Chief Information Officer

Full Job Description

Application assessments will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

Please Note: This is currently a Hybrid position with requirements for flexible days working in-office at our Olympia, WA location.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents.

DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

About Technology Service Division:
Technology Services Division (TSD) is responsible for supporting Department of Enterprise Services which is a central services organization providing support and services for state agencies, cities and municipalities, higher education, vendors, and the citizens of the state of Washington. Some of the services include contracting, mail, fleet, surplus, printing and imaging, workforce support & development, enterprise risk management, visitor services, finance and HR for internal and small agencies, and facilities, and capital campus security systems.

TSD is not just another team in a government agency. We are an innovative, cross-functional, and high-performing group that focuses on providing seamless solutions and IT consultative services to our customers and business partners. We embrace a customer-driven IT environment by working collaboratively to solve problems.

About this Position:
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) position has overall accountability for the vision and leadership of the Technology Services Division (TSD) Division within the Department of Enterprise Services. The CIO provides a strategic voice at the highest level of agency management to lead the integration of business values, processes, and information technology. This position requires acute internal and external customer focus, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to create and lead engaged teams. This role requires an understanding of both business and technology and must be able to form effective cross-divisional working relationships. This position is required to understand business requirements for agency programs and customers. The incumbent must be able to adapt to constant change, prioritizing projects and be able to explain the importance of new technology to business partners. The position requires effective planning to reduce technical risks while continuing to move forward in the implementation of technology needs, to improve efficiencies.

The CIO will have authority over all DES-IT resources and will be responsible for delivery of quality IT services that support the business needs of DES business programs and customers.

The position will exercise leadership influence and experience to develop and lead DES’ technology vision and mission.

The CIO leads TSD in the strategy, planning, implementation, and integration of all information systems and manages key relationships with business partners and internal stakeholders.

This position is responsible for ensuring IT strategies and processes support the agency’s goals and are sustainable for DES Business programs, in alignment with the state enterprise and WaTech policies.

The CIO balances the need for strategic leadership with the execution and ongoing delivery of focused IT services.

We are seeking an experienced CIO who possesses self-awareness, is focused on relationship-building, empowers others, garners credibility, presents oneself as constant and consistent and is fully present.

The CIO is part of the agency leadership team, and reports to the DES Chief Transformation Officer.

Contact the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan via email: jobs@des.wa.gov and request the full job description.

Requirements

Duties, Expectations and Responsibilities (but not limited to), that DES is seeking to achieve in selecting our next Chief Information Officer to lead the Technology Services Division

This role is ultimately responsible for all agency IT operations, applications and systems which include responding to critical business needs and giving full support to operations staff.

The CIO represents the division when working with external client agencies, businesses, education partners, and the executive and legislative branches.

Our vision for the CIO will be to plan, lead, organize and direct TSD work performed by the organization, and provide consultation to business partners to support our agency’s needs.

You will achieve this by working in partnership with the agency’s Chief Transformation Officer.

Your expert knowledge will provide direction for updating legacy systems to modern platforms and support the process of regularly updating agency technology and infrastructure.

Your ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, regulations and best practices for enterprise computing, eCommerce, eGovernment and using data to assess issues, evaluate options, and make sound decisions will create sustainable, and effective IT solutions.

An essential responsibility of the CIO will be to ensure fiscal accountability and sound resource management. The biennial operating budget of $3.4 million is set by the DES Executive Cabinet.

You will provide estimations for the financial costs of all IT projects to include both DES projects and Enterprise projects.

To learn more about the full duties, expectations and responsibilities of this position, email the recruiter: rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov to request the full job description.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications, Education, Experience, and Competencies
To qualify for this position, you must have a total of 15 years of any combination of qualifying education or qualifying experience.
Qualifying experience: Proven experience and demonstrated capability in leading an Information Technology or similar team to deliver innovative and agile IT solutions while building and maintaining productive relationships.
Qualifying education: Computer Science, Information Management System, Business Administration, or related field from a college of university whose accreditation is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Here are multiple ways to meet the qualifications for this position:
[OPTION 1]

• Fifteen (15) years of qualifying experience

[OPTION 2]

• Eleven (11) years of qualifying experience AND a bachelor’s degree in a qualifying area

[OPTION 3]

• Thirteen (13) years of qualifying experience AND an associate degree in information systems or related technical discipline

[OPTION 4]

• Thirteen (13) years of qualifying experience AND two (2) years of vocational training in a technical field
  

Required Experience and Competencies:

• Expert understanding of IT and/or financial systems development and implementation, including strong business–IT partnership (ERP experience preferred)
• Agile and responsive to evolving organizational needs and priorities
• Ability to define a clear vision and guide the organization in achieving it
• Strong commitment to public service and customer-focused outcomes
• Confident, data-driven, and fair decision-maker
• Excellent communicator, effective with diverse audiences including technical staff, financial professionals, executives, and government leadership
• Proven experience leading complex organizational change, with the ability to adapt quickly and recommend effective technology solutions
• Curious and forward-thinking, with interest in innovation and continuous improvement in technology and business processes
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders
• Experience in business planning and budget management
• Supportive of government transformation strategies, including shared services, enterprise systems, and cost-effective service delivery approaches

Required Expertise and Competencies:

• Expert proficiency in consultation, using collaborative approaches to advise on curriculum design, training needs, program improvement, and leadership development
• Strong research and analytical skills to interpret data, anticipate trends, and inform decision-making
• Excellent communication skills, including delivering presentations and clear written materials for diverse audiences, and effectively engaging senior and executive leaders
• Experience developing and implementing programs, policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and manage multiple priorities effectively
• Demonstrated success in designing and delivering high-quality training and development programs
• Ability to foster a performance-driven culture aligned with organizational goals
• Skilled in consulting, problem-solving, and using data to evaluate issues and recommend solutions
• Innovative and strategic thinker with strong organizational and political awareness
• Experience in employee performance management, including setting expectations, conducting reviews, and supporting development
• Proficient in budget planning, development, and fiscal oversight

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating, improving, and supporting strategies that promote an enduring environment of equity, inclusion, and belonging in our organization.

Find the full DEI competencies and their descriptions on this page.

Leadership Competencies:
Incumbents at DES in a supervisory or leadership position are required to demonstrate the Washington State Enterprise Leadership Competencies which can be found on this page.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Experience with state government and its accounting and budget processes
• Experience working with upper-level IT staff to develop and implement agency strategic goals
• Certification or hands-on knowledge in one or more of the following
  • Agile
  • Product Management
  • ITIL
  • ITSM
• Experience working with executives and senior-level policy makers is desirable. Incumbent must be able to see the big picture and impact, as well as the pragmatic business application issues
• Review legislation: Experience analyzing proposed legislation, regulations, or rule changes to determine how an organization's technology services could be impacted
• Political process: Experience with the political/legislative process. This experience may include researching and providing information as testimony before a legislative or other government committee
• Experience in mediation and other forms of dispute resolution
• Experience Developing IT & Technology strategies and roadmaps, while ensuring its ability to be implemented
• Practical understanding of recruitment and performance management practices and strategies
• Ability to communicate effectively with frontline staff through senior leadership and broad levels of audiences

Additional Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed.

Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that details why you are the successful candidate, and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into The Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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