Location: Greenfield,MA, USA
The Director of Technology is responsible for providing education technology leadership and oversees the District's technology staff, in one cohesive department. This administrative position provides leadership, planning, and coordination for the development and maintenance of the District's information technologies, including but not limited to, systems, network, digital learning, audio-visual, mobile devices and communication. DUTIES: - Ensure accountability for the overall implementation of plans and strategies, and evaluate IT services and progress on strategic plans and goals. - Create and maintain a support and maintenance plan for all technology devices, software, network components, peripherals, etc. - Develop and plan for providing adequate and affordable hardware and software replacements/upgrades. - Participate in the design and implement business continuity planning and disaster/failure recovery procedures. - Define, prioritize, schedule, and monitor multiple IT projects, developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans/schedules. - Monitor emerging trends and evaluate and implement, if appropriate, new education technology initiatives (e.g., Chromebooks, Google apps for education, etc.). Set annual goals, operational objectives, priorities, strategic approach, and budget requirements in accordance with the GPS Technology plan. - Oversee the design, development, and implementation of new technology solutions. - Ensure appropriate technology services are available to all teachers, students, and administrators through local and cloud-based computing resources and applications. - Ensure the stability, reliability, and integrity of in-house and vendor-provided wired and wireless networks for voice, data, video, and network services. - Develop and administer a comprehensive security program to protect the information and integrity, and ensure compliance with federal privacy requirements - the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), and Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). - Provide vision, strategic direction, and operational leadership for the Technology Department in support of the District's vision, mission, and goals. - Participate with the appropriate Central office personnel in interfacing with vendors and contractors furnishing goods and services as applicable. - Define technology contract specifications, terms, and conditions, including performance and reliability standards, and administer contracts to ensure compliance. - Establish support contracts, licenses, maintenance agreements, and upgrades for the District's technology. - Oversee the cost-effective acquisition of devices and software, and management of vendors to ensure that technology operations are within established budget constraints. - Establish a regular replacement cycle for all technology. - Oversee the District's participation in the E-Rate Program and provide guidance as needed. - Develop, monitor, and update information technology policies, procedures, and standards to support teaching, learning, and management. - Ensure compliance with all software and hardware licenses. - Ensure DESE data submissions are timely and accurate. - Serve as the Information Technology Security Officer. - Mentor and supervise IT employees. - Conduct annual performance reviews of direct reports. - Foster a collaborative work environment among staff. - Cultivate cohesiveness, sharing of information, communication, high service levels, teamwork, and cross-training. - Create metrics to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the team; identify opportunities to elevate its performance (from internal customers' perspective) and develop strategies, tactics, and tools to accomplish this. - Ensure that IT employees are handling the following critical tasks: Security of technology systems, including monitoring of security advisories and logs, upgrading anti-virus, anti-spamming, anti-Trojan/worm, and anti-spyware software, and applying patches. Automated monitoring of network and server performance and reliability. Analysis and resolution of network and server hardware and software problems in a timely manner. - Assist IT employees in providing Help Desk and troubleshooting support for students and staff. - Work with IT employees to use GPS Help Desk to review each staff members' request; identify training needs among staff, and run reports to look for trends (e.g., hardware aging out, the same type of end-user questions, problems, or requests, etc.). - Recruit and retain highly qualified staff members. - Direct technology consultants and contractors. - Maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of technological developments and advancements relative to educational systems. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: - Ability to lift 25 lbs. - Minimal physical effort is generally required to perform duties under typical conditions. - This position requires physical activity such as lifting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, twisting, and hand/wrist movement. - Vision requirements include the ability to read routine and complex documents and to use a computer. COMPENSATION: $90,000 - $95,000 (salary determined by qualifications)