Information Systems & Technology Director

The City of Hollister is currently running a recruitment to fill an upcoming Information Systems & Technology Director vacancy. This is an open recruitment. Qualified candidates from the public and qualified career City employees are encouraged to apply. The eligibility list that is developed from this recruitment process may be used to fill future vacancies in the Information Systems & Technology Director classification or in similar classifications.

Tentative Search Schedule
Filing Deadline: October 1, 2024
In-person Oral Board Interviews: October 15, 2024
In-person Final Departmental Interviews: October 24, 2024

*These dates are provided to help candidates prepare for next steps but are subject to change at the discretion of Human Resources.

The Community

The City of Hollister is nestled in San Benito County, 47 miles South of San Jose, along Highway 156 near the San Luis Reservoir. Historically an agricultural community established by ranchers and farmers, Hollister has a population of more than 40,000 residents and has developed into an anchor community for the surrounding area, drawing residents, businesses, and tourists to its beautiful weather, charming downtown, abundant recreational opportunities, diverse workforce, friendly people, and rural roots.

The beautiful hills and valleys of San Benito County make Hollister a dreamland for those who love the outdoors. Hollister Hills offers over 6,800 acres of scenic and varied terrain for off-highway vehicles as well as dedicated hiking, bicycling, & equestrian trails. Only miles away from Pinnacles National Park, and with back country roads for bikers, the City is an ideal location for nature-lovers.

In the midst of exponential residential and commercial growth, the City of Hollister maintains its independence, small-town charm, and agricultural/ranching heritage in its community and business-friendly environment. For more information on this charming city, please visit the City of Hollister’s website at www.hollister.ca.gov

The Organization

Incorporated in 1872, the City of Hollister is a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager, and consists of five members, which includes a Mayor elected at-large every two years, and four council members elected within individual districts in staggered four-year terms.

Hollister is a full-service city that provides the full suite of municipal services such as water, sewer, police, fire, development, and administrative functions; it also provides significant services to the greater San Benito County, including Fire and Animal Control. In addition, the City manages a growing municipal airport, currently serving as a CalFire Air Attack Base and as the staging area for wildfire suppression in six surrounding counties. The City of Hollister has 222 full-time employees and a total annual operating budget of $135.3 million for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.

DEFINITION
Under general direction of the City Manager, performs responsible administrative and technical work in the planning, design, installation and maintenance of City-wide and departmental information systems, including telecommunication systems and oversees the information technology services for the City of Hollister. The position’s scope of duties and responsibilities range from providing direction on policies to standardizing the organization’s computer hardware, software, and telecommunication systems to providing hands on assistance and training to City departments and the various systems. This position exercises independent judgment and discretion in formulating, managing and controlling administrative functions and strategic planning for information systems. The Information Systems Department includes the areas of applications development, central computer operations, hardware, software, and peripherals, network support and maintenance, and telecommunications.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED 

Receive general direction from the City Manager.
Exercises direct supervision over Department professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Examples of Essential Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Directs and manages City-wide information technology systems and activities.
• Leads and develops technology strategic plans and implementation strategies.
• Provides leadership to the City Manager, City Council, and Department Directors in integrating and aligning technology with business plan objectives.
• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the Information Systems Department and its operations to ensure effective support for organizational objectives and efficient and effective implementation of initiatives.
• Works closely with City departments, coordinates the development and implementation of information systems to achieve City-wide goals, objectives, and policies, with focus on providing City-wide computer hardware and software standardization.
• Assigns, reviews, and appraises the work of department staff; interviews, selects, and trains staff; documents and carries out discipline.
• Develops and recommends long-term plans and strategies for effective utilization of information technology systems.
• Develops management systems, procedures and/or standards for prioritizing projects, allocating resources, selection systems, and evaluation existing programs.
• Conducts needs analysis, research and, in oral and written form, recommends hardware/software systems and application, which will interface with existing computer systems, comply with policy standards and user needs.
• Directs and manages interdepartmental technology governance, planning and coordination activities to accomplish specific City-wide objectives.
• Coordinates the development of specification, selection, acquisition, configuration, and implementation of information technology systems in such areas as financial software, land management, geographic mapping, computer aided-dispatch, records management, and interdepartmental network systems.
• Negotiates and administers final contract agreement with vendors for implementation, maintenance and training of City staff; modifies such agreements as needed.
• Develops work plans, including work activities and project implementation schedules; monitors workflow; and reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.
• Analyzes technical reports and legislation; evaluates impact upon City operations; recommends and implements equipment, policy and procedural improvements.
• Performs simple to complex computer system design and programming.
• Performs diagnosis of hardware and software problems; installs, repairs or arranges for repair or replacement of faulty equipment and software. Performs general inspection and maintenance of hardware and software systems.
• Interprets and explains operation policy and procedures to other City staff and the general public as needed.
• Project management includes oversight of funding allocations, oversight and coordination of resources.
• Coordinates training sessions and/or assists users in learning the use of computer equipment and peripherals, and software packages including work processing, graphics, database languages, computer aided drafting and spreadsheets applications.
• Installscomputerhardware,peripheralequipmentandprogramapplications;coordinatesthe installation of cabling and other installation requirements.
• Maintains or coordinates with City department back-up systems for files from all critical applications, with appropriate depth to allow recovery from the advent of multiple disasters.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and inwriting.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES 

