IT Operations Coordinator

The IT Operations Coordinator at Cowlitz County plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the IT infrastructure, applications, and systems across the organization. This position is responsible for managing IT operations, including the coordination of internal IT staff, contracted staff, vendors, and project teams to ensure the optimal delivery of IT services and systems. The IT Operations Coordinator will focus on supporting ongoing IT projects, overseeing system performance, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining effective communication across departments and with external partners.

This role requires a combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to coordinate and manage external contractors, vendors, and project teams. The IT Operations Coordinator ensures that all IT systems operate efficiently, security measures are in place, and key projects are delivered on time.

Benefits Information:

Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision (includes dependent coverage)
• VEBA/Health Retirement Account for those who qualify
• Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System
• Life Insurance 
• Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)
• Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Reasonable work hours

The County:

1. Oversee IT Operations: Coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, hardware, and software, ensuring systems are reliable and operational.
2. Contractor and Vendor Management: Manage and direct the work of contracted IT staff, external vendors, and project teams, ensuring timely and high-quality service delivery. Collaborate with contractors to address IT-related issues and optimize system performance.
3. Project Coordination: Assist in planning, executing, and monitoring IT projects. Ensure that projects meet objectives, deadlines, and budget requirements while maintaining effective communication across internal teams and external contractors.
4. Monitor and Troubleshoot Systems: Monitor system performance, including network traffic, server health, and application performance. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, escalating when necessary to appropriate team members or vendors.
5. Security and Compliance: Ensure all IT systems and operations adhere to organizational security protocols and compliance standards. Assist with security audits and coordinate with IT Security teams to identify and mitigate risks.
6. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain up-to-date documentation of IT processes, systems configurations, vendor contracts, and system performance. Prepare operational and project reports for internal stakeholders, including leadership teams.
7. IT Asset Management: Oversee IT asset management, including hardware and software inventory, ensuring proper tracking, licensing, and compliance with organizational policies.
8. Team Collaboration and Communication: Foster effective communication between internal IT teams, contractors, vendors, and stakeholders. Ensure collaboration across teams to meet organizational IT objectives.
9. Support IT Projects and Improvements: Actively participate in IT infrastructure projects and process improvements. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure all technology solutions meet business needs.
10. Training and Support: Provide training and guidance to internal staff on IT systems and best practices. Offer ongoing support to ensure employees effectively use IT resources and tools.
11. Incident Response and Problem Solving: Investigate and resolve incidents or issues affecting IT systems. Provide root cause analysis and ensure corrective actions are implemented to prevent future occurrences.
12. Manage IT Priorities and Resources: Utilize project management best practices to prioritize IT tasks and ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet operational and project needs.
13. Oversee System Monitoring Tools: Manage and monitor IT system performance using appropriate tools. Ensure system alerts and incidents are tracked and resolved in a timely manner.
14. Support Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Participate in disaster recovery planning and testing, ensuring that IT operations align with business continuity requirements.
15. Manage Contractors and IT Staff: Lead and direct the work of IT staff and contractors assigned to specific projects. Ensure work is completed on schedule and that project objectives are met.
16. Prepare Reports for Leadership: Prepare clear, concise reports for management, detailing project progress, system performance, and any issues or concerns that may require attention.
17. Research and Recommend IT Solutions: Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and IT solutions to recommend improvements that align with business goals and optimize operational efficiency.
18. Ensure Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) are Met: Work with contractors and vendors to ensure that all IT service agreements and SLAs are met, ensuring timely responses and issue resolution. Continuously improve Cowlitz County’s information security by staying updated on the latest threats, trends, and technology. Define and drive the security roadmap.

1. Education, Experience, and Training: 
   • Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
   • 2-3 years of experience in IT operations, systems administration, or technical support, with at least 1-2 years of experience in managing technical staff in technical positions.
2. Project Management: Experience in coordinating and managing IT projects, including planning, executing, and monitoring progress to meet business needs.
3. Leadership Skills: Ability to lead and manage external contractors and internal IT staff to achieve project goals and deadlines.
4. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with stakeholders.

1. Service Delivery: Expertise Continuous Improvement of IT Services and Delivery
2. Certification: 
   • ITIL certification or other relevant IT operations certifications.
   • Project management certification (PMP, Agile) is a plus.
3. Technical Skills: Understanding of IT infrastructure, hardware, software, and network technologies.
   • Familiarity with IT service management tools and methodologies.
   • Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, m365) is a plus.
4. Security and Compliance Awareness: Understanding of IT security best practices and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53) is highly desirable.

Salary : $91,800 - $114,756