County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of an Agency’s executive management, the Information Systems Director provides oversight to an agency’s information systems operations and staff and has responsibility for planning, scheduling, coordinating and directing the work of subordinate supervisors and personnel engaged in information technology systems analysis, application program development, systems implementation, and maintenance activities; leads and manages through subordinate supervisors the strategic planning, major change initiatives, process improvements, and special project activities of information systems technology; and performs related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Information System Director is found only in a a large Agency and has responsibility for directing the overall administration, management and oversight of information systems technology to maximize the utilization and value of information resources. Incumbents in this class are expected to direct subordinate supervisors and personnel and lead the efforts in administering and solving complex and evolving information needs by leveraging staff expertise, vendors, contractors, and other available resources. This class directs, through subordinate supervisors and personnel, the assessment of overall functionality of information system technology, and is responsible for the planning and implementation of activities to maintain and enhance information systems technology within a large Agency.

This class is distinguished from the class of Information Systems Deputy Director in that the latter is a subordinate supervisor with responsibility for supervising Information Systems Managers and assisting and participating in the oversight and leadership of all information systems activities and staff of a large Agency. It is further distinguished from the class of Information Systems Manager in that the former is responsible for information systems technology activities of a small to medium sized Department or Agency a major division, or section in a larger Department or Agency.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Directs the oversight and management of information systems technology operations, activities and staff of a large Agency; provides for user assistance for all assigned, proposed, and existing computer systems; and serves as the Agency’s technical expert to provide advanced information systems consultation and expertise to agency executive management.

2. Oversees and leads strategic planning, major change initiatives, process improvements, and special project activities relating to information systems, support, or services; and is held accountable for overall direction and management of such projects and staff for the agency.

3. Evaluates existing and proposed information system policies, techniques, and procedures; and develops and implements new policies, procedures and practices.

4. Works closely with Agency leadership to assess and determine areas that would benefit from automation and directs projects and work with multiple divisions to implement changes in technology and information systems; provides overall leadership of such projects for the department. Provides direction to subordinate supervisors with oversight responsibilities on the analysis of requests for new information systems, existing system modification and updates.

5. Evaluates and determines feasibility of staff recommendations and provides guidance on system selection, development, and implementation, and operation and maintenance protocols including activity plans, schedules and resource requirements.

6. Obtains necessary executive approval and secures resources; and leads and directs implementation plans, through subordinate supervisors, to develop and install the new system or system changes.

7. Develops and manages budgetary requirements for a large with multiple Information Systems Divisions.

8. Serves as or delegates staff to be a primary contact with information systems vendors, contractors, and consultants including administration of complex information systems contracts.

9. Directs the study and assessment of information flows, information uses, procedures, form workflow, and data processing techniques involved in achieving maximization of the use of an agency’s information resources.

10. Plans, organizes and directs analytical studies of organizational structures, systems, procedures, polices and techniques. Defines nature and scope of studies, projects and procedures to be followed.

11. Analyzes costs and benefits of current and future information processing systems using accepted industry techniques; stays abreast of emerging trends and technological advancements in the areas of data processing equipment, application and systems software, information resource management, micro-graphics, office automation, and database management systems.

12. Participates in professional organizations; establishes and maintains effective relationships with other agencies; and represents the agency in meetings and conferences. Leads, directs, and delegates others to participate in committee and special project assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of six years of full-time paid experience in information systems which included systems analysis, application development, system evaluation, selection and implementation, or network administration. At least two years of experience must include direct supervision and management of subordinate supervisors of professional and technical information technology staff.

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university (120 semester units or 180 quarter units) with a major in MIS, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcements of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of supervision, personnel management, administration, project management, and public policy.
• Current trends, issues, and legislation associated with public policy, technology and information privacy and security.
• Process or business oriented software platforms.
• Principles and methodology of Information Technology Project Management.
• Principles and methods of administrative and technological problem solving.
• Relationship of budgeting to policy making and budgeting methods for estimating expenditures and planning for future Information Systems needs.
• Principles and techniques of planning, scheduling and control as applied to systems development and maintenance in an Information Systems organization.
• Methods for review of systems analysis.
• Principles and methodologies of systems analysis.
• Data organization and access methods in computerized systems; estimating methods for equipment costs, production costs, programming costs and system benefits.
• Reporting requirements for local, state and federal agencies.

Ability to:

• Provide leadership and direction to others and plan, direct and coordinate resources effectively.
• Understand and consider the impact of organizational, management, administrative, and personnel to aspects of information systems design.
• Direct the development of advanced computer-based systems and the evaluation and modification of complex existing systems to optimize use and value.
• Analyze major information processing problems, identify alternative solutions, and make sound recommendations.
• Direct multiple projects involving several divisions and and/or agencies and vendors simultaneously in the development of advanced computer-based systems and the evaluation and modification of complex existing systems for optimum use.
• Formulate systems strategies to meet user and agency goals, determine the course of actions, and evaluate the impact of decisions on the organization and users.
• Direct and supervise assigned work activities, maintain staff productivity and morale, and evaluate information systems administrative and technological staff.
• Develop and implement work schedules, work plans, and cost controls.
• Understand and effectively communicate technical concepts and information about complex systems and strategies in a timely manner to individuals with varying levels of technical knowledge, including non-technical personnel.
• Understand and consider the impact of organizational, management, administrative, and personnel aspects of information systems design.
• Resolve related problems and make appropriate recommendations.
• Gather and analyze data, draw sound conclusions, prepare clear and concise reports.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BG:dj
Rev.Ret.Comb.7/94
1268h
co:updated 6/12/00
Old doc. 1268h.wpf
New doc. 0424.doc
CSC Date: 9/7/94
RE:pf Revised 3/7/2005
CSC Date: 4/27/2005
JO:po Revised 4/5/06
CSC Date: 4/26/2006
LP:cs Revised 10/8/15
CSC Date: 10/28/15

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.