Assistant Director of Technology Systems and Engineering (Full Time) - Central Office

POSITION OVERVIEW: Assistant Director of Technology Systems & Engineering (Full Time) - Central Office
Are you a strategic thinker passionate about leveraging technology to enhance educational outcomes and operational efficiency? Do you thrive in a leadership role that balances high-level planning with hands-on project execution? If so, Portland Public Schools (PPS) invites you to apply for the Assistant Director of Technology Systems & Engineering role!

Reporting to the Director of IT, this position serves as a key thought partner in shaping the district's technology strategy and leads strategic IT system improvement projects. The Assistant Director of Technology Systems oversees members of the engineering team, ensuring that projects are appropriately scoped, planned, and executed on time. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, project management skills, and strategic vision to drive initiatives that support student learning and district operations. The Assistant Director of Technology Systems plays a critical role in IT project management, from establishing clear milestones and deliverables to monitoring progress and ensuring successful implementation. Additionally, this position collaborates across departments to align IT initiatives with district priorities, optimizing technology systems to better serve PPS's diverse students, families, and staff.

This year-round position includes a generous benefits package, including 20 annual vacation days and full health and dental benefits. The salary range is $95,000-$115,000.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The below statements describe the general nature and scope of work being performed in this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

+ Technology Project Management

• Develop and implement structured project plans to ensure IT initiatives align with district priorities
• Establish clear project milestones, deliverables, and timelines while monitoring progress to ensure successful completion
• Identify, prioritize, and manage multiple concurrent projects, balancing department capacity with district needs
• Oversee the planning and execution of district-wide technology initiatives, ensuring smooth integration into school and department workflows
• Provide project management support to IT engineering staff, ensuring they have the necessary training, resources, and guidance to execute their work effectively
• Foster a collaborative and efficient work environment by standardizing project workflows and optimizing team capacity

+ Strategic Planning & Departmental Support

• Serve as a thought partner to the Director of IT, providing insights and recommendations on key strategic planning and decision-making processes
• Support long-term budgeting and resource allocation, identifying cost-saving opportunities and ensuring efficient use of district technology funds
• Assist with day-to-day IT department operations, ensuring smooth workflows and alignment with district priorities
• Help lead department-wide initiatives, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement in IT services

+ Technical Leadership

• Stay current on emerging technologies and industry standards to ensure the district's IT systems remain secure, scalable, and aligned with evolving needs
• Provide high-level technical oversight, ensuring IT infrastructure improvements align with district security, operational, and compliance requirements
• Work closely with IT engineering staff to design, implement, and maintain technology infrastructure improvements
• Collaborate with IT leadership to establish policies, protocols, and frameworks that enhance system security, efficiency, and maintainability
• Support the maintenance of Active Directory services, including Group Policy management, identity and access controls, and directory synchronization

+ Vendor & Contract Management

• Manage vendor and service provider relationships, ensuring financial and programmatic value in all district technology contracts
• Oversee agreements related to network services, cybersecurity solutions, software licensing, and technology infrastructure
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contract terms, and service-level agreements

+ Technology Infrastructure & Operations

• Work with IT engineering staff to maintain and optimize major district technology systems
• Support the integration of technology solutions into school and department workflows to enhance operational efficiency
• Collaborate with IT leadership to establish and enforce best practices for IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and cloud computing

+ Technology Planning, Procurement, & Asset Management

• Plan for the procurement, deployment, and maintenance of district hardware, software, and IT services
• Develop and implement long-term plans for hardware acquisition and lifecycle management
• Maintain an inventory of IT department equipment and establish replacement schedules
• Oversee the receipt, tagging, and distribution of new hardware and software across the district

+ Policy Development & Documentation

• Develop IT policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and administrative guidelines, including acceptable use policies and cybersecurity procedures
• Ensure technology policies align with best practices, legal requirements, and district goals
• Maintain and update acceptable use policies to align with evolving security and instructional technology needs
• Maintain thorough documentation of IT projects, infrastructure, and processes to support continuity and knowledge sharing

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• At least 5 years of professional IT experience
• Proven experience managing IT projects and system improvements in public sector, municipal, or educational settings
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (equivalent experience considered)
• Strong IT project management skills, with experience in scoping, planning, managing milestones, and monitoring progress to ensure timely project completion
• Expertise in IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, compliance, virtualization, and IT governance
• Knowledge of Active Directory, identity and access management, and related technologies
• Experience overseeing engineering teams, providing technical guidance, and ensuring effective collaboration on IT system improvements
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, including collaborating with technology integration teams to align IT projects with school-based technology needs
• Experience in budgeting, resource allocation, procurement processes, and cost-benefit analysis for IT investments
• Strong leadership and team development skills, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences
• Experience implementing new technologies, transitioning from legacy systems, and driving organizational change to enhance operational efficiency
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, particularly within K-12 education or public sector IT operations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Reaching/handling/manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other computer components.
• Occasionally lift boxes, equipment, etc. weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to travel to schools within the district.
• Frequent near and far visual acuity with or without visual accommodation to read printed materials and computer screen or other monitoring devices.
• Hearing/speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional extended work hours and attendance at evening meetings

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Year-round position
• Full Time, 1.0 FTE
• Permanent
• Not eligible for overtime
• Generous benefits package, including 20 annual vacation days and full health and dental benefits
• Salary range is $95,000-115,000

Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.