Deputy Director of Operations - Information Technology

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology

SALARY: $124,939 - $152,388

LOCATION: Trenton, NJ

SCHEDULE: M-F 8:30AM – 4:30 PM. This position may require occasional work outside of normal business hours, including evenings or weekends, to meet operational needs.

JOB SPECIFICATION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

REPORTS TO: Chief Technology Officer

VACANCIES: 1

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Civil Service title for this position is Assistant Director of Information Technology, with the functional title of Deputy Director of Operations. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the Deputy Director of Operations leads the day-to-day operations of Mercer County Information Technology. This position is responsible for IT operations and project management across County locations, including public safety, courts, and corrections. The role leads managers responsible for systems and Service Desk support and oversees the IT project portfolio from intake and prioritization through delivery.

RESPONSIBILTIIES:

• Provides leadership and oversight of daily IT operations, ensuring reliable and responsive technology services across County departments and facilities.
• Leads, mentors, and develops IT managers and staff by establishing goals, monitoring performance, strengthening accountability, and supporting professional growth.
• Oversees incident, problem, and change management processes and leads the coordinated response to major outages and service disruptions through restoration.
• Establishes service-level expectations with County departments and monitors operational performance, including ticket trends, system availability, service delivery, and project status.
• Develops staffing plans, schedules, and coverage strategies to maintain effective operations, including after-hours support for critical County functions.
• Oversees the County's IT project portfolio from intake through delivery, working with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to evaluate requests, establish priorities, allocate resources, and monitor scope, schedules, budgets, risks, and outcomes.
• Assigns project leadership, establishes milestones and deliverables, and ensures accountability for timely and successful project completion.
• Balances project priorities with ongoing operational demands, available resources, and staff capacity.
• Manages vendor relationships, technology service contracts, and renewals, including monitoring vendor performance, deliverables, service levels, and invoices.
• Assists in the development, administration, and monitoring of the IT operating budget, including procurement activities, grant reporting, expenditures, and cost forecasting.
• Ensures IT operations align with established cybersecurity policies, procedures, standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with the CTO and Deputy CTO to advance information security priorities and strengthen the County's overall technology and cybersecurity posture.
• Oversees the operational readiness and scheduled testing of backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans.
• Supports technology audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory requirements, including Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements.
• Maintains current operational procedures, documentation, runbooks, escalation protocols, and continuity processes.
• Serves as a primary operational liaison to department leadership, addressing technology service concerns, operational needs, and emerging priorities.
• Represents or acts on behalf of the Chief Technology Officer when assigned or delegated.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must meet one of the following combinations of education and experience . Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are considered equivalent to one (1) year of relevant experience.

Ten (10) years of professional experience involving the administration of information processing, telecommunications management, computer operations, and system development in a multiplatform/multi-user environment, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity .

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity .

OR

Possession of a master's degree in a related field and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity .

DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

“Professional experience” refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to exercise independent judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of IT operations and service delivery, including incident, problem, change, and service management practices.
• Knowledge of service-level agreements, key performance indicators, operational metrics, and performance reporting.
• Strong understanding of enterprise technology environments, including networks, servers, storage, systems, and end-user support services.
• Knowledge of information security principles, cybersecurity best practices, and recognized frameworks, including CIS Controls.
• Knowledge of disaster recovery, business continuity, backup strategies, and operational resilience.
• Knowledge of project and portfolio management principles, including prioritization, resource allocation, risk management, budgeting, and project delivery.
• Knowledge of public-sector budgeting, procurement, contract administration, vendor management, and fiscal accountability.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including performance management, coaching, staff development, accountability, and progressive discipline.
• Ability to lead and develop managers and technical teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and a service-oriented culture.
• Ability to analyze complex operational and technical issues, evaluate alternatives, and make sound, timely decisions.
• Ability to manage competing operational priorities, projects, resources, and departmental needs in a complex technology environment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively to executive leadership, department heads, employees, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships across County departments and with external partners.
• Knowledge of applicable County personnel policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of government technology compliance and security requirements, including Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends, technologies, risks, and best practices in government information technology and cybersecurity.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive operational, personnel, and security-related information.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH MERCER COUNTY:

Mercer County offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee wellness, financial stability, and career growth:

• Health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Enrollment in the State pension system
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave

Continuing education and career development opportunities

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As a Civil Service employer under the State of New Jersey, all candidates must comply with New Jersey Civil Service Commission regulations and guidelines. Mercer County residency is required. Non-residents must establish residency within one (1) year of employment.

Mercer County is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, specifically in accordance with the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace .