EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Director of Innovation and Technology
The successful candidate will strive to make City government more innovative, engaged,
efficient, connected, and responsive with technology. Connects City Hall and all of its
resources with problem-solvers outside of it.
Responsible for determining the Information Technology (IT) needs of the City. Devises
the IT framework, technology procedures, and organizational practices. Works with City
management, IT, and external partners to ensure that the IT infrastructure and digital
assets are working efficiently and effectively.
Increases City transparency and accessibility by working with City departments to
expand public access to information. Makes information freely available online in a
readable, open format that can be easily retrieved, downloaded, indexed, sorted, searched,
analyzed, and revised, utilizing readily available Web search application and software.
Requires a Bachelor’s Degree and five years of progressively responsible related
experience in Information Technology, systems, strategic planning, and project
management. Supervisory experience is also required. Strong leadership skills and
excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary for this position, as well as
an ability to remain innovative in design. MBA in Information Technology Management
is preferred, and public sector experience is a plus.
Salary range for this full-time position is $70,073 -$79,281, with an excellent fringe
benefit package.
A complete job description and application is available at www.wirapids.org. Please
submit a cover letter, resume, and application to:
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Human Resources Department
444 West Grand Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-2780
or
bbakunowicz@wirapids.org
EOE
Position Description
Name:
Department:
Office of Innovation &
Technology
Position Title:
Director of Innovation and
Technology
Pay Grade:
17
Date:
01/09/14
Reports To:
Mayor
______________________________________________________________________
Purpose of Position
Responsible for determining the Information Technology (IT) needs of the City. Devises the IT
framework, technology procedures, and organizational practices and works with City
management, IT, and external partners to ensure that the IT infrastructure and digital assets are
working efficiently and effectively.
Increases City transparency and accessibility by working with City departments to expand public
access to information that is not protected by privacy law and makes that information freely
available online in a readable, open format that can be easily retrieved, downloaded, indexed,
sorted, searched, analyzed, and revised, utilizing readily available Web search application and
software.
Strives to make City government more innovative, engaged, efficient, connected, and responsive
with technology. Connects City Hall and all of its resources with problem-solvers outside of it.
Role
The Director of Innovation & Technology will report directly to the Mayor and work in close
partnership with the Innovation & Technology (IT) Department, as well as various Department
Heads and other stakeholders throughout City government, to champion new ideas to improve
government by:
1. New Technology – From smart phones to GPS, interest in civic engagement has created
increased opportunities for closer connection and communication between City
government and its citizens. The Director will work to inform the high-level vision of
his/her department through exposure to innovative people, organizations, and industries.
The Director will also play a role in assisting in the development of the City’s Social
Media presence.
2. Technology Infrastructure – New focus on technology infrastructure and sustainable
design links how a City is built with how it is managed and experienced. Further, it
supports City departments in piloting new and experimental programs and policy (i.e.
creating an interdepartmental group to brainstorm and recommend creative opportunities
for operational improvements and quantifiable cost-saving initiatives across the
organization). These programs can be initiated either internally – by the Mayor, his/her
staff, or other departments, or externally – by companies, organizations, or individuals
working directly with the Innovation & Technology Department.
3. Serving as a government liaison for new ideas relevant to the City. This involves
informing the Mayor’s high-level vision for the City, based on emerging trends,
opportunities, and technologies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Collaborates directly with the Mayor and City departments in conceiving, developing, and
managing pilot programs within their areas of work, including contributing and managing staff
resources toward those projects from the Office of Innovation & Technology, as appropriate.
Assists in developing and managing Rapid Improvement (process improvement) projects, to
advance through define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) steps of the Six-Sigma
methodology.
Actively promotes a culture of innovation and recognition of its benefits within City Hall.
Continually researches and remains aware of emerging trends, opportunities, and technologies
that are, or may be, relevant to local government. Shares knowledge gained from this research
with the Mayor and senior City staff in order to maintain a pipeline of opportunities for
innovation.
Constructs a comprehensive strategy for City-wide data usage and storage, including developing
and managing systems and policies for the archiving, storage, destruction, or retention of public
record, in compliance with public records laws.
Manages public records.
