Job Title: IT Director
Department: Information Technology Department
Reports To: Deputy County Manager
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Compensation Range: $95,000 - $115,000
Benefits: Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO
Closing Date: October 2, 2026

Position Summary
The IT Director is a key member of the County's leadership team, responsible for developing and executing a strategic vision for information technology across all Offices and Departments. This position provides high-level planning, oversight, and management of the County's technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and digital modernization initiatives. The IT Director ensures systems and services align with Lake County's strategic goals and regulatory requirements, while leading efforts to replace outdated systems, manage complex technology projects, and improve IT operations through innovation, resilience, and user-centered design.

General Duties and Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and lead the County's long-term IT strategic plan in alignment with organizational priorities and Office and Department needs.
• Partner with County leadership to identify opportunities where technology can enhance service delivery, transparency, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics and KPIs for IT services, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

Project Management

• Oversee the County's IT projects, ensuring initiatives are aligned with strategy, completed on time, and within budget.
• Manage complex, cross-departmental technology projects including software modernization, infrastructure upgrades, and digital accessibility improvements.
• Lead procurement and implementation of enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, permitting, records management) to replace legacy technology.

Systems Oversight + Modernization

• Assess current infrastructure and applications to identify risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for modernization.
• Direct and approve system architecture decisions, hardware/software upgrades, cloud transitions, and digital security protocols.
• Maintain a County-wide technology replacement schedule and ensure systems are appropriately updated and documented.

Cybersecurity, Risk Management + Compliance

• Ensure robust information security practices are in place to protect County systems, data, and assets.
• Develop and enforce IT policies and procedures related to cybersecurity, data governance, and acceptable use. Ensure policies align with state and federal requirements and relevant frameworks.
• Conduct regular risk assessments of county systems, applications, facilities and vendors to identify threats and vulnerabilities. Recommend risk mitigation measures tailored to a small county environment, prioritizing high-impact, low-cost controls.
• Manage incident response plans and business continuity strategies.
• Monitor and support compliance with applicable laws and regulations, not limited to state and federal data privacy and breach notification laws, CJIS, HIPAA and other relevant mandates.
• Coordinate responses to risk and compliance audits, assessments and security questionnaires from relevant oversight bodies.

Organizational Development + Collaboration

• Supervise and support the professional development of IT staff. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer service.
• Collaborate with Offices and Departments to evaluate technology needs, recommend solutions, and promote user adoption.
• Serve as the liaison to external technology providers, consultants, and agencies.

Budget + Resource Management

• Prepare and manage the IT Department's annual budget and multiyear capital planning.
• Ensure effective asset management, licensing compliance, and cost efficiency across all technology resources.
• Identify and pursue grant funding and other external resources to support IT initiatives.

Digital Accessibility + Compliance

• Ensure that County digital services comply with WCAG 2.1 AA, Section 508, and ADA requirements.
• Lead accessibility audits, support department compliance, and promote digital equity through inclusive design.
• Embed accessibility requirements in procurement, contracts, and vendor relationships.

Technical Knowledge

• Expert understanding of modern IT systems, cloud services, enterprise software, cybersecurity frameworks, and infrastructure planning.
• Knowledge of public sector operations and regulations, including records retention, digital accessibility, and open data practices.
• Familiarity with technologies used in government (e.g., Microsoft 365, GIS, ERP, public safety systems).
• Expertise negotiating, analyzing and managing IT contracts and working with managed service providers (MSP).

Strategic + Analytical Skills

• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, forecast impacts, and translate technical issues into business solutions.

Communication + Leadership

• Effective communicator with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including elected officials.
• Collaborative leader with experience managing cross-functional teams, facilitating change, and driving performance.
• Skilled at building consensus, managing vendor relationships, and advocating for technology at the executive level.

Other Duties
Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position provides direct supervision to currently three IT staff members.

Requirements

Compensation will be determined by the applicant's full skillset with consideration of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive IT leadership experience, including strategic planning and enterprise system management.
• Experience in public sector, special district, or municipal government preferred.
• Strong project management skills with a proven record of successful technology implementations.

Physical Activity & Work Environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing or walking.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, or climbing.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, or moving objects.
• Use of hands for repetitive motions such as typing, writing, or operating equipment.
• Operation of standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers, etc.).
• Visual acuity to read and produce accurate documents and materials.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, or work at heights.
• Ability to operate motor vehicles and/or machinery.
• Standard office environment with controlled temperature and lighting.
• Work performed in a loud, noisy, or distracting environment.
• Interaction with the public, sometimes in high-pressure or emotionally charged situations.
• Travel to offsite locations or satellite facilities.
• Work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, or high-volume environment.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or be on-call.

Applicant Notice
Lake County Government posts all official employment opportunities on its careers page linked here. Positions may also appear on external job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter through our applicant tracking system.

Please be aware that unauthorized third parties may repost or imitate job listings. The most accurate and up-to-date information will always be available on our official website. Applicants are recommended to apply directly through our career page and should not provide personal information outside of the official application process.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.