What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Information Technology, Full Time (1.0 FTE) position at Portland Public Schools, Maine?
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the IT department, ensuring efficient workflows, effective service delivery, and alignment with district priorities.
- Lead, supervise, and develop IT department staff, ensuring they have the skills, training, and resources needed to succeed.
- Develop and implement the district's long-term technology vision, goals, and strategies, ensuring alignment with educational priorities, operational needs, and state requirements, including Capital Improvement Project budgets and the State Technology Plan.
- Facilitate decision-making processes to determine which IT projects to pursue, considering impact, feasibility, and resource availability.
- Stay informed on district, state, and national educational technology trends, advising the Superintendent and leadership team on their implications, including MLTI and other state technology initiatives.
- Provide strategic oversight and hands-on leadership in managing the district’s IT infrastructure, including network architecture, cloud computing, virtualization, and enterprise storage solutions.
- Oversee and maintain district technology systems, including network infrastructure, communication platforms (phones, email), and enterprise applications.
- Design, implement, and maintain secure, scalable, and high-performing IT systems to support instructional and operational needs.
- Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning, ensuring robust data backup, failover strategies, and system redundancy.
- Oversee and optimize Active Directory services, including Group Policy management, identity and access controls, and directory synchronization.
- Research, evaluate, and implement hardware and software solutions that balance cost-effectiveness, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems.
- Provide technical leadership in the rollout of new technology systems or specialized projects, ensuring seamless integration and minimal disruption to district operations.
- Develop and enforce IT policies, administrative guidelines, and standard operating procedures, including the district’s acceptable use policy.
- Ensure compliance with industry best practices and regulations related to cybersecurity, data protection, and technology usage (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA).
- Lead the district’s cybersecurity strategy, including risk assessment, security monitoring, and proactive threat mitigation.
- Maintain and regularly update the district's incident response plan to address security threats and IT disruptions.
- Oversee technology risk management initiatives, including audits, compliance reviews, and adherence to IT governance frameworks.
- Develop and implement structured project plans, ensuring IT initiatives align with district goals and operational needs.
- Establish clear project milestones, deliverables, and timelines, monitoring progress to ensure timely and successful completion.
- Identify, prioritize, and manage multiple concurrent projects, balancing department capacity with district needs.
- Plan and advocate for the budget required to acquire, maintain, and upgrade major technology systems while ensuring responsible expenditure of resources.
- Manage vendor and service provider relationships, ensuring programmatic and financial value for district contracts and agreements.
- Conduct audits of existing technology systems to identify redundancies and inefficiencies, leading to smarter, more strategic investments.
- Gather feedback from technology users to improve IT services, address concerns, and enhance user experience.
- Collaborate with IT leaders from other districts to share knowledge and establish best practices.
- Work closely with other district departments to integrate technology solutions effectively into daily operations.
- Prepare and present IT updates, proposals, and strategic recommendations to the School Board, district leadership, and other stakeholders.
- At least 10 years of professional IT experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role managing staff and administrative functions.
- Proven management experience in public sector, municipal, or educational settings.
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (equivalent experience considered).
- Expertise in IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, compliance, cloud computing, virtualization, and IT governance.
- Knowledge of Active Directory and related technologies.
- Extensive experience in budgeting, resource management, personnel management, project management, and strategic planning.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to develop diverse IT teams and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience managing technology budgets, overseeing procurement processes, and conducting cost-benefit analyses for IT investments.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced municipal or public sector environments, balancing multiple priorities.
- Experience implementing new technologies and transitioning from legacy systems.
- Reaching/handling/manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other computer components.
- Occasionally lift boxes, equipment, etc. weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment.
- Must be able to travel to schools within the district.
- Frequent near and far visual acuity with or without visual accommodation to read printed materials and computer screen or other monitoring devices.
- Hearing/speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
- Maine State fingerprint authorization (Criminal History Records Check)
- Website: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/index.html
- Occasional extended work hours and attendance at evening meetings.
JobID: 4939
Position Type:
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION/Computer Technician
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION/Computer Technician
Date Posted:
3/12/2025
3/12/2025
Location:
Central Office
Central Office
Date Available:
03/31/2025
03/31/2025
Closing Date:
03/28/2025
03/28/2025
Are you a problem solver passionate about leveraging technology to enhance educational outcomes and making systems more efficient? Do you get excited about using technology to drive student learning and future readiness through our 1:1 technology initiative and enhance operations for staff? If so, we invite you to apply for the role of Director of Information Technology at Portland Public Schools!
This position plays a critical role in ensuring the security, functionality, and efficiency of the district’s technology systems. The Director leads the IT Department, overseeing both on-site and remote technical support, managing complex technology operations, and aligning IT priorities with the district’s vision and goals to support a diverse population of staff and students.
The Director supervises IT staff, deploys personnel as needed, and ensures technology operations align with district policies. Strong leadership, project management, communication, and budgeting skills are essential to oversee system-wide initiatives, drive cross-department collaboration, and guide long-term technology planning.
This year-round position includes a generous benefits package, including 20 annual vacation days and full health and dental benefits. The starting salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000, based on experience.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The below statements describe the general nature and scope of work being performed in this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
Leadership, Team Oversight, and Strategic Planning
Technical Leadership & IT Infrastructure Management
Cybersecurity, Compliance & Policy Development
Project & Budget Management
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EXPERIENCE
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
Salary : $120,000 - $140,000
