Information Technology Director

INTRODUCTION

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles ("HACLA") was established in 1938 and has grown to become one of the nation’s largest and leading public housing authorities, providing the largest supply of quality affordable housing to residents of the City of Los Angeles.

HACLA is committed to preserving, enhancing, and expanding deeply affordable housing and improving the quality of life for Angelenos with a focus on People, Place, and Pathways to Opportunity.

To support this mission, we are seeking an expert in the field of Information Technology for the IT Department’s Director, a self-motivated, resilient and enthusiastic leader who can successfully multi-task, think creatively, and is passionate about providing exceptional customer service to all within the organization.

The Director of Information Technology is one of several core members of the leadership team that makes up HACLA’s Senior Management Team and will be responsible for driving a culture of operational excellence within the IT Department. This role will be focused on aligning the organization’s business processes with top-of-the line best in-service information technologies that will optimize strategic business practices, operational efficiency, and maximizing business results.

If you believe you have what it takes, please apply. HACLA encourages all interested candidates to apply by submitting an application through the following link: http://www.hacla.org/careers.

Characteristics of Class

The incumbent has the responsibility for formulating and implementing related policies and making decisions that affect resource allocation and the scope, direction, and control of proposed information systems. The incumbent ensures the continuous operation and delivery of enterprise, integrated business and administrative information services through the management of multiple information and communication systems including voice, data, workflow, imaging, and office automation.

In addition, this position leads the agency in developing, coordinating, and implementing information technology projects and initiatives that improve productivity and service delivery in a cost-effective manner that is consistent with industry best practices. The incumbent works with other senior management to develop and execute strategic plans to optimize the use of information technology in support of departmental goals and objectives. This responsibility includes but is not limited to identifying and integrating long-range automated information systems requirements into departmental strategic plans to ensure the meeting of Federal, State or other data collection and reporting mandates. Performs other related essential duties and responsibilities as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS STATEMENT

Essential functions may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes, assigns, directs, and evaluates the work of the Information Technology Department.
• Defines long-range automated information systems requirements; coordinates agency department input and recommends information system priorities, plans, policies and procedures to departmental management.
• Establishes and operates information systems governance structures within the department to ensure integrity of information technology architecture, system interoperability, support for critical systems and alignment of information technology initiatives and resources with the agency's strategic plan.
• Analyzes and assesses current and proposed plans; oversees and manages the development, design, implementation, and maintenance of automated information systems to ensure achievement of strategic long-range information requirements and integrates plans into overall strategic plans.
• Directs the development and maintenance of enterprise systems architecture and defines standards and protocols for data exchange, communications, software, and interconnection of the agency’s information systems.
• Develops and maintains IT policies and standards relating to the acquisition, implementation, and operation of information technology and communication systems to ensure that information integrity, security, and privacy are maintained.
• Directs the development and preparation of the departmental automated information systems budget for inclusion into the overall agency budget; provides advice and guidance to other departments on the development of their IT-related budgets.
• Directs the preparation of recommendations and justifications for additional resources including personnel, space, and materials necessary to meet a department's information technology requirements.
• Directs feasibility studies for proposed automated information systems, including the research and evaluation of alternatives for the enhancement or re-engineering of existing systems; directs the preparation of periodic and special reports, makes presentations to the Board of Commissioners related to annual updates and other information technology activities as necessary
• Oversees the work of contracted automation information systems services; monitors vendor performance related to these services including system development, implementation, and maintenance.
• Assesses departmental information systems equipment and/or service requirements; and makes recommendations to purchase/lease equipment and/or contract for services.
• Consults with departmental managers and users to identify system enhancements and integration and equipment needs; develops needs requirements and ensures that plans and timelines are compatible with long range development goals and objectives.
• Confers with senior departmental management regarding implementation and maintenance of information systems necessary to meet data collection and reporting mandates.
• Plans, directs, and supervises the development and delivery of training programs for management and technical personnel on the use and maintenance of automated systems and equipment.
• Advises departmental management of existing and emerging IT issues and trends and their implications for current and proposed departmental information systems.
• Chairs the IT steering committee to ensure appropriate governance of major strategic technology investments prioritized to realize the achievement of business value in line with the Board’s Strategic Vision
• Represents the agency on committees and in meetings with Federal, State, and County officials and with other local governmental agencies.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and/or training and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for acceptable job performance. Example combinations include:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration or closely related field -AND- five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing the design, development, implementation, operation, and maintenance of large complex information systems in a large, multi-service public- or private-sector organization.

Knowledge of:

Strong knowledge of administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program and budget development and implementation; leadership and techniques of effective supervision, work planning and organization; comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, housing authority operations, policies and procedures; knowledge of management principals and techniques, administrative practices including budget and fiscal controls, contracts and purchasing, management information systems and performance management, supervision and training; practices and techniques of Information Technology; applicable sections of federal, state and local codes and laws.

Expert Knowledge of:

Enterprise Systems such as Oracle; the principles of systems integration and design such as data sharing, Application Programmer Interfaces (API), and open architecture in order to better leverage existing system resources; new developments in technology such as the use of new functionalities in web design, and cloud technology sufficient to forecast the impact of new technological changes on agency operations; knowledge of technical terminology such as open data, cyber security, and artificial intelligence sufficient to explain terminology to all personnel including department representatives and senior management; knowledge of basic cyber security principles, best practices, and risks exposure related to agency-wide management information systems.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, assign, direct, and evaluate the work of others; meet schedules and timelines; establish, evaluate and implement administrative/operational policies, practices and procedures; plan, develop and direct programs; research data, analyze and evaluate issues and develop sound recommendations; prepare reports; interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; ability to concisely present ideas clearly and effectively; skill and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to meet with, explain, interpret, persuade and enlist the cooperation of others; ability to exercise independent judgement in a professional and competent manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Expert Ability and Skills in:

The management of technology service providers with hybrid delivery models including on-shore and off-shore resources; overseeing the implementation and management of collaborative suite of products from Microsoft including Office 365 and Azure; service delivery frameworks including practices from the Information Technology Infrastructure Library for activities in the areas of IT Service Management and IT Asset Management; providing Help Desk and Device Support Services for an Agency with a hybrid workforce; supporting a large number of devices located in multiple permanent or temporary office locations and computer labs; managing Application Services including supporting the migration of Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) on premise applications to Software; management of computer services from on premise server resources located in a primary Data Center and integrated with cloud-based computer services from services providers such as Azure; managing wide area networks with high-speed connectivity for multiple office locations providing transport services for computers, telephones, and cameras; managing security services in compliance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license. Employees must maintain a driving record, which meets the insurability requirement of the Housing Authority’s carrier.