CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (IT DIRECTOR II)

at  State of Maryland

INTRODUCTION

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland’s Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health and consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management, and resource conservation. As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in technology business administration, computer science, computer information management, information security, or a related field.
Experience: Eight (8) years of experience working in an information technology environment managing IT initiatives, budgets, procurements, IT projects, cybersecurity compliance, and resource planning, including four (4) years of direct management of IT technical staff and resources.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

• Any of the following certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification; PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP); IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL); Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), Certified Chief Information Officer (CCIO), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
• Proven experience managing and leading multidisciplinary teams in complex IT projects.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and to adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience using State of Maryland FMIS.
• Experience with State of Maryland procurement.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides overall technology strategy and direction to the MD Department of Agriculture (MDA). The CIO leads the IT department, manages technological resources, protects privacy and the security of data, and aligns technology initiatives with MDA goals. The CIO ensures the effective and efficient operation of all technology systems, supports business processes, and drives digital transformation to enhance business performance.
This is a full time, permanent position with benefits.

POSITION DUTIES

• Develop and implement the MDA IT strategic plan and roadmap to align with organizational goals and objectives in coordination with the State Department of Information Technology.
• Develop and enforce IT policies, procedures and standards to ensure compliance with State policy, legal and regulatory requirements and to ensure cyber security and the performance of all IT systems and infrastructure. This will include annual risk assessments.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies to drive innovation across the agency, including but not limited to digital transformation initiatives, which enhance customer experience, operational efficiency and business agility.
• Oversee major IT projects, the management of IT assets, budget, procurement, contract negotiation, resources and equipment.
• Manage a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and attention to customer service.
• Establish and maintain performance metrics, which are driven by business outcomes and which measure and report the effectiveness of IT activities and investments made by the organization.
• Collaborate and coordinate with MDA Program managers, with other agencies and businesses, and the MDA executive team to identify and implement technology solutions that support MDA goals and objectives.