Chief Information Officer (IT)

Dysart Unified School District•Surprise, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Information Officer provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for the development, implementation, and management of information technology initiatives that support the District’s educational, operational, and business objectives. The CIO is responsible for the planning, implementation, security, and continuous improvement of the District’s technology infrastructure, enterprise systems, services, and operations to enhance efficiency, cost effectiveness, service quality, innovation, and organizational effectiveness. This position leads long-range technology and capital planning, budget development and management, strategic procurement, vendor negotiations, and technology investments while ensuring alignment with District priorities. The CIO oversees cybersecurity, data privacy, disaster recovery, business continuity, and incident response and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and District requirements. Through collaboration with District leadership, the CIO ensures that technology resources and services effectively support the District’s mission, strategic goals, and long-term success.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) certification required.
Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints ( IVP ) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC)
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible information technology experience, including management or supervisory experience.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in a K–12 educational environment
Demonstrated experience leading an enterprise IT organization or major technology function, including strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, cybersecurity, infrastructure, enterprise applications, and technology service delivery.
Extensive experience with enterprise technology infrastructure, hardware and software platforms, enterprise applications, data management, cloud services, collaboration systems, outsourced technology solutions, and secure data backup, retention, and recovery.
Experience leading systems design, integration, implementation, and lifecycle management from business requirements through ongoing operations and support.
Proven experience in IT strategic planning, organizational development, project management, procurement, vendor management, and technology investment planning.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and District policies governing information technology, cybersecurity, data privacy, student information, records retention, accessibility, and technology use within a public K–12 education environment.
Strong understanding of human resource management principles, practices, and procedures.
Proven leadership ability.
Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong negotiating skills.
Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.
Exceptionally self-motivated and directed.
Keen attention to detail.
Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
Exceptional service orientation.
Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

Participate as a member of the District’s leadership team in strategic, operational, financial, and technology governance and decision-making.
Provide strategic leadership for the planning, implementation, management, and continuous improvement of District-wide technology systems, infrastructure, services, and initiatives in support of educational, operational, and business objectives.
Develop, implement, and evaluate the District’s long-range technology plan, ensuring alignment with the District’s mission, strategic priorities, instructional goals, and future academic and administrative needs.
Establish and maintain an effective IT organizational structure, departmental goals, operating procedures, performance measures, and service standards.
Develop and manage IT operating and capital budgets; lead long-range capital planning; identify funding opportunities; and ensure the responsible and cost-effective use of technology resources.
Develop financial forecasts, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, and technology lifecycle and replacement plans to support major technology investments and initiatives.
Lead technology procurement, including vendor evaluation, contract review, negotiations, renewals, service-level agreements, and vendor performance management.
Oversee the evaluation, selection, acquisition, implementation, integration, maintenance, and lifecycle management of District technology systems, applications, infrastructure, hardware, software, and services.
Collaborate with District stakeholders to identify instructional, operational, administrative, and technology needs and ensure that technology solutions support District priorities.
Establish and oversee cybersecurity, information security, data privacy, and technology governance programs that protect District systems, networks, data, and users.
Develop and maintain data privacy and governance standards that ensure the appropriate collection, access, use, sharing, retention, and protection of District information in compliance with applicable federal, state, and District requirements.
Direct cybersecurity risk assessments, security monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness efforts.
Develop, test, and maintain District-wide disaster recovery, business continuity, and technology incident response plans to support the continuity and recovery of critical systems and services.
Ensure reliable technology services through the monitoring of system performance, service levels, operational metrics, and customer service standards.
Establish and communicate District-wide technology policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines for the acquisition, implementation, operation, security, and appropriate use of technology.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and District policies related to technology systems, services, procurement, and data management.
Approve, prioritize, and monitor major technology projects, including system selection, acquisition, development, implementation, integration, and replacement.
Provide oversight for software and application development, systems analysis, testing, documentation, integration, and ongoing support.
Evaluate IT operations, staffing, organizational structure, and service delivery and implement improvements to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality.
Recruit, supervise, develop, evaluate, and retain IT personnel in accordance with District policies and budgetary objectives while promoting accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and high-quality service.
Communicate the District’s technology vision, priorities, risks, investments, performance, and emerging needs to the Governing Board, Superintendent, senior leadership, employees, and other stakeholders.
Monitor emerging technologies, cybersecurity threats, industry trends, pricing, and regulatory changes; assess their potential impact; and advise District leadership accordingly.
Establish and maintain collaborative and professional relationships with District leadership, employees, vendors, government agencies, and partner organizations.
Maintain high standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, confidentiality, transparency, and responsible stewardship of District resources and information.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.