Chief Technology Officer

The Superior Court of Placer County is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking information technology leader to support the court’s staff, judicial officers, and the communities they serve. The Chief Technology Officer is responsible for all aspects of the court’s technology tools and systems. The CTO is expected to develop and recommend short and long term technology strategies, implement complex mission-critical projects and information systems, and mentor a team of nine information technology professionals. The Superior Court of Placer County focuses on reliable solutions while exploring new methods to provide access to justice for constituents and ensure modern business tools are available to staff and judicial officers for the performance of their work. The Superior Court of Placer County CTO is also responsible for the Placer Court Hosting Center, which extends the court’s IT services to five other Superior Courts in California. This diverse role means the CTO must be a strong communicator, creative, strategic, flexible, and team oriented.

SUMMARY 

Under direction of Court Executive Officer, the Chief Technology Officer plans, directs and coordinates the technology-related operations and activities of the Placer County Superior Court and hosted courts; and performs a full range of duties including, but not limited to, exercising leadership in the formulation of technology strategy and establishment of long-term technology direction for the Court, establishing and implementing technology-related policies and procedures, maintaining the Court’s technology equipment and systems, and developing and directing the Court’s information technology personnel. 

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL

The Chief Technology Officer classification is established as an "at will" position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Court Executive Officer, who has the right to terminate the employment of anyone in this classification at any time, with or without advance notice, and with or without cause.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY

Incumbent has full supervisory responsibility for other employees and are highly involved in the Court’s technology-related strategic planning.  Incumbent works under general administrative direction where clear policies, procedures and standards may not always be available or may be very general in nature.  Incumbent must therefore exercise considerable discretion with respect to assignments and duties.  Errors in work or judgment could result in inefficient, or a complete halt of, Court operations, breaches in information security, poor community relations and possible litigation against the Court.

When assigned, all of the essential functions and tasks listed below must be accomplished effectively, are standard, and may not be inclusive of all functions and tasks that may be assigned. The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as required to achieve business and operational objectives.  Essential functions and tasks may include, but are not limited to those listed below.

• Monitor various factors, including technology trends, costs, and funding, in order to develop, recommend, and implement multi-year strategies that impact the technology direction of the Court.
• Oversee Court’s information technology functions, operations, policies, programs, resources and personnel directly and/or through subordinate supervisors.
• Select, train, monitor, mentor, coordinate and evaluate work of assigned staff; communicate expectations; provide coaching for performance improvement and development when necessary; recommend and issue corrective and/or disciplinary action to address performance or conduct issues.
• Design, engineer, and troubleshoot various IT-related systems.
• Monitor legislation and Rules of Court to assess impact on the Court’s technology requirements and develop and/or recommend policies, practices, processes and standards to ensure compliance.
• Serve as Court’s technology expert.
• Develop, prioritize and implement Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning needs for all IT-related systems.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work as necessary to meet critical deadlines.
• Develop, recommend, and monitor the Court’s information technology budget and expenses.
• Lead and/or participate in information technology procurement efforts.
• Negotiate and manage contracts related to the scope of responsibility.
• Maintain vendor relationships.
• Serve as a liaison to County Departments and the Judicial Council; represent the Court on technical advisory and standards committees; participate in state and national committee work and activities related to IT.
• Serve as a representative of the Court, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with members of the court community, governmental agencies, service providers, and the public.
• Maintain continuous positive relationships with Court management, judges and employees.
• Work evenings, nights and weekends and travel to locations in and outside Placer County, as required

Knowledge: 

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, training, and performance management.
• Principles and practices of motivation, team building and conflict resolution. 
• Principles, practices and procedures of public IT administration, as it relates to computer systems and application operation and support, local and wide area data communications, database, network security, telecommunications and audio-visual systems, electronic records and other Court systems.
• Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
• Basic principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of research and analysis, including cost benefit analysis.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Superior Court functions, services, processes, and procedures. 
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Basic principles of budgeting and forecasting.
• Office procedures, methods, equipment, and computer software.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Skills:

• Analyze relevant trends and make appropriate strategic recommendations that align with the mission and values of the Court.
• Ability to balance the strengths and weaknesses of different options and either make analytical decisions or recommend the best course of action.  
• Strong interpersonal skills to regularly interact with people; collaborate on teams frequently; and develop positive working relationships with colleagues.
• Leadership skills to effectively direct staff and oversee operations; coordinate work activities and ensure that staff complete duties and fulfill responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage several projects at once.
• Strong negotiation skills to support contract management.
• Strong speaking skills to give presentations and direct staff and other employees.

Abilities:

• Oversee and coordinate work activities to ensure responsibilities are completed timely and accurately. 
• Participate in the development of strategic technology-related goals and objectives.
• Perform demanding technical research and analysis involving complex technology issues.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and propose and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and/or project plans.
• Synthesize complex ideas and information into clear, concise, well-organized and accurate documents, reports and correspondence.
• Interpret, apply, and explain Federal and State laws and rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Select, supervise, train, coach and evaluate staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, County, outside agencies, contractors, Judicial Council staff, and customers.
• Use work-related computer equipment and applications.
• Maintain confidentiality of information, exercise discretion and use independent judgment within established scope of authority and make sound decisions.

Experience:  Minimum of seven (7) years of professional management-level experience in Information Technology.   California trial court experience is preferred.

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Management/Business Information Systems, Business/Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Note: Advanced degree may be substituted for two (2) years of experience. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for up to two (2) years of education. 

Certifications:

The following certifications are encouraged and may be required at the direction of the Court Executive Officer. When directed, incumbent must obtain within one (1) year and kept current through the course of employment with Placer Superior Court.

• CompTIA A
• CompTIA N
• CompTIA S
• COMTIA Project or similar
• MCSA
• CISSP
• CCNA

The Placer County Superior Court will pay for incumbent to attend class for any required initial certification and subsequent renewals. The Court will reimburse incumbent for two tests per certification and renewal. Failure to obtain or maintain certifications may result in separation of employment.

Salary : $128,357 - $169,042