IT Specialist

Incumbent serves as IT Specialist for the City of Valparaiso Police Department, responsible for developing, implementing, and managing technological solutions and infrastructure needed to enhance efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of law enforcement operations., Manages and maintains all hardware, software and technology infrastructure, including offering ongoing technical support.

Ensures law enforcement systems and data remains Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) compliant and are secure from cyber threats and compliance with privacy regulations. Develops, maintains, and tests disaster recovery plans.

Oversees deployment and maintenance of various technologies such as body cameras, forensic tools, and databases, including training appropriate staff.

Creates and implements long-term strategies for adoption and integration of technology for law enforcement operations.

Oversees budget for technology, ensuring cost-effectiveness and proper allocation of resources. Researches, purchases, and implements new equipment, including analyzing cost, deployment, training required, judgment, and adaptation as required. Maintains licenses and documentation.

Manages projects related to technological upgrades or new system installations, ensuring they align with Department goals.

Installs, configures, secures, administers, documents backup and troubleshoots desktop, laptop, mobile devices, peripherals, including WAN, LAN, wired, wireless, internet, intranet websites and applications.

Supports, documents, and maintains user account information, including rights, security, and system groups. Receives, prioritizes, and resolves user requests.

Assists in negotiating contracts with consultants, technical personnel, and/or vendors for services and products.

Analyzes data to optimize law enforcement operations, enhance decision-making and ensure effective use of technology. Works with other law enforcement agencies, vendors, and government organizations to ensure technology is aligned with law enforcement needs and regulations.

Implements preventative maintenance routines and schedules, including maintaining detailed records of service performed. Identifies and implements process improvements as needed.

Performs onboarding of new employees, including setting up, training, and issuing proper equipment.

Performs database administration, and duties on SQL server, including updating, creating, tables, views, triggers, stored procedures, and granting access or revoking access.

Analyzes, designs, develops, tests, and implements Window's applications, including ensuring hardware and software are compatible with Windows, SQL server or vendor upgrades. Resolves technical issues, including conducting research.

Provides proactive maintenance and monitoring on all server and software activities and back-ups to ensure software and hardware operational availability.

Assists with content creation for Department recruitment, media, or general dissemination needs.

Stays informed on emerging technologies and evaluating their potential application to improve law enforcement practices.

Performs related duties as assigned., Incumbent performs duties which are broad in scope and call for consideration of complex variables in managing Department network systems. Work requires extensive knowledge of technical and non-technical data, with incumbent establishing Department goals and objectives and implementing policies, procedures, and performance standards. Individual judgment and personal decision-making are needed in selecting and adapting standard practices and procedures to fit varied circumstances and conditions. Work is reviewed primarily for technical accuracy and effect on department goals and objectives.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, other law enforcement agencies, vendors, technical personnel, consultants, network users, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, rendering service, providing instruction and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to the IT Director.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying equipment/objects weighing over 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling/stooping, close/far vision, color/depth perception, handling/grasping/fingering objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended hours, evenings and/or weekends, and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight, and is required to respond to emergencies on 24-hour basis and serve on call on rotation basis.

Do you have a valid Driver's License license?, Do you have experience in Writing skills?, Do you have a High school diploma or GED?, High school diploma or HSE with previous experience in information technology, Microsoft products, and data communications and networks.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Possession of and ability to obtain and maintain A+ certifications, Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Outlook and Excel preferred.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to utilize advanced computer skills in networking, management, Microsoft products, including MS Management Console, SQL, Office 365 products and management, and MS Cloud Service.

Thorough knowledge of operating systems, security systems including anti-virus applications, content filtering, firewalls, authentication systems and intrusion detection, networking technologies, network security and network monitoring solutions and notification systems.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to provide use and troubleshooting of current and legacy law enforcement technologies, and planning and executing complex technology projects.

Working knowledge of standard office policies and procedures with computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, email, internet, and Department-specific software systems, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

Working knowledge of installing, repairing and maintaining technical equipment.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare correspondence and complete required reports within established deadlines.

Ability to properly use standard office machines and equipment including computer, calculator, telephone, scanner, body cameras, and printer.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to compare or observe similarities and differences in data, compile, collate or classify data, analyze and evaluate data, and make determinations based on data analyses.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, other law enforcement agencies, technical personnel, consultants, vendors, network users, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, and work rapidly for long periods, often under time pressure.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and/or locations, and plan and layout assigned work projects.

Ability to count, compute, and perform arithmetic calculations.

Ability to read and interpret prints, layouts, specifications, and technical manuals.

Ability to occasionally work extended hours, evenings and/or weekends, and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight, and to respond to emergencies on 24-hour basis and serve on call on rotation basis.

Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance, * Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance