IT Operations Supervisor (Madison)

Under the direction of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this position provides critical operational leadership for the Wisconsin State Public Defenders’ (SPD) IT Department. The incumbent exercises operational oversight across the department’s technology portfolio. This role is responsible for the management support of multifaceted teams, specifically encompassing IT service management (ITSM) and support, cybersecurity and risk management, database and application development, digital workplace initiatives, and IT training. This role ensures that technology operations-ranging from desktop support and hardware provisioning to the maintenance of the agency’s case management technical infrastructure, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure-are executed efficiently and securely. The incumbent provides direct supervision to staff, establishes rigorous process documentation, enforces compliance with state security mandates (such as CJIS), and drives IT performance metrics that support the agency’s mission. This position ensures project delivery within scope and budget, and acts as a backup when the CIO is unavailable.

Additionally, this position serves as the primary lead for Identity and Access Management (IAM) and security governance initiatives, ensuring that all technology implementations align with established agency standards. The incumbent is responsible for enforcing comprehensive policy governance, proactively identifying potential compliance risks., Background Check: We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. A criminal background check will be done prior to an offer of employment.

Minimum Qualifications (Required - Candidates must have experience and/or training relevant to these areas in order to be considered for this position):

• Hands-on IT Infrastructure/Security: Proficiency in configuring and managing security tools (such as EDR, SIEM, and firewalls) and demonstrated experience leading active incident response and/or vulnerability remediation.
• Strategic Security Governance: Experience integrating high-level security frameworks (e.g. NIST or CIS Controls) into daily technical operations by providing clear, hands-on guidance and troubleshooting support to ensure agency-wide compliance.
• Project Management/Leadership: Demonstrated experience being involved in planning, organizing, and executing IT projects involving managing team resources, scheduling, and task prioritization.

A well-qualified candidate will also have experience in the following areas:

• Application Portfolio Management: Managing software portfolios and experience with the full application development lifecycle - from requirements gathering and design, to testing and deployment.
• Supervisory/Personnel Management: Serving in a formal supervisory role, which could include performance management, staff coaching, and conflict mediation.
• Public/Legal Sector: Experience with either of the above preferred qualifications within the public sector and/or a legal/case-management environment.

Pulled from the full job description

• Loan forgiveness
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Pension plan
• Paid holidays, This classification is in pay schedule/range 70-02 and the starting hourly pay range will be between $41.03 and $65.22 per hour ($85,342 to $135,657 per year). A one-year probationary period may be required.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or reinstatement) for a position assigned to the stated pay range or counter-part pay range, should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

Final selected candidates may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement to relocate to the place of employment.

Are you seeking a rewarding and challenging career? Bring your information technology and supervisory skills to the State Public Defenders (SPD) and make a difference in the lives of Wisconsin residents! The SPD is currently recruiting to fill one full-time IT Operations Supervisor (IS Supervisor 2 classification) position. This role will be headquartered in our central administrative office at 17 South Fairchild St. in Madison, WI., What We Offer: This is an excellent opportunity to develop a meaningful and rewarding career with the SPD. Our employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package, including access to the region’s best health plans, and generous paid time off starting with 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays, and ample sick leave so that you can truly have work/life balance! SPD employees also enjoy participation is one of the nation’s top-rated pension plans. Additionally, if you have student loans, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. To learn more about the value of SPD’s total compensation package, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator.

Why Work With Us? At the SPD, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive, human-centered and family-friendly culture, where everyone is encouraged to bring their “whole self” to work. Professional development is encouraged and supported, and we offer a wide variety of training opportunities to help you grow in your career. Our leadership’s goal is to provide a work environment dedicated to ensuring that each and every staff member is treated with respect and dignity, recognizing each individual’s contributions to the team. We encourage all applicants to read about the SPD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here.

Who We Are: SPD provides legal representation for persons who are accused of crimes or are defendants in certain specified civil matters, and who meet statutory financial eligibility criteria. The mission of the SPD is to zealously represent clients, protect constitutional rights, and advocate for an effective and fair criminal justice system. Our commitment is to treat our clients with dignity and compassion, as they are at the center of everything we do. To learn more about the various career paths and opportunities at the SPD, please click here.