Director of Statewide IT

DIRECTOR OF STATEWIDE IT

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Statewide IT (DSIT) reports directly to the ACLU of Southern California’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), is a member of the ACLU of Southern California (SoCal) IT team, and is responsible for the design, management, administration and implementation of information and telecommunication systems at SoCal, ACLU California Action (Cal Action), and ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties (SDIC) (the CA ACLUs).

Under the guidance and direction of the CIO, with dotted line to the SoCal, Cal Action and SDIC Executive Directors, and in collaboration with CA ACLU teams, the DSIT provides professional, technical, and administrative leadership in establishing the direction and effectiveness of information technologies and in meeting short and long term demands of all affiliate departments and locations.

The DSIT works with the CIO to develop strategic planning and provide oversight of all technology needs for the CA ACLUs, including telecommunications, office equipment, external services (web hosting, cloud-based, and on-line services), including those under the management of our Managed Services Provider (MSP) (computer networks, internet and on-line services, servers, software and disaster recovery/business continuity, etc.).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership, vision, and management for the affiliates in all matters related to information systems and telecommunication systems and their respective technologies

• Analyze information and technology needs from a strategic and operational perspective
• Partner with SoCal’s IT Team and with CA ACLU stakeholders to analyze business requirements, leverage existing and necessary software and services, and develop forms, processes, workflows and automations to meet the needs of staff across the CA ACLUs.
• Determine priorities of information systems projects and tasks, and track their progress
• Develop and manage annual technology-related operational and capital budgets in collaboration with the CIO, SoCal’s Director of IT and CA ACLU stakeholders
• Coordinate the evaluation of specialized software applications and services – arrange demos, facilitate evaluations, and negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts, including security review and requirements
• Engage with outside vendors/consultants in the generation of RFPs, bids, contracts, agreements, and other major vendor interactions related to information systems and services not provided by the MSP. Works with internal and pro bono counsel to review to ensure contracts meet ACLU standards.
• Create, manage and maintain affiliate and statewide SharePoint-based intranets using Powell Software’s Intranet CMS software
• Work with SoCal IT Team to plan, develop, deploy and manage Microsoft Teams for the CA ACLUs, including private and shared collaborative spaces. Assist with migration of file-server-based data into the Teams infrastructure.
• Develop and administer (in collaboration with the IT Team as appropriate) statewide and affiliate-specific software and security training opportunities, Intranet-based reference articles and video instruction to maximize our investment in software and services as well as cybersecurity.
• MSP Oversight/Management:
• In collaboration with the CIO and SoCal’s Director of IT, ensure the integrity, security, continual operation, and optimization of IT services, including proper configuration and management of all servers, switches, routers, firewalls, VPNs, UPSs, telecommunications hardware and software, security systems, anti-virus/malware; systems, internet connectivity, cloud-based services, and network storage devices by engaging directly with MSP to request (as needed) and review provided reporting
• Ensure proper software licensing, registrations, and renewals
• Ensure development (when required), review, certification and maintenance of backup and business continuity/disaster recovery procedures
• Monitor helpdesk tickets to ensure timely responses and adequate solutions
• Work with MSP, Human Resources and Operations to ensure timely on-boarding and off-boarding of staff and interns
• Manage domain name registrations and renewals, and DNS management as required
• Maintain electronic inventory system
• Participate in all-staff, departmental and IT Committee meetings as requested and to review strategic goals and initiatives
• Develop technology-related policies and procedures, including data security policies, standards, and procedures, and ensure policies are in place and adhered to
• Manage all on-line services and subscriptions not managed by MSP
• Manage IT-related matters involving the CA ACLU’s public websites (accounts, DNS, hosting, etc.)
• Answer staff IT support questions via email, phone and/or videoconference, using remote access when requested for supported software applications and services
• Keep staff informed about important technology issues and developments, including security, malware, and potentially harmful services
• Engage with the National ACLU organization on behalf of the CA ACLUs, including participation in IT, InfoSec and Operations group meetings. Respond on behalf of the CA ACLUs to IT and InfoSec inquiries from National.
• General systems administration tasks

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Keep current with the latest technologies and determine what new technology solutions and implementations will meet business and system requirements
• Manage internal systems, including coordinated systems with individual departments; employee hire/exit processes with HR; case management systems with Legal, etc.
• Document & update installation, configuration, deployment & maintenance procedures
• Document common hardware and software tasks to continue to build a knowledgebase for staff and interns on the intranet
• Provide IT training and orientations for new staff members and interns
• Arrange for proper, environmentally sound, and secure disposal of all retired hardware and equipment (in coordination with MSP and Operations)
• Process and approve invoices, check requests, etc. for IT products and services based on each CA ACLU’s protocols.
• Other duties as assigned

OTHER INFORMATION:

The position of Director of Statewide IT requires:

• A willingness to work beyond a standard 7.5 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events. Work weeks exceeding 40 hours may occur.
• Model professional workplace behavior and standards, and clearly and enthusiastically demonstrate guiding principles of integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, and leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Sound understanding of computer systems, networking, security, telecommunications, databases, and storage systems
• Solid working knowledge of all relevant technologies and security protocols
• Expertise in Microsoft 365 technologies
• Expertise in SharePoint design preferred
• Expertise in Microsoft Teams, including deployment and management
• Expertise with Content Management systems, preferably with intranets, including configuration and maintenance
• Expertise with Project/Task Management systems, preferably Asana, including design, implementation and maintenance
• Expertise in SQL Server preferred but not required
• Experience with Business Analysis or programming design preferred but not required
• Excellent written and verbal communications, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to think strategically, operationalize vision, exercise good judgement, and manage and prioritize tasks and projects. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Team oriented

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, information systems, computer science or related field (graduate degree a plus), or demonstrated comparable experience
• Minimum four years’ leadership experience in technology systems, IT infrastructure or cybersecurity
• Minimum two years’ experience overseeing IT teams and projects
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, particularly those working in social justice, is preferred
• Certifications and continuing education preferred but not required

RACIAL EQUITY COMPETENCIES

Understanding, Applying, and Working for Racial Equity

• Demonstrate commitment to building or deepening understanding of racial equity:
  • Core terms and concepts such as structural racism, white privilege, and anti-Blackness.
  • The role that racial inequity has played and continues to play in our society.
  • How race impacts supervisory relationships, team dynamics, and organizational culture.
  • Personal/implicit/unconscious bias.
• Consistently assess structural implications and racially disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions within the context of their job responsibilities; race/ethnicity, intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, identity, and/or sexual orientation.
• Consistently adhere to organization’s racial equity policies and procedures, including those that relate to hiring, retention, and promotion.
• Consistently identify and disrupt ways in which bias plays out in work and/or team.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their eligible dependents; life and long-term, short-term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with employer match; ample vacation and sick leave and twenty-two paid holidays.