop plans and strategies to meet the information management needs of the department; develop plans and proposals to analyze and upgrade the existing systems; determine which applications can best satisfy department computing requirements; determine departmental computing policies and procedures; direct installation and startup of new or revised software and hardware; confer with central IT (OIT) leadership and designated technical specialists to establish access to data and to insure provision of support to the department; participate in interview and selection of vendors/contractors
• Direct the maintenance of and enhancements to departmental systems including planned upgrades and maintenance on all associated licenses, software and hardware; facilitate and oversee solution lifecycle activities, including project management from requirements through deployment and decommissioning. Assist with preparation of project charters and business cases and in helping the Fire department and OIT identify and define business objectives, processes and workflows, and IT requirements
• Work with department leadership to identify and define problems, issues and opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness through IT initiatives
• Work with internal IT resources and OIT leadership to organize around the problem and ensure new initiatives are planned, launched and executed correctly.

• Help ensure delivery of computer services to the department within allocated budget and schedule; conduct technical research on system upgrades to determine feasibility, cost, time required, and compatibility with current system.

• Project future needs of department to promote effectiveness and efficiency; confer with and recommend to superiors the most appropriate software and hardware purchases; prepare cost comparisons of equipment and software considered for purchasing
• Develop departmental disaster recovery plans
• Oversee departmental system security through direction of technical support staff; meet with departmental officials to discuss security needs; direct subordinate staff to implement security changes
• Establish and implement computing policy, processes, and procedures
• Determine staff development requirements and ensures technical support staff receives suitable training and stay abreast of current technology
• Work with department management to develop electronic access to information for the public and internal department employees
• Evaluate the performance of all OIT employees reporting to the position as often as required 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of IT solution lifecycles, environments and management
  • Solution development lifecycle
  • Networking and security components
  • Technology and application architecture
  • Computerized system validation (CSV) strategies and standards
  • Disaster recovery and continuity of operations
  • IT operations and application management
  • Vendor management
• Skills
  • Analytical
  • Communication
  • Organizational
  • Managing multiple assignments
• Abilities
  • Competence in managing and motivating a team of 5 direct reports
  • Communicate (verbally and in writing) effectively with stakeholders and senior business leadership
  • Research, understand and implement new software technologies
  • Set and prioritize objectives and direct technical staff
  • Organize and work effectively with project teams comprised of departmental and technical resources

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Eight plus (8+) years of applicable work experience with 5 or more years of IT management experience
• Experience working in a large Governmental environment is a plus

Additional Information

Salary Range: $110,000 - $123,600

Did you know?
● We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer : 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities

● We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
● Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
● Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
● Generous retirement savings options are available

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Please note that effective September 1, 2021, the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to
present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race,
ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr @phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website:

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