It Manager - Spatial Services

Salary: $123,019.12 - $166,177.58 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Regular - Other
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 23-00756
Department: Information Technology
Division: IT-Administration
Opening Date: 11/22/2023
Description
Position Summary
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 managing the enterprise implementation and ongoing evolution of several spatial technologies, including GIS, asset management systems, and drones. You will manage a dedicated team that administers spatial data, designs and delivers high-value applications, and provides exceptional customer service.
Our Spatial Services customers include internal Pierce County departments along with regional partners comprised of other local governments and businesses. Understanding their strategic directions and diverse needs and assessing how spatial technologies can support them will enable you to develop and implement a strategic plan for Spatial Services to guide growth, resources, and budget requirements.
This role is an opportunity to be an Information Technology ambassador across the County.
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 1,000 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 Spatial Services unit of IT consists of 15 highly skilled staff with extensive knowledge and experience in asset management implementation, GIS application design, spatial database management and data collection methods, advanced spatial analysis techniques and customer support / training.
How to be Successful in the Role:
We are looking for an expert technology manager with specific experience and knowledge of GIS-related technologies, spatial data management, and asset management strategies. You are experienced in delivering custom and commercial technology solutions following modern solution delivery methodologies and strong project and program management practices.
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:
The IT Manager - Spatial Services is 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 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 GIS and asset management operations, which includes an on-premises virtualized GIS using ArcGISPro and ArcGIS Enterprise as well as ArcGIS Online, and a cloud implementation of Enterprise Asset Management.
• Oversee enterprise spatial application development in support of internal and external GIS users and field collection staff countywide, spatial database administration and spatial data development, enterprise asset management implementation, countywide UAV program management, and customer support and training.
• Connect with customers to understand their business needs and directions and strategize how spatial technologies can support them. Ensure service level expectations are clear, and needs are being met or exceeded. Maintain a strategic plan for Spatial Services to guide growth, resources, and budget in the support of department and public needs.
• 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 to make full use of individual capabilities and to meet changing technical and organizational demands.
• Provide technical input and recommendations for contracts, grants, 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 and strategic directions.
• 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.
• Participate as member of the IT management team to meet overall IT goals. Develop and maintain standards for security, effective communication, collaboration, and excellent customer service. Partner closely with other unIT Managers to ensure proactive planning, smooth deployment, and excellent on-going support for their solutions.
• Serve as a technology ambassador and liaison for the Information Technology Division by establishing and providing proactive communication with clients, County leadership, regional partners, and team members. Conduct outreach to peer organizations, and external clients. Be a visible leader in organizational change management for IT-related initiatives.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in information technology, science, engineering, or related field.
• Eight years of applications development or delivery experience, including:
• Four or more years of complex project management experience.
• Four or more years supervising technology professionals.
• Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.

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.
Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of GIS and asset management concepts, capabilities, and strategies. Familiarity with the Esri GIS platform.
• Software applications development and systems implementation methodologies and management practices. Project management certification.
• Strong management skills and experience supporting a diverse team of technology engineers.
• Experience with budget, contracting, vendor negotiation and management.
• Solid understanding of software system security concepts and experience in some regulated data environments such as PII, PCI, HIPAA, or CJIS.
• Familiarity with UAV systems.
• Proven strong customer service values.
• Demonstrated strength as a technology services ambassador, working with customers and executives, presenting technology concepts.

Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at 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 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 assessments, phone screen, and 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?
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.