• Maintains program documentation on all computer systems and applications; prepares basic instructional guides on various applications, as needed.
• Attend and make presentations at City Council, interagency, commission and other meetings and conferences.
• Provides highly responsible staff assistance to the City Manager; prepare and present staff and City Council reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Maintains all system hardware inventory and maintenance agreements; maintains and monitors records on preventative and corrective equipment maintenance; response and repair times on equipment failures; records on utilization, cost and charges; and as required, resolves problem areas.
• Prepares the operation’s budget, including budgeting for City-wide information and communication systems needs and assisting in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administers the approved budget.
• Provides responsive on-going support and training on City telephone and voice mail equipment and software; and administers telephone and voice mail vendor contracts and services.
• Provides responsive on-going support and training on City online presence such as the City of Hollister website among other City-related online programs.
• Serve as technical advisor to the City Council, City Manager and other City departments.
• Oversee and manage grant funding opportunities, including identifying potential sources of funding, coordinating grant application processes, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations.

Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience: 
Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible work experience in computing ,security networks, and telecommunications field. Experience in Information Technology operations, programming, systems analysis, strategic planning, project management, including Five (5) years of management and supervisory experience. Experience in a Municipal Government environment is preferred.

Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree with major course work in computer and information science, information systems management, business administration or a related field.

Licenses and Certificates: 
Possession of, or ability, to obtain an appropriate, valid Class C driver’s license.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of information technology systems used in a municipal government setting, including state of the art hardware, peripheral equipment, and applications for computer, telephone and data communication systems.
• Administrative principles and practices used in development of organizational policy and goal setting; program development, implementation and administration; budgetary techniques and controls; and supervision of personnel as required.
• Pertinent local, State, and Federal laws, rules, and regulations. In-depth understanding of local, state, and federal regulations affecting municipal technology operations, including data privacy laws, cybersecurity standards, and compliance mandates.
• Integrating various municipal systems such as financial management, public safety, utility management, and citizen engagement platforms, ensuring seamless operation and data consistency across departments.
• Evaluating, procuring, and managing technology vendors and service providers, including contract negotiation and performance monitoring specific to local government needs.
• Leading technology projects within local government settings, including planning, execution, and oversight of initiatives such as software upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and digital transformation efforts.
• Working effectively with municipal leaders, department heads, and other stakeholders to understand their technology needs, provide strategic guidance, and deliver solutions that enhance operational efficiency and public service delivery.
• Principles and techniques of systems analysis, design and programming.
• Requirements and procedures for setup and minor maintenance of computer peripherals; and techniques for troubleshooting basic computer problems and restarting jobs.
• Basic principles of municipal budget preparation and control. Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to: 

• Analyze and resolve hardware and software problems; install hardware, peripheral equipment and program applications; and system design and programming. Address and resolve technology-related issues specific to municipal operations, ensuring minimal disruption and optimal functionality of critical systems.
• Ability to: Coordinate the design, selection, and implementation of computer and telecommunication systems.
• Establish realistic work priorities, set and meet long and short-term goals within allocated resources.
• Administer work plans, monitor progress and as required, take action to meet established completion dates.
• Communicate technical information in non-technical terms in order.
• Work cooperatively in an innovative team environment; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City staff, outside vendors, and outside agencies.
• Analyze information system problems and requirements and recommend appropriate action.
• Provide lead direction and/or train City staff.
• Analyze a variety of technical documents; prepare comprehensive reports; prepare and administer a budget; maintain detailed records.
• Respond to emergencies and other urgent needs outside of normal business hours.

Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

• Ability to work in a standard office environment.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to bend, stoop, walk, sit, talk or hear, twist, crawl under desks and in tight spaces to install or repair equipment. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls. Occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to successfully pass extensive background investigation.

Selection Process
Applications must be submitted online through this applicant tracking system. All materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list or discharge from employment.

Candidates presenting the most desirable combination of education, experience and/or training as stated in this announcement will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The selection process may require any combination of the following: application appraisal, written examination, performance test, and personal interview conducted by an outside oral panel and/or the Department.

The City of Hollister offers preference to qualified veterans during the candidate selection process. The City of Hollister’s Veterans’ Preference Policy can be accessed here (Download PDF reader). Applicants must claim Veteran’s preference in the agency-wide questions section and attach a copy of their DD214 to the application.

Following the examination process, successful candidates are placed on an employment list.

Appointment will be made from the employment list. Appointed employee(s) will be required to pass a psychological evaluation, physical, drug screen, background investigation, and fingerprints check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action:
The City of Hollister does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor.  The City of Hollister encourages minorities and women to apply. The City of Hollister makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled.  Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the selection process must inform the Human Resources Office via email at hr@hollister.ca.gov of such request. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process.