Information Technology Director

Position Summary And Job Duties

The Information Technology (IT) Director is responsible for overseeing technology operations of the entire County, including public safety communications, network operations, telecommunications, programming, user support, and the help desk. The IT Director ensures cost‑effective systems, software, and hardware are implemented that meet the needs of County departments; provides for the security of the County's network; and is strategic in anticipating and planning for future IT needs.

• Oversee the analysis, design, and recommendation of cost‑effective information systems.
• Procure systems, software, hardware, supplies, etc.
• Manage contracts with third‑party vendors and consultants to augment staff when internal resources or expertise are insufficient.
• Manage centrally budgets and costs related to various Countywide and departmental technology initiatives and projects.
• Develop an annual plan for the completion of IT projects and tasks, including the distribution and installation of hardware and software.
• Develop, track, and report regularly on metrics that demonstrate IT operations are running efficiently and effectively.

40% Plan and execute a strategy for implementation of IT systems, software, and hardware across County operations

• Oversee the analysis, design, and recommendation of cost‑effective information systems.
• Procure systems, software, hardware, supplies, etc.
• Manage contracts with third‑party vendors and consultants to augment staff when internal resources or expertise are insufficient.
• Manage centrally budgets and costs related to various Countywide and departmental technology initiatives and projects.
• Develop an annual plan for the completion of IT projects and tasks, including the distribution and installation of hardware and software.
• Develop, track, and report regularly on metrics that demonstrate IT operations are running efficiently and effectively.

20% Ensure the security and integrity of County data and information technology assets

• Develop a robust cybersecurity plan, including regular testing of defenses and communication with County staff regarding best practices.
• Promote data integrity through appropriate separation of duties and other means.
• Implement solutions to ensure the confidentiality of data, such as HIPAA‑related data, personally identifiable information, and client records.
• Create internal controls over financial systems to protect against possible fraud.
• Develop backup systems and emergency procedures to facilitate access to data and software in emergency situations.

20% Establish and maintain good working relationships with Department Heads and other County staff

• Work closely with Department Heads and other County staff as customers to determine and provide for operational technology needs.
• Ensure the department is responsive to the ongoing needs of its customers/departments.
• Seek and incorporate feedback from customers into ongoing operational analysis and improvement initiatives.

15% Supervise and direct the administrative operations of the department

• Develop and monitor the department budget.
• Supervise staff and ensure they receive sufficient training and professional development to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Hire and hold staff accountable, including through regular performance feedback and evaluations.
• Ensure communication, coordination, and engagement among and with the various IT functions and staff.
• Regularly review the department's organizational structure to keep pace with changing technology.
• Ensure staff are cross‑trained and engage in succession planning to ensure both short‑ and long‑term backup support for IT systems is available.

5% Other duties as assigned

Success Factors (KSA’s)

• Strong communication skills (both written and oral) and successful experience with team motivation.
• Strong analytical and creative problem‑solving capabilities.
• ITIL and HIPAA experience or knowledge a plus.
• Strong process development skills.
• Ability to conceptualize, launch and deliver multiple IT projects on time and within budget.
• Skilled at identifying and evaluating new technological developments and gauging their appropriateness and relevance.
• Strong organizational skills and management of central IT resources and applications as well as coordinating departmental and client resources and initiatives.
• Experience in capacity planning and data center infrastructure development as well as computing technology and operations.
• Thorough understanding and enforcement of all local, state and federal laws that affect the IT department and infrastructure.
• Ability to analyze user business and technology needs, formulate conceptual frameworks and apply state‑of‑the‑art technology in developing integrated, efficient and cost‑effective solutions.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to use a strategic view to ensure that IT is positioned to respond to evolving needs.

Interactions and Communications

Interactions with others are frequently focused on complex issues of major importance to the County organization. Substantial interaction with staff at all levels as well as responsibility to develop strong business relationships with business unit management, county board and key vendors.

Decision Making

This position has final authority in making decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents. These decisions directly impact performance at the countywide level and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision‑making process. These judgements require a close collaboration with fellow department heads, administration and elected officials.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges and problems occurring in this position are complicated and require interpretation and application of policies and objectives impacting large departments or multiple departments of the County organization.

Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in information technology, business, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• 7–10 years experience working in information technology or a related field.
• 5 years supervisory experience.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the above knowledge, abilities and skills.

Essential Job Functions (physical Elements, Equipment And Working Conditions)

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift, climb, or bend occasionally.