Sets up policies and structures for managing the underlying IT infrastructure, which comprises all
of the City’s computers, servers, computer peripherals, telecommunication systems, Internet
connectivity networks, software application, and data center.
Delivers IT to the various departments and ensures that all systems are functioning smoothly for
the employees and the public.
Digitizes paperwork throughout the City Departments.
Determines the need for timely investments in Information Technology and for delivering
services more efficiently and effectively.
Increases the opportunities for collaboration between the City and citizens by publishing public
data, which will promote transparency and empower residents to participate in government in a
meaningful manner, as well as assist in identifying possible solutions to pressing problems.
Develops an interactive mechanism that will enable the public to provide feedback to the City on
the quality of its published information and enable the City to respond to the feedback it receives.
Also coordinates with Public Access (RCCA) to create video and other materials.
Approves and provides guidance for City Social Media sites. Monitors, removes, and retains
content that is in violation of City policies or applicable law.
Develops and monitors department budget and financial forecasts.
Supervises web application, software development, contractors, and IT staff.
Anticipates and reacts to major technology changes. Evaluates new technologies.
Develops technology contingency plans.
Develops and provides training programs.
Performs other related duties as needed or directed.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
This position requires sufficient education, training, and/or work experience to demonstrate
possession of the following knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through:
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and five (5) years of
progressively responsible related experience in Information Technology, systems, strategic
planning, and project management. Requires experience in managing large budgets in a
collaborative business environment. Supervisory experience is required. MBA in Information
Technology Management is preferred. Public sector experience is a plus.
Requires excellent oral and written communication skills, strong leadership skills, and the ability
to remain innovative in design and stay abreast of all industry hot topics.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
An ideal candidate for this position would have an advanced degree and/or substantial experience
at the intersection of change management, public policy, technology, and civic engagement, as
well as experience in public service and business processes. Qualifications to enter this position
require knowledge, skills, and experience in the following:
Experience in change management, organizational strategy, innovation strategy, systems
thinking, and design.
Well versed in the principles of open data, open government, and Government 2.0.
Understanding of government process and practices (legislative process, budget process, etc.).
Technically proficient, with some experience in management, design, or development of
hardware or software products.
Strong communicator (both writing and speaking) with internal and external stakeholders on
technical and community issues.
Understanding of how innovation happens within organizations and how to support it.
Understanding of specific touch points of government for citizens - permits, applications,
policies, hearings, etc.
Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to collaborate, persuade, convince, influence, train, and monitor others, in favor of a
desired outcome. Ability to advise and interpret regarding the application of policies, procedures,
and standards to specific situations.
Ability to perform upper-level data analysis, including the ability to coordinate, strategize,
systematize, correlate, audit, deduce, assess, conclude, and appraise using discretion in
determining time, place, and/or sequence of operations within an organization framework.
Requires the ability to implement decisions based on such data and oversee the execution of these
deductions.
Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory, and/or design data
and information, such as computer diagnostic reports, flow charts, computer maintenance reports,
documentation, technical manuals, computer periodicals, procedures, guidelines, and non-routine
correspondence.
Mathematical Ability
Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate
percentages, fractions, and decimals; the ability to interpret graphs; and may require the ability to
perform mathematical operations involving basic algebra and geometry.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as supervision, managing,
leading, teaching, directing, planning, coordinating, and controlling. Requires the ability to
analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span
over one or several work units.
Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the
direction, control, and planning of an entire program, or multiple programs, and the evaluation of
information against sensory, judgmental, and/or subjective criteria, as opposed to criteria that is
clearly measurable or verifiable.
Physical Requirements
Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or provide simple, but continuous, adjustments on
equipment, machinery, and tools, such as computer terminals, printers, tape drives, diagnostic
instruments, small hand tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Requires the ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing movements requiring
moderate skill, such as typing.
Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving
some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, carrying, or pushing and pulling
objects and materials of moderate weight. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a
keyboard or work station.
Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of
colors, shapes, and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks.
Environmental Adaptability
Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental
conditions.
The City of Wisconsin Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to
qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current
employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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Employee's Signature
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Supervisor's Signature
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Date
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Date