Director of Information Technology

Definition of Class

• The Courts IT Director is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of all IT systems within the Court and related offices. This role includes managing a staff of 5 IT professionals and ensuring that the IT infrastructure—including LAN, WAN, server environments, and network security—is functioning efficiently and securely. The IT Manager will manage hardware, software, network infrastructure, and virtual environments, while also serving as a liaison between the Court system and third-party vendors.

Nature of Work

• Lead, supervise, and provide direction to a team of 5 IT staff members responsible for day-to-day technical operations across all Court-related offices.
• Develop and maintain all facets of the Court's network, including LANs, WANs, VPNs, and cloud services.
• Oversee server administration, VMs, and related infrastructure, ensuring efficient operations.
• Manage network security protocols, firewalls, and site-to-site VPN connections across County locations.
• Coordinate with Court offices to assess and provide solutions for IT needs, including video conferencing and remote access technologies.
• Implement backup and disaster recovery solutions, ensuring continuity of operations.
• Maintain and upgrade network hardware, software, and security measures, ensuring compliance with Court policies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for IT vendor management, procurement, and contract negotiations for hardware, software, and services.
• Apply updates to server, network hardware, and implement upgrades for optimal performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve escalated issues from the IT help desk and provide technical support for the Courts.
• Prepare and develop annual Court IT budget.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Spearhead IT projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with the Court's strategic goals.
• Develop and implement network solutions tailored for Court-specific operations and security.
• Manage Court email system, and Active Directory.
• Collaborate with County IT and vendors for installation, maintenance, and configuration of firewalls and other network security solutions.
• Conduct routine system checks, updates, and upgrades to Court networks, servers, and virtual environments.
• Prepare documentation for end-user procedures and system administration protocols.
• Assist in Court-specific initiatives such as the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to ensure readiness in case of emergencies.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with new technologies and best practices in the field.
• Work closely with District Court Administrator.
• Conduct performance reviews and evaluations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong expertise in network design, implementation, and maintenance, including LANs, WANs, VLANs, and VPNs.
• Proficient in VMware virtual environments (vSphere, vCenter, VEEAM).
• In-depth knowledge of network topologies, DNS, Active Directory, and Group Policy.
• Familiarity with Court IT systems, including security requirements and operational needs.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience in overseeing IT personnel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in resolving network and system issues.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with Court personnel, IT staff, and third-party vendors.
• Proficient with desktop productivity tools and enterprise applications like email and scheduling systems.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in network hardware/software support, including server administration.
• Experience with networking devices, routing protocols, and troubleshooting complex network issues.
• Experience in managing enterprise email systems and ensuring email security protocols are followed.
• Strong experience with Active Directory, Group Policy, and domain trust relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in Court-related IT environments preferred.
• Project management experience with large-scale IT projects.
• Proficient with advancing and emerging technologies.

Supervision Received

• Reports directly to the District Court Administrator and President Judge.

Conditions Of Employment

• Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of background checks and compliance with the Courts security policies.