Salary: $202,550.40 - $285,168.00 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Non-Classified
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: M0480-26
Department: Power
Division: Power - Utility Technology Services
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position DescriptionTacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking a strategic and innovative technology leader to serve as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and drive the organization's technology strategy, modernization, and digital transformation. This role plays a critical part in aligning technology investments with business priorities while advancing the delivery and reliability of TPU's Power, Water, and Rail utility divisions.
Reporting to the Utility Technology Services (UTS) Tacoma Power Deputy General Manager/Chief Information Officer (CIO), the CTO provides executive leadership and oversight for enterprise architecture, data and artificial intelligence, geospatial platforms, utility business enablement, and technology program and project management. This position partners with leadership and stakeholders across TPU to advance technology initiatives, strengthen business capabilities, and transform the digital customer experience.
The CTO leads the development and execution of short and long term technology strategies, leveraging industry best practices to modernize systems, optimize technology investments, and support evolving utility needs. This role guides the integration of traditional Operational Technology (OT), including SCADA systems and grid infrastructure, with modern Information Technology (IT), cloud data engineering, and artificial intelligence to enable innovation, operational efficiency, and reliable utility services.
This position requires strategic vision, executive leadership, strong business acumen, and the ability to drive complex technology initiatives through collaboration, organizational alignment, and effective execution.
Key Responsibilities:- Technology Strategy and Governance: Lead the development and execution of short and long-term technology strategies aligned with TPU Division strategic plans and Smart Utility Plans. Oversee technology portfolio governance, project planning, implementation, and prioritization to advance organizational goals.
- Digital Transformation and Innovation: Champion the evaluation, pilot testing, and deployment of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, predictive asset maintenance, load forecasting, geospatial platforms, microgrids, and other digital solutions that improve utility operations, efficiency, and customer experience.
- Financial Planning and Resource Management: Direct capital and operating budget planning, monitor expenditures, and establish cost-of-service and cost-recovery models. Develop and justify technology business cases that evaluate long-term costs, return on investment, and alignment with TPU's strategic priorities.
- Executive Leadership and Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with the CIO, TPU divisions, City departments, and utility leadership to align technology investments with business needs. Communicate complex technology strategies, risks, and financial impacts to executive leadership, the Public Utility Board, City Council, and other stakeholders.
- Enterprise Technology and Program Oversight: Provide executive oversight of enterprise architecture, data analytics and artificial intelligence, geospatial platforms, utility business enablement, and technology program and project management functions to ensure effective delivery of strategic initiatives.
- Cybersecurity and Technology Integration: Partner with cybersecurity leadership to advance secure, modern technology architectures across utility infrastructure, including generation facilities, substations, transmission assets, and field-deployed devices. Promote integration between operational technology (OT), information technology (IT), and emerging digital platforms.
- Vendor and Technology Partner Management: Establish and maintain strategic relationships with technology vendors, cloud providers, hardware manufacturers, and integration consultants. Oversee service-level agreements, contractual deliverables, and partner performance to ensure technology solutions meet TPU's operational and business needs.
- Organizational Leadership and Performance Management: Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable work environment that values diversity and supports equal opportunity. Establish performance expectations, provide coaching and development, and hold teams accountable for measurable results while supporting technology adoption, workforce readiness, and operational safety.
Qualifications Minimum Education*Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or directly related field
Minimum Experience*10 years of progressively responsible experience that includes prior supervisory, managerial and/or subject-matter expert experience in information technology. Some assignments may require a background check.
Licensing, Certifications and Other RequirementsAs Assigned:North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection certification (NECC-CIP)
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Selection Process & Supplemental InformationThis recruitment is being managed by Kye Merritt, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on !
Compensation & BenefitsPay Details:
Annual Salary: $202,550.40 - $285,168.00
01
Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or directly related field?
02
Do you have 10 years of progressively responsible experience that includes prior supervisory, managerial and/or subject-matter expert experience in information technology?
03
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. There is no sponsorship available for this position. Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B status)?
04
Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application.I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.
05
One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
06
Please describe your experience implementing grid modernization technologies such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or Distribution Management Systems to optimize system reliability.
07
Please describe your experience providing expert testimony or preparing formal documentation for Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) or governing boards. Please highlight your role in securing regulatory approval for multi-million dollar capital technology budgets and long-term technical roadmaps.
08
Please give an example of a strategic technology initiative you led that required significant change management across both unionized field labor and corporate/utility engineering teams.
09
Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.
- Job Interest Card notification
- Professional organization
- Military organization
- City of Tacoma employee
- Online job board posting
- Word of mouth
- LinkedIn
- Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)
- Indeed
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Careers in Government
- Government Jobs
- Outreach Event
