IT LEAD - INFRASTRUCTURE

Full Job Description

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Service Line/Section: Houston Public Works - IT / Infrastructure
Reporting Location: 611 Walker
Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday/8:00am - 5:00pm
* Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
GENERALSUMMARY:

The IT Lead – Infrastructure (IoT/OT) provides technical leadership for Houston Public Works’ Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure.

This role leads daily operations, supervises and guides technical staff, oversees IoT/OT systems lifecycle management, and ensures secure, reliable, resilient connectivity for field sensors, SCADA-adjacent systems, industrial controllers, wireless networks, and critical infrastructure assets.

The position coordinates closely with Cybersecurity, Network, Field Operations, Utility Operations, and Enterprise IT teams to support smart-city and industrial-environment technologies that directly enable HPW mission-critical services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

MANAGEMENT: Functions as a technical lead with limited supervisory responsibilities, planning, organizing, and assigning work for the IoT/OT Infrastructure team.

Provides staff coaching, mentoring, and guidance; contributes to performance evaluations and technical development.

Assists manager with recruitment, training, personnel development, and maintaining a secure, discrimination-free, safety-focused work environment.

Establish team goals that support organizational objectives by gathering operational, financial, and service-related information.

OPERATIONS: Oversees the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, and lifecycle management of IoT and OT infrastructure—including sensors, industrial edge devices, controllers, gateways, telemetry networks, and related platforms.

Develops team schedules, assigns and monitors work, and resolves operational issues.

Implements productivity and customer service standards; evaluates trends and IoT/OT system health to improve reliability and performance.

Provides technical leadership in evaluating new IoT/OT technologies, connectivity models, and architecture strategies.

Help plan and implement backup, redundancy, and disaster-recovery procedures for field and plant environments. Supports budget planning, cost tracking, and resource utilization efforts.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Maintains customer-service standards by enforcing operational policies and procedures.

Collaborates with utility divisions, field operations, engineers, vendors, and IT teams to resolve IoT/OT service issues.

Performs service quality assessments, analyzes customer feedback, and implements improvements.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions.

This is a Houston Public Works position at the Tier III Level.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field. Information systems-specific technical certifications may be substituted for 1 year of either the education or the experience requirement, as applicable. Related professional Information Systems experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
At least six (6) years of technology experience supporting IT infrastructure including networks, security, and hardware. System-specific technical certifications will often be required. System specific technical certifications may be considered for substitution for 1 year of experience.

A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the experience requirement.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
None

Qualifications

IoT/OT Technical Skills

Industrial networking (ISA/IEC-62443 concepts, segmentation, Purdue Model, VLANs, VPN, serial-to-IP gateways)

IoT protocols (MQTT, CoAP, OPC-UA, Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, BACnet)

Edge computing and gateway administration (Cisco, Sierra Wireless, Advantech, Cradlepoint, etc.)

Sensor and telemetry systems used in utilities (AMI, water/wastewater process telemetry, asset-tracking sensors)

Wireless technologies (LoRaWAN, private LTE, CBRS, Wi-Fi, mesh networks)

Operational Technology & Industrial Practices

Experience working in utility, water/wastewater, transportation, or industrial control environments

Familiarity with SCADA principles (not system administration, but field-device and network integration support)

OT asset inventory, lifecycle management, and field device deployment

Understanding of operational resiliency, redundancy, and failover practices in industrial environments

Enterprise & Management Skills

ITSM/ITIL frameworks

Experience with network monitoring tools, IoT platforms, or telemetry dashboards

Vendor and contractor coordination

Project coordination or project management experience

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

Additional Information

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None
However, the department may administer a skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: Yes
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE 30

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-395-2976.

If you need special services or accommodations 832-395-2976 (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.