Chief Information Officer (Finance)
To learn more about this amazing opportunity, please, view the Chief Information Officer Brochure .
Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of technology in one of California's largest and most innovative counties? At County of Riverside, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our residents through innovative, technology-driven solutions. We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead our IT department through a rapidly evolving landscape.
The Riverside County Information Technology ( RCIT ) department serves as the strategic technology partner for Riverside County, delivering essential IT services that drive innovation, security, and efficiency across County operations. From critical network infrastructure and cyber security to enterprise applications and field support, RCIT provides the backbone that enables departments to serve the community effectively. This vital role oversees the IT services provided to 26 departments and supports the mission critical IT services countywide. The CIO will be responsible for the strategic direction, management, and optimization of the County's technology systems while fostering collaboration and innovation across departments.
This position reports to the County Executive Office through the Assistant County Executive Officer for the Internal Services Portfolio. The CIO will have overall responsibility for the oversight of more than 360 employees and a budget of over $120 million. RCIT's scope of operations is both broad and complex. The Department manages a network of almost 1,500 routers and switches and supports 220 applications, over 1,600 databases, and almost 2,000 GIS web maps. To carry out this work, RCIT is organized into specialized units: Business Administrative Services, Business Relationships Division, Converged Communications Bureau, Enterprise Applications Bureau, Technology Services Bureau, Information Security Office, and RivCo TV.
The CIO is a politically savvy leader committed to fostering strong relationships with managed and non-managed departments, adapting to evolving operational demands across departments. This role requires the ability to effectively seek and apply industry best practices to achieve the desired outcomes, straddling the line between innovation and security. A key challenge will be managing and reducing Internal Service Fund (ISF) costs related to countywide services, all while maintaining exceptional service delivery and staying current with technological advancements. In addition, it will be important to keep abreast of changing technology and proactively appraise County leadership of beneficial and prudent technological advancements. As our new CIO, you will play a critical role in leading several major IT initiatives currently underway and those on the horizon such as the Windows 11 upgrade, data center relocation, MPLS network upgrade, .GOV migration, Integrated Services Delivery (ISD), and hybrid cloud expansion.
The CIO will lead by example, demonstrating how to balance the delivery of timely, high-quality projects with creating a fun and engaging work environment. They will understand and respect the organization's culture, inspiring and motivating teams to collaborate and perform at their best. The successful candidate for the CIO position will enjoy building relationships, elevating services, and communicating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a fast-paced, forward-thinking government IT department. In addition, the successful candidate will be a strategic and innovative thinker with a keen understanding and ability to balance countywide infrastructure and technology needs with the individual priorities and concerns of County departments. Ideally, the successful candidate will have a career history serving government entities of similar size and complexity and an understanding of the fiscal responsibility to utilize taxpayer dollars as effectively as possible. If you have a passion for providing stellar customer service and identifying applications for emerging technology, while maintaining the security, efficiency, and resiliency of systems, we encourage you to join this dedicated team and make a meaningful impact. Your leadership can drive the continued innovation and operational efficiency in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Lead the Riverside County Information Technology department (RCIT) with an eye toward innovation, cost savings, and seamless integration of technology across departments.
- Manage a significant IT budget of over $120 million, with influence over $200 million, while balancing increasing service demands and evolving financial priorities.
- Strategically plan, coordinate, and direct the operations of the County's enterprise information systems resources, central data processing, imaging, video and data networks, and electronic communications programs.
- Forecast and stay abreast of emerging technologies for use in County government.
- Formulate countywide policy concerning the application, utility, and feasibility of information systems, including tracking state and federal legislation, which may influence County information systems policies and procedures.
- Provide information systems and IT support to client County departments.
- Conduct special studies, and on behalf of the department, make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on information systems policies and procedures.
- Drive cross-departmental collaboration and act as a bridge between technology teams and non-managed departments.
- Recognize potential and emerging issues, generate and evaluate solutions, and devise effective courses of action.
- Provide leadership and guidance for security strategies, including protection against ransomware and other cyber threats.
- Lead the charge in improving IT infrastructure, from data networks to server platforms, while fostering a culture of continuous learning.
- Act as a strong advocate for IT initiatives, working closely with executive leadership and policymakers to market and promote technology solutions.
- Oversee the continued adoption of cloud technologies, ensuring data security, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with other public agencies and government organizations to stay ahead of regulatory trends and technological developments.
Experience: Five years of responsible experience in an administrative or staff capacity requiring accountability for planning, organizing and implementing information systems. Three years of the required experience must have included managing the design, installation, operation and maintenance of information systems consisting of two or more of the following: land mobile radio systems, microwave systems, data networks, imaging systems or data information processing systems including server platforms and microcomputers. Two years of this experience must have included supervising subordinate professional or technical/skilled staff.
Knowledge of: Organization, fiscal management and personnel management; budget preparation and control; principles, methods, materials, and equipment used in electronic communications and data processing systems; State and federal rules and regulations affecting communications and data equipment in a public sector environment; application of statistical methods to management analysis; principles and practices of public finance and governmental accounting; principles of effective supervision.
Ability to: Plan, organize and direct a comprehensive plan of information services including coordination of communications and data processing facilities within County government and with other agency systems; generate and evaluate alternatives, analyze data, reach logical conclusions, formulate recommendations, and institute effective changes; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, subordinates, general public, and staff members of other agencies; speak and write effectively; prepare and present clear and comprehensive reports; design and implement new procedures and evaluation techniques for technical and administrative problems and determine appropriate actions; effectively manage a large staff through subordinate supervisors; read and interpret specifications, rules, and regulations; deal tactfully and effectively with others.
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License by the start date. The CIO will travel to various locations for meetings and other events.This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (1) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors.
This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311(A) of the County Management Resolution.
The County of Riverside welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.
The initial review of applications will likely occur on April 28, 2025. However, the posting may close at any time. To be considered, please, electronically submit your application, including resume. Resumes should reflect related work experience as well as details of years and months of positions held.
Applications will be screened based on criteria outlined in this posting. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to participate in a formal interview process. Extensive reference and background checks will be completed on the selected candidate.
For questions regarding this recruitment, please, contact: Karla Medrano at (951) 955-9092 or KMedrano@rivco.org .
