Information Technology Department - Director Of Information Technology

*This position may be eligible to work in a hybrid capacity following the initial training period which will require an on-site schedule.*

Bachelors degree from an accredited university in Computer Science, Business Administration or a related field, with emphasis in Computer Science courses; minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the Information Technology field, preferably in a Texas County Government; with five (5) years minimum in an executive level capacity in a comparably sized entity utilizing equivalent technology; with five (5) years demonstrated supervision at an executive level;

Or any equivalent combination of educations, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Possess and maintain recognized current certification or complete specialized training to ensure up-to-date knowledge of job related skills and technology.

Administrative Duties:

Provides vision and leadership in administering all IT activities;

Directs strategizing, planning, organizing, reviewing, designing, and evaluating of the overall operations and development of the department;

Directs department goals and objectives to be consistent with priorities, policies and procedures established by Commissioners Court and the Chief Administrator; interprets plans, specifications, standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory codes;

Is responsible for all administrative, personnel and department operations; Provides management, administration, organizational leadership, and team building; plans, assigns, supervises, trains and evaluates the work of professional, technical and administrative support staff; assigns duties and plans work of others;

Delegates authority and responsibility, and schedules program work on a long-term basis; establishes standards and priorities and ensures they are maintained by others; approves selection of new employees, employee transfer/promotion, discipline, termination, performance evaluations, and personnel actions;

Maintains a highly competent staff to meet the established needs of the entities, including 24 hour/day,

seven day/week operations; implements personnel additions, changes or terminations within guidelines set by Commissioners Court and County procedures; administers and formulates salary and personnel recommendations as they pertain to the department;

Monitors and oversees department operations to assure that services delivered are in compliance with contract provisions, applicable laws, rules and regulations established by federal, state, and local laws and by applicable standards established by Commissioners Court, the Chief Administrator, and the department;

Substantive IT Duties:

Coordinates and directs all IT activity for the County;

Is responsible for providing professional services for feasibility studies, systems analysis and design, hardware and software selection, systems development and maintenance, and Data Center operations;

Represents the department in Commissioners Court and makes presentations and recommendations to the Court; represents the department and/or county with customers and media; works with and makes presentations to elected county officials, county departments, state and municipal officials, citizen groups and other policy-making entities regarding current and future development, planning, designing of the IT Department;

Establishes and maintains effective public relations in a complex environment involving technical and non-technical personnel; responds to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the professional community; responds to, analyzes and resolves difficult inquiries, grievances, or complaints;

Performs complex studies, analysis, designs, technical research, calculations, computations, and prepares estimates, plans, and reports; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field; evaluates new technological advances; develops more efficient methods; develops managerial and technical talent in the staff; evaluates technical and financial justification of new equipment; evaluates personnel and organizational structure; acts as chief contact between IT and those outside the department; reviews requests for new or changed applications; accesses and recommends priorities and the relative merit of proposed computer usage;

Budget Duties:

Is responsible for making financial recommendations on capital purchases, annual budget and expense allocations; oversees financial planning for departmental functions and needs in concurrence with Commissioners Court approvals;

Works with the Executive Director of Operations, Elected Officials and their staff, department staff and other county staff, and shared services partners to establish priorities and set schedules and budgets for timely completion of projects;

Works with Purchasing Department and provides input and makes recommendations to Commissioners Court, Elected Officials and departments on best alternatives for awarding contracts to competing vendors and contractors; negotiates and oversees contracts as assigned;

Assures that department recommendations that have been approved by Commissioners Court and the Chief Administrator are carried out or complied with; forecast personnel and financial needs of all activities; keeps abreast of developments that affect the functions performed in each reporting section of the department.

General Expectations:

Promotes the County’s public image through participation and membership in civic organizations, professional activities and community forums that are aligned with the County’s mission and vision;

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;

Commits to obtaining 20 hours of self- professional development activity/s;

Commits to providing and ensuring all members of department staff receive a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities/training per fiscal year;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties *

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director of Operations;

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment;

Be available for work beyond standard workday or workweek hours as necessary;

Regular out of town travel for professional conferences and meetings;

Be available to participate as a committee member on various boards within the County; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services.

