Chief Information Officer

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Special Projects, Strategic Priorities, and Growth, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides college-wide leadership in all technology and information systems functions including the planning and implementation of enterprise IT systems and the learning management system. This position requires the technical knowledge and leadership abilities to move the IT team in the direction required to achieve the highest standards of technology and support for the College’s faculty, staff and students. Areas of responsibility include, but are not necessarily limited to, information systems, instructional/academic technology, administrative systems and processes, computer operations, technical support functions, communications, networks, computer applications/systems development and delivery systems.  

Essential Functions/Duties:  

• Develop, review, and comply with all Polk State policies and procedures for ensuring cost effective provision of academic and administrative technologies and supporting information systems. Develop and implement all IT policies and procedures including those for architecture, security, disaster recovery, standards, purchasing and service provision.
• Authorize and oversee the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development and support of all hardware and software based on institution-wide needs.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with personnel throughout the College to set priorities and achieve maximum support for, and enhancement of, IT services. Collaborates with Provost/VP, AA to ensure effective educational technology for academic offerings.
• Manage short and long term goal-setting and personnel responsible for actualization related to technology, emphasizing the College’s mission and strategic plan.
• Develop configuration and monitoring standards for network performance and implements and monitors controls to ensure the standards are maintained. Analyze requirements and applications to enhance information and reporting capabilities for management that meet the administrative needs of the College and are in compliance with all federal and state requirements.
• Analyze complex business needs presented by the user community and clients/colleagues and recommends technical solutions. Develop plans for implementation of new projects, coordinating process with project leaders.
• Work collaboratively with Vice President for Special Projects and Strategic Growth and other administrators to prepare budget and objectives related to college-wide technology. Develops business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives
• Manage IT staffing including: recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation of all IT staff per College’s approved policies and procedures. Coaches and directs IT staff in operational activities.
• Work with/ advise and support VP for Special Projects and Strategic Growth in negotiation and administration of vendor, consultant and service contracts related to IT. Lead all hardware and software evaluations along with vendor contracts for maintenance. Make purchasing recommendations and monitor contract performance to ensure the College receives the full scope of service detailed in IT contracts.
• Maintain awareness of changing IT trends and regulations which might impact the College and recommend/take corrective action as required/needed. Ensures ongoing professional development for IT department professional staff.
• Oversee provision of end-user services, including help desk and technical support services. Performs liaison duties between users, operations and programming personnel in the areas of systems design, modifications or trouble shooting.
• Collaboratively and effectively communicate with colleagues throughout the college.
• Manage the departmental budgeting process including ensuring expenditures are in compliance with state and federal laws and College Rule and Procedures.
• Monitor, coordinate, and design cyber security protocols to detect, mitigate, and respond to system, network, and other technology vulnerabilities to align to NIST 800-53 standards.

This position is a level P19. To determine starting salary, Polk State College takes into consideration the pay level minimum, the candidate's qualifications and internal equity factors.  

1. Demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art technologies, especially those that relate to higher education.
2. Ability to provide technology leadership for the College, including the ability to provide a strategic level of guidance in support of all IT initiatives, including academic and administrative technology across the College.
3. Ability to ensure the privacy and security of user information systems.
4. Ability to advance student, faculty and staff productivity with technology support.
5. Ability to effectively manage information technology assets.
6. Ability to effectively and tactfully communicate orally and in writing with a variety of contacts of considerable importance within and outside of the College.
7. Ability to work independently on broad general activities with the responsibility for planning and delegation of work.
8. Ability to make major decisions within broad limitations of policies, professional standards with work reviewed through consultation and agreement with others rather than by directives from superiors.
9. Ability to work cooperatively with college personnel.

Required Education:

Graduation from a regionally-accredited college or university with a master’s degree in a Business/Technology field.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in higher education Information Technology in an administrative role is required.

We offer an excellent employer-paid benefits package including the following: Medical, Dental, Life, Long-Term Disability, Vacation (except faculty), Holiday and Sick Leave, Retirement (if eligible) and college fee waivers.  Other employee-paid, voluntary benefits (vision, short-term disability, etc.) are also available.

Important Information:

Application Requirements: A completed online application consists of:

• a resume,
• unofficial transcripts (with degree and date conferred, inclulding evaluation for international degree), and
• an electronic job application (all sections completed).

Submissions that do not include all required information will not be considered. 

• Background Screening: Reference checks, successful completion of a Level II background check (fingerprinting), and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.

• Administrator/Executive Transcripts:  For professional/salaried positions (P17 and above), please upload your unofficial transcripts and redact any of the following items which appear on the transcript: Social security number, birth date, age, gender, and date of high school graduation. Unofficial transcripts must include the degree and date conferred.
  • ​​​​​​​Foreign Transcripts:  For staff positions where degrees are required, all international degrees must have their coursework evaluated in terms of U.S. "equivalency." Polk State College requires that all international credential evaluations be conducted by one of the companies affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES®). More information about NACES® affiliatescan be obtained at the NACES® website. 
  • Submission of official transcripts will be required as a condition of employment following receipt of job offer.

• Veterans’ Preference: Administrator-level positions (P17 and above) are exempt from veteran’s preference consideration, per Florida Statute 110.205.

• As a general rule, Polk State College does not provide H1-B visa sponsorship. Exceptions may be made based on the College's need for a candidate with unique skills and expertise and where the College cannot otherwise recruit and hire qualified non-sponsored candidates.