The ACIO for DDS is responsible for meeting the technology service needs for the Department of Developmental Services. DDS provides support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, to enhance opportunities to become fully engaged members of their community. The Department's mission is to create, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully in their communities and meaningfully engage as valued members. DDS works with adults to connect them with an array of employment and day program supports, community living and other residential aid, and family support. DDS works with children to provide family support and supplement educational services through specialized programs that are individualized and planned using a person-centered approach.

The ACIO manages 5 direct reports overseeing for teams of IT professionals including Project Managers, Business Analysts, and Software Developers who are responsible for the maintenance and operation of all DDS's multiple data systems that support DDS operations and emergency response capabilities. As a major player in the design and implementation of IT processes, the ACIO must ensure that DDS has the information and systems needed to manage its operations and accomplish agency business objectives. The ACIO will be an integral part of the DDS Leadership Team to ensure faster, more actionable data for decision-making at all levels of the organization. The ACIO interacts with multiple subject matter experts, software vendors, and EOHHS and DDS leadership staff to ensure the successful coordination of activities and operations. Additionally, the position involves coordinating cross-functional projects and initiatives with multiple internal and external stakeholders. This role will serve as the executive sponsor of information technology governance processes and provide strategic and tactical leadership to help ensure that initiatives are delivered successfully, sustained operationally, and that DDS IT continues to meet evolving business needs.

The primary work location for this role is 1000 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118. The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST. This position is expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days as needed. Occasional travel and weekend support may be required.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of new DDS information technology systems, or functional enhancements while leveraging knowledge of EOHHS application landscape and secretariat priorities to identify opportunities for re-use within agencies across the secretariat.

• Manage and supervise the five information technology teams responsible for the ongoing operations and development of applications and services supporting DDS Program operations.

• Participate in the development and implementation of EOHHS IT strategic initiatives and priorities, represent and advocate for agency IT needs and policy priorities, and coordinate DDS agency priorities with other EOHHS IT teams as needed.

• Identify opportunities to align IT infrastructure with Secretariat modernization objectives.

• Participate in departmental meetings for DDS as a senior executive and advisor to the Commissioner and their team leaders.

• Represent and advocate for the IT needs of DDS and maintain an active understanding and awareness of program mission and policy priorities.

• Provide leadership and champion data modernization initiatives.

• Serve on the DDS Governance Committee and co-chair the DDS IT Steering Committee focusing on data management frameworks and their application to healthcare organizations.

• Coordinate with IT teams and project managers to publish detailed reports that effectively monitor systems projects and maintain a strategic roadmap to report on status and progress to both internal leadership as well as state and federal stakeholders.

• Ensure that IT initiatives have detailed project plans, work breakdown structures, project checklists, and budgets to meet established time frames that are aligned with available/approved financing, and staffing availability.

• Ensure timely reporting and management of operational IT budgets, grant budgets, and capital projects, including working with team leads and project managers to plan for upcoming budget cycles.

• Maintain or provide executive sponsorship and accountability for the development and review of procurement documents such as requests for proposal/quotes, statements of work, service level agreements, and submitted vendor proposals.

• Provide coordination and efficient communication strategies in a highly matrixed environment, communicating with external stakeholders and internal partners to ensure alignment and resolution for issues related to project deliverables and other topics as needed.

• Adhere to established Commonwealth policy and procedures with respect to system security, data governance, quality assurance, and other related standards.

• Take a lead role in the governance processes for the DDS IT systems to ensure that development activities align with Secretariat-wide strategic roadmap development and planning.

• Provide executive accountability as the primary point of contact for service impacting emergencies (e.g., network outages or application down) that impact DDS and its programs.

• Provide leadership and understanding of the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence and similar fast-moving technologies and provide guidance for adopting and integrating those services into the DDS IT infrastructure.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Competencies:

• Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by precedents, policies, and objectives. Regularly makes decisions and recommendations on issues affecting a department or functional area.

• Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are highly varied, complex, and often non-recurring, requiring staff input, innovative, creative, and Lean diagnostic techniques to resolve issues.

• Written Communications: Ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing, in English, to all levels of staff, management, and external customers across functional areas.

• Oral Communications: Ability to verbally communicate complex concepts in English and address sensitive situations, resolve conflicts, negotiate, motivate, and persuade others.

• Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of concepts, practices and policies with the ability to use them in complex varied situations.

• Teamwork: Ability create a collaborative and respectful team environment and improve communication and cooperation.

• Customer Service: Ability to lead operational initiatives to meet or exceed customer service standards and expectations in assigned unit(s) and/or across multiple areas in a timely and respectful manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a director and/or executive in government, healthcare, or human services information technology and business processes.

• Experience leading decision-making processes in a matrixed environment.

• Management experience, including planning, risk management, scheduling, task management, team leadership, and quality control.

• Experience with application development, information analysis, systems integration, and systems architecture.

• Knowledge of system development life cycles and methodologies.

• Knowledge of data management frameworks and principles.

• Experience with organizational change management and change control.

• Knowledge of management principles and practices, including the management of staff and professional development.

• Ability to work concurrently on multiple complex and sometimes ambiguous problems.

• Ability to communicate technical and non-technical information to various levels within the organization.

• Experience managing large information technology teams and/or projects.

• Excellent MS Office skills with a focus on MS Visio, Power Point presentation, and Excel.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong analytic, organizational, and documentation skills.

Supervision Received:

The Assistant Chief Information Officer for the Department of Developmental Services reports to the Deputy Secretariat Chief Information Officer.

Pre-Offer Process:

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry
• Criminal and tax history background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
• National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check.
• https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete theADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1 (800) 510-4122 Ext. #4.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in IT administration or IT management, of which (B) at least three (3) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.