Description
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The City of Monterey is seeking an innovative and strategic technology leader to serve as its next Chief Information Officer (CIO). Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the CIO leads the Information Services Division and is responsible for the City's technology strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and digital transformation initiatives.
This position oversees technology operations, major IT projects, budgeting, and technology governance while partnering with departments to deliver secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions that enhance City services and improve operational efficiency.
For planning purposes, panel interviews are scheduled for October 12, 2026 and will be conducted virtually. Final interviews are scheduled for October 23, 2026, and will be conducted in person.
ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY:
Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its own conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.
WHY WORK FOR US?
The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!
APPLICATION PROCESS:
A limited number of top applicants—based on their training, experience, and qualifications—will move forward in the selection process. The City will first review all online applications to decide who advances. Next steps may include a written exercise, skills test, panel interview, and final department interview. The Human Resources Department may adjust these steps as needed.
Before starting work, selected candidates must pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Applicants who complete all phases successfully will be placed on an eligibility list, active for 12 months. This list may be used to fill similar full-time, part-time, or seasonal positions.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The City of Monterey is committed to delivering excellent public services and fostering a workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented groups.
The City of Monterey does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected category.
SUMMARY: The Chief Information Officer is responsible for leading, managing, and administering the City's Information Services Division. Responsibilities include developing and implementing the City’s Information Technology Strategic Plan; overseeing technology project management, the application portfolio, budgeting and procurement; establishing information technology governance and policies, and directing information systems strategy, cybersecurity and digital resilience. The Chief Information Officer provides strategic leadership for the City's digital transformation initiatives, including enhancing public service delivery, promoting transparency, advancing data-driven governance, supporting smart city initiatives, and improving operational efficiency.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Chief Information Officer is a management-level position within the Information Services Division that receives general direction from the Assistant City Manager. This position oversees the Division and exercises direct and indirect supervision over subordinate staff. This classification is distinguished from other Information Services Division management classifications as the City’s highest-level Information Technology position.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Plan, organize, direct, and administer the City's Information Services, including enterprise technology operations, infrastructure, networks and telecommunications systems, enterprise applications, project portfolio management, customer support services.
Direct the City's cybersecurity, information security, enterprise risk management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and emergency technology planning programs.
Develop and implement the City's Information Technology Strategic Plan by collaborating with departments to identify business needs, evaluate emerging technologies, prioritize technology investments, and implement innovative, secure, and cost-effective solutions that improve organizational effectiveness and public service delivery.
Plan, assign, supervise, develop, and evaluate Information Services staff; establish work priorities and promote a collaborative, customer-focused work environment.
Establish and maintain citywide technology governance, enterprise architecture, data governance, policies, standards, and procedures; advise City leadership on technology strategy, investments, priorities, and enterprise technology initiatives.
Develop and administer citywide technology operational and capital budgets; oversee technology procurement activities, requests for proposals, contract negotiations, vendor performance, and technology investments to ensure effective stewardship of City resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
Lead the City's digital transformation initiatives by enhancing digital services, promoting transparency, supporting data-driven decision-making, and advancing smart city technologies.
Establish and monitor technology performance measures, service levels, and customer service standards to ensure reliable and effective delivery of information services.
Coordinate technology initiatives with regional, state, federal, and external partners; serve as the Emergency Operations Center Information Technology Unit Leader during emergency operations.
Travel is an essential function of this position. The incumbent must be able to travel regularly between City facilities and other work-related locations to respond to emergency operations, critical technology outages, cybersecurity incidents, and other operational needs, as well as to attend meetings and other work-related events.
Support the relationship between the City of Monterey and external customers by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
Perform other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.
Supplemental Info
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of:
Cybersecurity frameworks and best practices (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls).
Information security risk management, incident response, and vulnerability management.
Regulatory and compliance requirements impacting public sector IT (e.g., CJIS, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, state data privacy laws).
Principles of enterprise architecture, cloud computing, systems integration, enterprise applications, and modern technology infrastructure.
Data governance, data management, business intelligence, analytics, visualization, and open data principles.
Digital government, user-centered service delivery, transparency, and technology modernization practices.
IT service management principles, including service level management, incident response, problem management, and change management.
Public sector procurement, technology contract administration, vendor management, and software licensing.
Business continuity and disaster recovery
Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity, and modernization trends affecting local government.
Principles and practices of public administration, management, supervision, employee development, budgeting, fiscal management, project management, and organizational leadership.
Database set-up, design, and implementation.
Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment.
Skill in:
Strategic IT leadership, organizational change management, and enterprise technology planning.
Advising executive leadership and making high-level decisions regarding technology investments, risk, and service delivery.
Negotiating and managing complex technology contracts, vendor relationships, and service level agreements.
Identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity, operational, and enterprise technology risks.
Applying financial and budgetary principles to develop long term technology investment strategies.
Using data, analytics, and performance metrics to support decision making and improve service delivery.
Leading cross-departmental initiatives and facilitating collaboration across organizational and governmental boundaries.
Developing, communicating, and maintaining effective working relationships with City staff, executive leadership, elected officials, and outside agencies.
State-of-the-art and best practices in the computer hardware, software applications, and network and data communications fields.
The design, implementation, and management of local area and wide area networks.
Following oral, written, and coded instructions.
Preparing and presenting clear technical reports, recommendations, and presentations, and communicating complex technical information to diverse audiences.
Leading cross-functional initiatives and managing complex technology projects from planning through implementation.
Supervising administrative and technical staff.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Physical Demands
Standing & Walking – Primarily sedentary classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.
Sitting - Ability to work in a seated position at a computer station for extended periods of time.
Lifting - Ability to safely lift 35 pounds; this requirement includes bending at knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques.
Manual Dexterity - Ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as operating a computer keyboard; copying, and adding machines; writing.
Visual – Ability to read printed materials and view a computer screen for long periods.
Hearing and Speech - Ability to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
Mobility – Ability to work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle to visit various meeting sites, reach, carry, push, pull, stoop, and bend.
Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All City of Monterey employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), or a closely related graduate degree in technology management is highly desirable.
Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible experience in information technology management or enterprise technology leadership; Three years in a senior management role responsible for IT strategy, operations, budgets, and staff supervision. Experience in a government, municipal, public agency, or large enterprise environment is desirable.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's automobile insurance program.
CERTIFICATION:
Certifications in Information Systems, Project Management, and Cybersecurity (ITIL, PMP, CISM, CISSP, or equivalent) are desirable.
