Position Description: Director of Information Technology

POSITION OVERVIEW

The director of information technology provides vision, leadership, planning and management for the development, acquisition, implementation and support of information technology and related systems and services in support of the strategic vision of Martin Luther College.

POSITION FUNCTIONS

The director of information technology

1. Articulates the short and long term technological needs and strategies of the college as a partner in institutional planning processes, balancing academic and administrative needs.
2. Communicates, collaborates and cooperates with faculty, support staff, administration and students to plan, develop and support the information technology functions of the college.
3. Manages, directs and supervises the Information Technology staff, effectively integrating part time, student and volunteer support personnel.
4. Facilitates the academic computing function of the college in collaboration with the director of academic computing by supporting Internet, distance learning, video and other media resources.
5. Maintains, coordinates and administers appropriate databases to assist departments with the collection, management, storage and retrieval of data.
6. Provides and maintains a web presence that meets the internal and external communication needs of the college in collaboration with the director of public relations and departmental entities.
7. Assists departments in addressing functional needs, purchasing equipment, providing appropriate hardware and software upgrades and managing installation.
8. Assists faculty, support staff and administration in evaluating emerging technologies, maintaining technology literacy and creative application of technology resources.
9. Develops and manages the Information Technology operating budget and associated capital budgets in consultation with department heads and administration.
10. Develops, recommends, maintains and documents information technology policies, procedures, and security strategies, audits their effective use and monitors compliance.
11. Plans and manages the telecommunication services of the college (maintains telecommunication lines and phones; manages and maintains long distance services).
12. Serves as a member of the Technology Advisory Committee
13. Manages the information technology help desk function for electronic mail, standard desktop applications, printing services, voice mail, digital imaging services and equipment loans.
14. Maintains, improves and periodically reports on the college technology resources inventory.
15. Facilitates strategic alliances with synodical entities and higher education agencies to coordinate and leverage access to information technology resources.

The statements contained herein describe the current scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of the position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Assigned duties may change as circumstances warrant or by mutual agreement.

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT

The director of information technology reports to the vice president for administration and meets periodically with the Administrative Council for collaboration and integration of planning efforts

QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

• An active member of the WELS
• A commitment to the mission and core values of Martin Luther College and an ability to apply that commitment in the performance of daily responsibilities
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree and five years of systems administration experience in higher education preferred
• Knowledge of operating systems software and hardware, including a familiarity with the open source environment
• A willingness to remain current with emerging technologies, their application and administration through additional training
• Demonstrated proactive leadership and initiative in developing and implementing appropriate program goals
• Excellent organizational, supervisory, managerial, communication and interpersonal skills

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is negotiable and commensurate with experience.  This is a full time position with full benefits.

Technology Advisory Committee
Martin Luther College

Vision

Martin Luther College (MLC) is a collaborative, service oriented environment in which a three-stage framework characterizes the adoption and progressive use of technology:  duplication, application and transformation.

Duplication involves using technology to replicate what is already being done.  As an example, library books are augmented by digital resources.  Rethinking the use of technology in light of new possibilities and using technology to transform tasks characterize the application phase.  Converting traditional classes to online courses is a department-specific example.  Finally, doing old things in new ways transforms the functions of the institution.   New ways of providing student registration, billing, financial aid, parking services, library services, payroll, teleconferencing, employment resources, etc. transform the way the college functions.

Mission

The MLC Technology Advisory Committee works with the director of information technology to establish and implement a strategic vision for the use and integration of technology that supports and enhances the mission of the college.

Goals

The Technology Advisory Committee provides input on technology planning with careful attention to four areas:

1. The technology itself—the hardware, software, networking and upgrading capabilities.
2. Pedagogical and technical support and training for faculty, staff and students.
3. Integration of technology with institutional policies and procedures to provide a cohesive organizational function.
4. Alignment of technology use with institutional goals.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Initially, serve as a task force to provide a framework for hiring the next director of information technology at MLC.  Carry out the following tasks and submit an appraisal to the administration of the college no later than November 15, 2009.

   1. Evaluate the April 2009 technology consultants’ report and recommendations.
   2. Evaluate and, if necessary, propose revisions to the current position description for the director of information technology.
2. Develop and implement an ongoing plan to assess technology use at MLC.
3. Devise a strategic plan informed by assessment to guide future use of technology at MLC.  This plan should include the identification, sequencing and prioritization of projects as well as implementation strategies.

Membership and Administrative Oversight

The Technology Advisory Committee is a five-member standing committee comprised of faculty and staff (including the director of information technology).   The committee is led by a chairman who is also appointed to his leadership role.  The committee reports to the vice president for administration.  All recommendations from the committee are forwarded by the chairman to the vice president for administration for consideration by the Administrative Council.   Implementation of approved initiatives is the responsibility of the director of information technology.  

The vision and goals of this document were adapted from The Use of Technology: Institutional Issues by Marilyn Amey and Kim VanDerLinden, published as part of the NEA 2003 Almanac of Higher Education.