Salary: $151,692.32 - $193,583.52 Annually
Join our team as a Probation Chief Technology Innovation Officer and lead a dynamic team driving technology, innovation, and operational excellence for the Probation Department. In this key leadership role, you will oversee information technology operations, system development, cybersecurity, and strategic initiatives that support critical public safety functions across the Department. This position requires a forward-thinking leader with a proven ability to manage complex IT environments, ensure compliance with County, State, and Department of Justice standards, and implement innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and data-driven decision-making. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to improve public service, strengthening secure systems, and leading impactful change, we invite you to guide innovation in this vital role!
The Probation Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time Probation Chief Technology Innovation Officer vacancy. This position can be home-based in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria; however, travelto both locations is required.
The County classification title is Information Technology & Business Systems Manager III. This position is "At-Will" and exempt from Civil Service protections.
About the Department: The Probation Department's mission is to protect the community by providing information and recommendations to the courts; providing safe, secure and effective juvenile detention and treatment programs; enforcing court orders and post release community supervision conditions, requiring offender responsibility/accountability, and supporting rehabilitation; and providing victim services that include facilitating reparation and restitution to victims. For more information about the department, please visit: www.sbprobation.org
Benefits Overview:
The County of Santa Barbara offers a competitive benefits package that includes the following highlighted benefits:
- Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on the length of public sector employment.
- Management Leave: An annual bank of 40 hours of management leave is granted at the start of the payroll calendar year.
- Holidays: 12 days per year
- Sick Leave: 12 days of sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
- Health Plan: Choice of medical (with vision care) and dental plan options. The County contributes 100% of the least expensive EPO employee-only premium. The County also offers flexible spending plans and other voluntary options.
- Onsite Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and eligible dependents over the age of 5.
- Retirement: The County offers a Defined Benefit (Pension Plan). The County contributes 0.24% of base salary to a 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan. The County also offers voluntary participation into a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan.
- Life Insurance: $20,000 Term Life Insurance
- Public California Service: Applicants from other California public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit toward an advanced vacation accrual rate.
- New Hire Incentives: The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and at the discretion of the CEO, may provide sign-on incentives and/or time off advance accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.
For more information on County benefits, visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/1400/Benefits-Wellness
THE POSITION: The Probation Chief Technology Innovation Officercurrently leads a unit consisting of 7 subordinate staff broken into two subunits, the first of which provides user support for the 330 employees of the Probation Department and approximately 450 devices. In addition to user support, this unit maintains equipment inventory, device imaging and replacement, website updates and maintenance, and interfaces with IT vendors. They are responsible for security practices and ensuring a secure IT environment. The second subunit includes the EDP staff who are responsible for system development, integration between new and existing systems and the development of specialized reports and databases used to support the Department.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the third manager level in the Information Technology & Business Systems Management job family and oversees a division or multiple programs within a department. Incumbents oversee highly complex and strategic technology services and/or business systems functions and have responsibility for significant budget/funding levels. Decision-making includes establishing work unit objectives and goals, exercising considerable discretion in selecting the method to address a problem or issue, and fostering collaboration among and between the work units supervised as well as work units under the direction of others. Positions have significant impact on the specific work units or divisions, which may have department-wide effects.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Reports to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. Oversees the work of a team (two or more individuals) or teams of individual contributors through subordinate managers. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned management, professional, technical, and administrative staff.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate is an innovative leader with extensive experience in managing the full scope of IT services including hardware, software, networks, user support as well as development of databases and systems including integrations with internally developed and purchased solutions. This leader will demonstrate a proven track record of aligning mission critical IT infrastructure and systems with the operational goals of the organization.
Below is a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in this classification. These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.
- Plans, organizes, directs, and oversees departmental information technology operations supporting approximately 400 devices and 350 users.
- Administers, supports, and maintains the Probation Case Management System and more than 20 internally developed business applications.
- Serves as Departmental Security Officer and ensures compliance with County, State, and Department of Justice security standards and requirements including the protection of client records and criminal offender record information.
- Supervises, trains, and evaluates professional and technical staff, including Computer Systems Specialists and Systems and Programming Analysts.
- Assigns and prioritizes work, provides technical direction, and performs performance management and personnel administration functions.
- Provides advanced technical guidance and resolves complex or escalated technical and operational issues.
- Directs the administration and security of Active Directory, Group Policy, and enterprise authentication systems.
- Plans, coordinates, and manages equipment lifecycle replacement, operating system upgrades, and infrastructure modernization initiatives.
- Oversees network architecture planning to ensure system security, reliability, and scalability.
- Directs the maintenance, troubleshooting, enhancement, and lifecycle management of web-based and Windows-based applications.
- Oversees development and delivery of operational, analytical, and management reporting to support departmental functions and decision-making.
- Evaluates business and regulatory requirements and directs development of new or enhanced software solutions to improve operational efficiency.
- Oversees and supports IIS and SQL Server environments.
- Develops and implements annual and long-term IT strategic plans aligned with departmental and County-wide objectives.
- Establishes, maintains, and updates IT policies, procedures, and standards to ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to best practices.
- Researches emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices and recommends system and process improvements.
- Serves as technical consultant and departmental representative on County-wide committees, including the Santa Barbara County Data Sharing Committee.
- Provides technical expertise, analysis, and recommendations for multi-departmental and enterprise initiatives, including CalAIM and Reentry Planning projects.
- Oversees the development of databases and tools to track and report countywide criminal justice programs and statistics.
- Develops, administers, and monitors departmental IT budgets.
- Oversees procurement activities, contract administration, and vendor management.
- Analyzes financial and operational data and makes recommendations regarding resource allocation and cost-effective service delivery.
- Plans, leads, and manages information technology projects from initiation through implementation and completion.
- Identifies, analyzes, and resolves operational, programmatic, and system issues and communicates findings and resolutions to executive management.
Education and Experience
The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:
- Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in computer science, information technology, or related field; AND
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, enterprise systems, business systems management or a related field, including at least three (3) years as a direct supervisor or manager.
Additional Requirements: For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment. May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices and techniques of technology services and business systems in a public agency setting, including IT operations; IT enterprise security management; GIS operations; database management; application development and support; service desk and end user support management; enterprise resource planning; system management; operating system management; network architecture planning and design; network engineering; network infrastructure and telecommunications management; cloud services management; business analysis; and system migration management.
- Principles and practices of technology areas related, but not limited, to IT operations management.
- Principles and practices of IT enterprise security management, including e-discovery, cybersecurity, and cloud security management.
- Principles and practices of GIS operations.
- Principles and practices of database management, including, relational database development and management, and techniques of developing report/data warehouse structures, testing, and issue resolution.
- Principles and practices of application development and support.
- Principles and practices of service desk and end user support management.
- Principles and practices of operations system and information, including enterprise resource planning, system management.
- Principles and practices of network architecture planning and design.
- Principles and practices of network engineering, network infrastructure, and telecommunications management.
- Principles and practices of cloud services management, including usage and implementation of cloud-based architecture.
- Principles and practices of public administration and program management, including strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Management principles, practices and techniques.
- Principles and practices of fiscal management and budgeting.
- Principles and practices of program planning and administration.
- Personnel management principles and practices, including employee supervision, training, and evaluation.
- Principles and practices of group facilitation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
- Principles and practices of procurement and contract administration.
- Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
- Business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to the area of assignment.
Ability to:
- Effectively administer IT operations; IT enterprise security management; GIS operations; database management; application development and support; service desk and end user support management; enterprise resource planning; system management; operating system management; network architecture planning and design; network engineering; network infrastructure and telecommunications management; cloud services management; business analysis; and system migration management activities.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and measuring performance; and participating in the development of goals and strategic objectives.
- Manage assigned operations/programs and ensure ongoing compliance with strategic objectives and performance measures.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures
- Manage and evaluate assigned staff, including training, coaching, participating in developing goals and strategic objectives, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning and monitoring work.
- Analyze and evaluate operational programs, projects, and procedures.
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise changes and improvements in public agency projects and studies.
- Manage budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation.
- Interpret, monitor, and report financial information and statistics.
- Oversee the implementation of and adherence to quality assurance activities and standards.
- Research, recommend, and implement industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
- Resolve complex problems within the area of assignment.
- Prepare and oversee the preparation of reports, grant proposals, documents, and presentations.
- Create and provide informative presentations to stakeholder, elected officials, County leadership, and the public.
- Collaborate with program stakeholders, elected and appointed boards, the public, and internal leadership
- Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
- Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
- Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
- Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): Candidates who are qualified will be emailed a notice to complete and submit a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Candidates who successfully pass the PHQ will advance to the next step in the selection process. Failure to submit a PHQ by the deadline or not passing the PHQ will result in a disqualification from the recruitment.
- All qualified candidates who successfully pass the PHQ will be sent to the hiring department for consideration. The most highly qualified candidates may be contacted for selection interviews.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Appointee must successfully pass the following:
1. Background Investigation includes an interview and in-depth background investigation of police records, personal, military, and employment histories; inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and is a safe driver.
2. Polygraph Examination will measure the accuracy of information disclosed during the background investigation process.
3. Live Scan: A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter.
4. Medical Examination: Appointee is subject to a medical examination.
Disqualifiers:
- An admission of having committed any act amounting to a felony within five years in California, or in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
- An adult felony conviction in California, or with a conviction for an offense in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
- Currently on Probation or Parole
- Adult felony and/or misdemeanor conviction(s) may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and how recent
- Conviction of/or sustained petitions for any sex crime
- Recent use and/or possession of illegal drugs; Failure to reveal prior use will be disqualifying
- Unfavorable work history
- Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history
- History of committing domestic violence
- Dishonesty or failure to reveal pertinent information
The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of twelve (12) months.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 8/17/2026 at 4:59 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Erin Kuhn, Talent Acquisition Analyst II, erkuhn@countyofsb.org