IT DIRECTOR

IT Director Position at La School Employees' Retirement System

The incumbent in this position serves as Director of the Information Technology Department of the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System (LSERS), and will report to the Unclassified, Assistant Executive Director. The Information Technology Department consists of three distinct areas: Application Development, Technical Support, and Document Management, which reside outside of the scope of the Office of Technology Services.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies: Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement. Leading Effective Teams: The ability to build, guide, and motivate teams to achieve goals through collaboration, accountability, and shared purpose. Managing Projects: The ability to plan, implement, and close out project initiatives by coordinating people, resources, and timelines to achieve defined outcomes. Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.

Minimum Qualifications

One year of the required experience for the following minimum qualifications must have been at the supervisory level or above: Eight years of experience in information technology; OR Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus six years of experience in information technology; OR An associate's degree in information technology plus six years of experience in information technology; OR A bachelor's degree plus six years of experience in information technology; OR A bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours in an information technology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or business analytics field plus five years of experience in information technology; OR A master's degree plus five years of experience in information technology. EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field. NOTE: A certification in an approved area may be substituted for the education and/or experience requirements at the time of hire or promotion, provided the appointment is made from a Certificate of Eligibles.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties and Other Information

Job Duties:

• Evaluates business needs and organizational goals by conferral with system administrators, department managers and users, and develops a long-range strategic plan. Sets short, intermediate and long-range goals and objectives based on the agency goals. Research available technology and develops information technology strategies that closely aligns with agency mission and goals. Manages the integration of computer platform technologies, data, voice, and imaging systems to effectively meet the operational needs of the system. Monitors changing trends, standards and regulations which might affect LSERS and plans appropriately.
• Plans, prepares and monitors the agency-wide information technology operating budget of approximately $250,000 (over $700,000 million including personnel services). Prepares and makes final recommendations regarding the Information Technology department budget, interagency agreements, contracts and other major expenditures. Develops business-based technology recommendations for presentation to agency administrators and ensures Information Technology personnel resources are able to support LSERS mission and goals.
• Meets with agency administrators, department managers, and users to discuss and resolve operational problems, plans, and administrative issues. Guides LSERS management in the design, development and implementation of new management information processes and in implementation of enhancements and modifications to existing systems and processes. Confers with agency administrators and department managers on existing and proposed projects to ensure appropriate definition of project scope and proper fit in the agency's long-range strategic plan. Works with employers on business system requirements and on the development of internet access capabilities to facilitate their reporting requirements to LSERS.
• Provides oversight in the selection, purchase and installation of information system equipment and software to ensure proper integration into LSERS' existing and future technology infrastructure.
• Directs and monitors information technology programming, support, consulting, and operational functions. The Information Technology Director is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, training, and evaluation of the Information Technology departmental units, including the three direct reports consisting of one IT Supervisor, one IT Technical Support Analyst l, and one IT Application Developer I.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agencies' policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and handling non-routine personnel issues such as disciplinary and performance/behavioral problems; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Directs the management of external project managers and consultants who assist in the integration of hardware and software products into LSERS' information technology system.
• Directs and monitors the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans for LSERS' information systems, including overseeing and monitoring Information Technology Security and Compliance.
• Meets and interacts with peer Information Technology directors of other state agencies in the monthly Council of Information System Directors (CISD) meetings to stay abreast of current information technology issues in state government.
• Performs additional duties as deemed necessary by the Assistant Director.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Promotional, only open to current permanent employees of La School Employees' Retirement System.

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

Marcie Berkholz LSERS Human Resources mberkholz@lsers.net

Benefits

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career. As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at

Parental Leave Up to six weeks paid parental leave More information can be found at

Holidays and Leave State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System ( LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System ( among others