Under the general supervision of the Director of Utilities, responsible for City of New Ulm and Public Utilities Commission information technology operations and related work. This position will administrate technical and operating support of the City’s technology-related hardware, software, and networking systems, to ensure the stability, security and optimization of voice, data, and wireless network systems. This position provides technological strategy to other technology staff, troubleshoots, and provides solutions for the City’s network, LAN, SCADA systems, servers, VOIP, phone systems, workstations, and other electronic equipment. Assists all City departments by making recommendations and providing direction for purchasing specialized hardware, software, and implementation of technology systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Provide administrative and supervisory direction to Information Technology personnel and participate in the recruitment, selection, promotion, and discipline.
• Establishes vendor relationships and provides project oversight as the City liaison.
• Maintain organization's effectiveness and efficiency by defining, delivering, and supporting strategic plans for integration and implementation of information technologies.
• Performs installation, maintenance, repair, training and supports hardware, software, and security projects for the network including VOIP, wireless equipment, servers, firewalls, switches, routers, cabling, and other equipment essential to City functions.
• Anticipate project and program requirements. Recommend and implement information technology strategies, policies, and procedures by evaluating organization outcomes; identifying problems; evaluating trends.
• Provide technical assistance and training to end-users for technical applications through personal assistance, group training seminars, and periodic email communications on IT related items.
• Manage operation and maintenance of information technology and related equipment.
• Collaborate with department supervisors on information technology projects and provide innovative solutions to ensure growth and align technology properly to the City’s departments.
• Preserve assets by evaluating risks, implementing disaster recovery and back-up procedures, and maintaining information security and control structures.
• Provide needs analysis and recommendations regarding information technology and communications hardware, systems support, and staffing requirements. Coordinate requisitions.
• Accomplish financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing budgets; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective action.
• Manage customer service and support for Internet services provided by the City, including creating and implementing policy and methodology for providing customer services, after-hours support and response, and inventory/equipment management.
• Maintain proper documentation, shared understanding of all technology systems, and provides reports and key performance indicators on overall systems health.
• Responsible for cybersecurity including implementation, assessment, training, and oversight.
• Assume lead role in acquiring, supporting, and maintaining communication technology, including WANs, LANs, internet connections, phone systems, cellular assets, and wireless networks.
• Regularly assess and audit IT assets and IT policy/procedures.
• Collaborate with PUC department staff regarding network connection of electric, gas, water, and wastewater SCADA networks and fiber’s ISP network.
• Administer Office 365 tenant.
• Responsible for maintaining effective communication and relations with all City employees and external stakeholders.
• Serves on the Emergency Management Committee.
• Serves as Information Security Officer for the City.
• Hours outside of the regular work schedule will be required for on-call and emergencies.

The aforementioned functions are normal for this position. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA’s)

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of database management, networking, firewall, VPNs, virtualization, programming, and systems design.
• Ability to troubleshoot advanced levels of technology equipment and systems and provide resolutions to the problems.
• Knowledge of servers, server operating systems, and administration of servers including Windows and Linux.
• Knowledge of telecommunications equipment, phone systems, VOIP and POTS.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of security systems, camera systems, and fire alarm systems.
• Ability to document processes, workflows, and necessary technology documentation.
• Knowledge of water, wastewater, gas, and electrical utility systems and infrastructure and how SCADA technology integrates and monitors such systems.
• Ability to formulate long range system development plans and to schedule and supervise personnel resources in the implementation of such plans.
• Strong customer service skills, written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of budgeting process and procedures.

Position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems, or a similar field. Completion of an accredited vocational or technical school program in computer science, management information systems, or a similar field and relevant work experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree. Three years of work experience in an information technology role involving configuring, supporting, and troubleshooting advanced equipment such as firewalls, servers, switches, computer network and software administration, and systems operation, one year of which must have included supervisory responsibilities. Experience with utility and governmental operations is preferred but not required. Requires a valid driver’s license.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus and color perception; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).