The Director of Information Technology is a highly responsible position that provides vision and leadership in administering the strategic oversight of the Information Technology (IT) Department and its partner agencies. The incumbent performs complex professional and administrative work developing, implementing and overseeing county-wide short and long range information technology (IT) plans, strategies, policies, and procedures; directs the functions and operations of the department and aligns IT strategy with El Paso County goals and objectives. The CIO is also responsible for all administrative, personnel and department operations.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Executive Director of Operations

Directs: Deputy Technology Officer; Executive Assistant; indirectly oversees department staff.

Other: Establishes and maintains frequent and necessary communications and contact with Commissioners Court, Elected Officials, Department Heads, vendors and consultants, regional and statewide network and industry groups, Federal, State and Local government agencies, and other county employees.

El Paso County offers a very comprehensive benefit package (s ome benefits may not apply to part time or temporary employees) consisting of the following:

HOLIDAYS
16 holidays per year as recognized.

VACATION
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)
15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)
20 days (15 years of service or over)

SICK LEAVE
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.

MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVES
Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service
Bereavement Leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.

MEDICAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Plan Costs – Biweekly Rates

Effective January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023

Medical
Traditional Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
No Discounts
EE Only $6.00
EE & Spouse $201.21
EE & Children $141.17
EE & Family $329.68

2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $5.89
EE & Spouse - $197.19
EE & Children - $138.35
EE & Family - $323.08
4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.77
EE & Spouse - $193.17
EE & Children - $135.52
EE & Family - $316.49

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.65
EE & Spouse - $189.14
EE & Children - $132.70
EE & Family - $309.90

Traditional Core Plan
No Discounts
EE Only - $40.04
EE & Spouse - $313.56
EE & Children - $242.31
EE & Family - $496.62

2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $39.24
EE & Spouse - $307.80
EE & Children - $237.46
EE & Family - $486.68

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $38.44
EE & Spouse - $301.02
EE & Children -$232.62
EE & Family - $476.76

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $37.64
EE & Spouse - $294.74
EE & Children - $227.77
EE & Family - $466.82

El Paso County - ACO - Hospitals of Providence Network Plan Options

Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) ACO
No Discounts
EE Only $5.40
EE & Spouse $181.09
EE & Children $127.05
EE & Family $296.71

2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $5.30
EE & Spouse - $177.47
EE & Children - $124.51
EE & Family - $290.78

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.19
EE & Spouse - $173.85
EE & Children - $121.96
EE & Family - $284.85

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.09
EE & Spouse - $170.23
EE & Children - $119.43
EE & Family - $278.91


Core Plan ACO
No Discounts
EE Only - $36.03
EE & Spouse - $282.20
EE & Children - $218.07
EE & Family - $446.96

2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $35.32
EE & Spouse - $276.56
EE & Children - $213.71
EE & Family - $438.02

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $34.59
EE & Spouse - $270.92
EE & Children - $209.36
EE & Family - $429.08

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $33.88
EE & Spouse - $265.27
EE & Children - $204.99
EE & Family - $420.14

El Paso County - Narrow Network - University Medical Center (UMC) Plan Options

Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) UMC
No Discounts
EE Only - $5.70
EE & Spouse - $191.15
EE & Children - $134.10
EE & Family - $313.20

2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $5.59
EE & Spouse - $187.33
EE & Children - $131.44
EE & Family - $306.93

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.48
EE & Spouse - $183.51
EE & Children - $128.75
EE & Family - $300.67

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $5.37
EE & Spouse - $179.68
EE & Children - $126.07
EE & Family - $294.40

Core Plan UMC
No Discounts
EE Only - $38.04
EE & Spouse - $297.87
EE & Children - $230.19
EE & Family - $471.79

2% Tobacco-Free Discount
EE Only - $37.27
EE & Spouse - $291.91
EE & Children - $225.59
EE & Family - $462.35

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $36.51
EE & Spouse - $285.96
EE & Children - $220.99
EE & Family - $452.92

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount
EE Only - $35.76
EE & Spouse - $280
EE & Children - $216.39
EE & Family - $443.48

Vision
EE Only - $3.16
EE + 1 - $5.05
EE & Family - $8.21

Dental WITH Medical Plan
EE Only - $0.00
EE & Spouse - $13.63
EE & Children - $27.25
EE & Family - $40.88

Dental WITHOUT Medical Plan
EE Only - $13.63
EE & Spouse - $27.26
EE & Children - $40.88
EE & Family - $54.51

Vision
EE Only - $3.16
EE + 1 - $5.05
EE & Family - $8.21

RETIREMENT
Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.

LIFE INSURANCE
Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY
The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.

SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.