It Manager - Platform Services

Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is an excellent opportunity for you to take on a key IT management position in a large, advanced, and visible service organization.

You will support mission-critical operations by overseeing a hybrid infrastructure environment that includes on-premises and infrastructure/platform-as-a-service solutions (AWS, and some Azure), complex local and wide area networks connecting our many highly distributed facilities and service types, multiple SCADA environments, IoT environments, and thousands of connected devices.

You will help set the strategic and tactical direction for the platform on which County informational and operational systems are built, implemented, executed, and maintained. You will be a technology ambassador within the County and with regional partners.

Why It's a Great Department:
The IT Division is a national leader in delivering public services through innovation. We enable a portfolio of nearly 1000 commercial and custom solutions that support all County functions. Our 130-staff IT team believes in a positive, collaborative people-focused approach where we support one another and the work we do.

The Platform Services unit comprises an in-house and highly skilled staff of 20 system, network and software engineers providing daily operations, project & program delivery, and strategic planning. A mix of service management, DevOps and project methodologies are used to provide superb service in support of the County's technology platform.

How to be Successful in the Role:
We are looking for an expert technology manager with specific experience in infrastructure management, both on-premises and through cloud service providers, and using modern platform administration practices such as infrastructure-as-code and test-driven deployment. You'll need strong skills in operations management, program and project management, and strategic planning.

Your focus will be service-oriented, believing in continual improvement, and being adept at adjusting to the high rate of technological change impacting the public sector environment. You will need to establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organization while managing the team, various projects and programs, and overall County objectives. Effective decision making and strong skills in supporting and developing a team through ongoing change are also important.

Your Future in this Role:
While working as the IT Manager for Platform Services you will be one of five managers reporting to the head of IT. As a knowledgeable and experienced information technology leader, you will hold a highly visible role across the County, will contribute directly to our technological direction, and have a lasting impact in Pierce County. The IT Division team requires and supports a continual learning mindset at all levels of the organization. Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Direct countywide infrastructure operations, including provision of: infrastructure equipment, network, data center, hyperconverged virtualization platform, server, database, data storage, and related services in on-premises and multiple cloud provider environments.
• Oversee key programs such as network connectivity.
• Establish work methods, processes, tools, and standards for executing unit responsibilities.
• Manage the unit staff, including direct reports and all staff through unit supervisors. Select, supervise, coach, develop and evaluate staff. Set goals aligned with County vision and manage performance to goals. Provide for the training and motivation of team members in order to make full use of individual capabilities and to meet changing technical and organizational demands.
• Work in conjunction with the cybersecurity team and all IT units to oversee the security of the County technology operations including prevention, detection, and response.
• Provide technical input and recommendations for contracts, software and related goods and services needed for technology areas. Negotiate with, direct, and manage performance of vendors and contractors.
• Develop and manage the unit and assigned program budgets including direct expenditures and resource allocation to meet performance goals.
• Participate as member of the IT management team to meet overall IT goals, and partner closely with other unit managers to ensure proactive planning, smooth deployment, and excellent on-going support for their solutions.
• Provide leadership and direction through the development and maintenance of short and long-range technology plans.
• Serve as a technology ambassador and liaison for the Information Technology Division by establishing and providing proactive communication with clients, County leadership, and team members. Conduct outreach to peer organizations, and external clients. Be a visible leader in organizational change management for IT-related initiatives.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential function can be found here.Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in information technology, computer sciences, business, engineering, or related field.
• Eight or more years of IT infrastructure and operations experience, including experience with Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service utilization.
• Five years or more of complex project management experience.
• Four or more years supervising technology professionals.
• Or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in technology infrastructure management including both on-premises and cloud services.
• Experience in supporting information systems in a platform- and infrastructure-as-a-service cloud environment.
• Experience with automated infrastructure service delivery practices such as infrastructure as code, test driven deployment and DevOps.
• Strong understanding of information system security concepts and experience in regulated data environments such as PII, PCI, HIPAA, or CJIS.
• Experience with incident response and disaster recovery processes.
• Extensive experience in managing technology initiatives. Project Management and/or Scrum Master Certification are desired.
• Management experience over a diverse team of technology engineers.
• Demonstrated strength as a technology services ambassador, working with customers and executives, presenting technology concepts.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• Submit a resume and cover letter that identifies your experience as an IT leader and infrastructure services manager and describes the skills and vision you can bring to this role.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application form will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision.

Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?Employment Type: Regular - Other