Rock County Employee

Facts And Benefits Highlights

• Rock County historic and cultural attractions: Rock County is in south Central Wisconsin along the Illinois border. The County has a population of 161,188 making it the ninth largest County in Wisconsin. Janesville, Wisconsin (pop. 64,009) is the county seat. Janesville is located on the I‑39/90 corridor, forty miles south of Madison, seventy‑six miles west of Milwaukee and about two hours from Chicago.
• Rock County’s many historic and cultural attractions include the City of Evansville historic district, Beloit College (an acclaimed liberal arts institution located in the City of Beloit) and the City of Janesville’s Rotary Botanical Gardens and Tallman House (an exceptional example of Italian villa style architecture from the mid‑1850’s). The Cities of Janesville and Beloit have a combined symphony orchestra, as well as individual performing arts centers. The Rock County Fair and Riverfest are regional cultural celebrations held every summer in the Cities of Janesville and Beloit respectively. These Cities both have extensive park and open space networks, including portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a Statewide trail commemorating the State’s geologic history. Additionally, the Rock River runs through these Cities, offering many recreational opportunities.
• Salary: Rock County has updated their pay grid in 2023 and it has 14 steps for every classification. Below is the link to locate the compensation grid and see each of the classifications that Rock County has to offer.

  Employees are paid every two weeks on Friday (26 checks in a year). Paychecks are directly deposited in the employee’s bank account. There is a two‑week delay between the pay period worked and the payday. New employees generally wait four weeks before they receive their first check, which is a live paper check. Direct deposit is a requirement of employment.

• Holidays (Ordinance 18.501):
  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Spring Holiday to be observed the Friday immediately preceding Easter
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Friday following Thanksgiving
  • Day before Christmas
  • Christmas Day
  • One Floating Holiday
  • Any additional holiday granted by the County Board.
  • The County Administrator may designate additional holidays in unusual circumstances with the approval of the County Board Chair and/or Vice Chair.
• Vacation (Policy & Procedure Manual 5.47): Employees (.4 FTE or greater) hired on or after April 10, 2023, shall earn vacation according to the following schedule:
  • Health Insurance including our Wellness component:
    • Rock County offers a dual choice point of service plan. Employees will have a choice to elect coverage with either Dean Health Care or Mercy Health Care. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made. The County will pay 90% of the premium for health insurance and the Employee may earn the remaining 10% of the premium, based on the terms of participation of the Healthy Employee Incentive Program.
  • Sick Leave (Policy 5.39):
    • Sick leave pay shall commence on the first day of any period of illness due to accident, injury, or disease.
    • All full‑time employees shall earn one sick leave day per month of continuous employment. All part‑time employees whose regular workweek is sixteen hours or more shall earn one sick leave day on a prorated basis directly in relation to the normal full‑time employment period. All part‑time employees, who work less than sixteen hours per week, shall not earn sick leave. Temporary and seasonal employees are not eligible for sick leave. Sick leave shall accrue to a maximum of one hundred thirty days.
  • Dental Plan:
    • The County offers a dental plan through Delta Dental and will pay 60% of the applicable premium for the lowest cost plan. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall.
  • Vision Plan:
    • The County offers a vision plan which employees can enroll in at their own cost. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall.
  • Life Insurance:
    • The County provides term life insurance through the State of Wisconsin Plan. Employees can purchase coverage in increments based on their salary, up to five times their salary. The County will contribute 20% of the cost for the first increment only.
  • Voluntary Benefits:
    • The County offers voluntary benefits which employees can enroll in at their own cost. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. Voluntary benefits may include: Disability, Hospital indemnity, Supplemental Life, Critical Illness, and Accident Insurance.
  • Deferred Compensation:
    • Employees can participate in one of the identified deferred compensation plans (Nationwide, Wisconsin Deferred Comp, and Security Benefits) at their own cost.
  • Flexible Spending Account (Medical and Dependent Care):
    • Employees can elect to put an annually IRS established amount into a flexible spending account to pay for their own non‑reimbursed medical care expenses. Employees can also put in up to $5,000 for dependent care accounts.
  • Retirement:
    • Rock County participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Eligible employees are required to participate.
    • What an employee receives at retirement is dependent upon several factors – age, length of service, salary.
    • Rock County and the employee make equal contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System on behalf of the employer.
  • Bereavement Leave (Policy 5.04):
    • In the event of a death an employee may be excused from work without loss of pay for up to a maximum of thirty‑two (32) hours annually.
  • EAP:
    • The County provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees to use for all kinds of personal and professional assistance. As of March 1, 2022, the EAP program will pay for up to six visits.
  • Parking:
    • The County provides free parking at all its facilities.
  • Workplace Attire (Policy & Procedures 5.53):
    • All Rock County employees are expected to present a professional, businesslike image to clients, visitors, customers, and the public.
  • Employee Identification Badge (Policy & Procedure 5.08):
    • All Rock County employees shall have and display an identification badge while conducting official County business.
  • Smoking:
    • All County buildings are smoke free.

Prior to new hire orientation, please access policy documents here:

Active Employees: For full policy documents, please visit the Human Resources Intranet page, “Personnel Ordinance” and “Policy & Procedure Manual”

Still have questions? Call us! Human Resources: 608‑757‑5520

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