Team Leader, Information Management Services

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

- A Team Leader, Information Management Services (IMS) reports to Management, and supervises, directs and coordinates the day-to-day and scheduled work of various classifications, as well as external vendors.

- Work involves supervising, coordinating, scheduling, assigning, training and monitoring the work of various levels of Information Management Service professional staff, to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of information services to all District sites and staff.

- Work is performed under general direction with minimum supervision and considerable independence of judgement and action exercised within established policies and procedures. Liaison with all levels of internal district staff and external vendors is required. Responsibilities may vary depending on area of assignment.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

- Leads, coordinates and supervises the daily activities of an assigned IMS team of technologists and/or external consultants or vendors.

- Interacts and liaisesons with outside vendors, contractors and suppliers and assist with ensuring that the district is obtaining fair value for products and services received.

- Provides input and feedback on technology plans, standards, service level agreements, training requirements and emerging technologies and solutions to ensure that they serve curriculum goals and/or offer administrative efficiency.

- Coordinates, analyses and provides recommendations for upgrades, enhancements and modifications to the core computer programs of the district and school-based systems, including cost/benefit considerations.

- Conducts site visits to check, test, analyze and review system and network setup and configurations to ensure established standards are adhered to.

- Works to ensure that recognized industry practices, as they relate to Information Management Services, are adhered to. Examples of this include: ensuring efficient help desk support strategies and troubleshooting techniques are being implemented; that system security policies and procedures are being implemented and monitored; and demonstrating and portraying a team environment which promotes a strong code of ethics. 

- Promotes team member professional development by training and giving regular constructive feedback. Directs staff by clarifying expectations, goals, deadlines, procedures and troubleshooting techniques. Maintains plans for department professional development and encourages involvement of staff. 

- Evaluates work and of assigned team members, ensures competency of assigned team members.and takes responsibility to recommend changes, improvements and/or direction with respect to assigned team members.

- Facilitates and maintains documentation that reflects district standards, procedures and information needed to properly support district computer systems.

- Prepares feasibility analysis for user requirements and detailed systems specifications.

- Provides advice and recommendation to District and school staff regarding established standard computer, network and a/v equipment acquisitions.

- Works to establish purposeful communication links between IMS and school and administration sites as a critical support to enhancing the delivery and usage of technology throughout the district. Ensures that the department at all times presents a customer service focuses.

- Assists with the development and administration of budgets including equipment and systems repair and/or replacement cost benefit analysis and making associated recommendations.

- Implements established policies, procedures and guidelines as directed.

- Participates in the planning, training, implementing and evaluating of software applications.

- Develops, maintains and adjusts site visit schedules.

- Ensures the documented policies, regulations and guidelines are followed to dispose of old, unused equipment.

- Monitors, coordinates and schedules assigned team member attendance, leave, vacation, banked overtime and other requests. Checks time sheets for accuracy and completeness; reviews, leave and expense forms.

- Assists Managers or designate in the interviewing and final selection of job applicants. Familiarizes new employees with District policies and procedures.

- Employs project management and application development techniques to ensure successful implementation of applications, systems and networks.

- Coordinates work on multiple projects, prioritizing application enhancement requests within and between projects.

- Assists newly automated areas in developing technology support policies, procedures and guidelines for their departments as it pertains to data integrity and system usage issues.

- Maintains a small parts and components inventory. Requests and reviews workplan and cost quotes from outside vendors. Requisitions and signs for receipts of products and services, reviews and recommends payment of corresponding invoices.

- Keeps up to date with technology advances by reading bulletins, journals, manuals and attending seminars, etc.

- Performs related duties, as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Leading:

- Ability to lead, supervise, coordinate, plan, direct, evaluate and report out on the work of others including external vendors and consultants.

- Ability to lead by demonstrating commitment and accountability.

- Ability to impart technically oriented knowledge to users.

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with members of assigned team, other district staff and external vendors and consultants.

- Ability to motivate individuals and the team. Works to develop a positive working environment.

- Interpersonal skills with an emphasis in communication, leadership, teamwork and the ability to work within given organizational structures and timelines.

- Command of written and verbal English communication skills, including composition, grammar, punctuation and terminology related to the field.

- Application of a calm, rational, organized approach to tasks when under pressure and capability to manage time effectively, particularly in achieving published service levels.

- Ability to gain and maintain an understanding of school and districtclient's needs as they pertain to information technologies.

- Ability to give assigned staff frequent and ongoing constructive feedback

- Ability to successfully develop and manage projects and business case proposals.

- Systematic, disciplined and analytical approach to problem solving.

- Knows how to compromise to achieve desired results.

- Ability to proactively identify, anticipate problems and initiate solutions before they become major issues.

- Ability to create inventive solutions and new ideas for doing things.

- Ability to prioritize multiple work tasks and complete tasks as requiredper guidelines.

 Organizing:

- Ability to handle multiple tasks at the same time

- Ability to pay attention to details of the job at hand and minimize complaints.

Self-Development:

- Ability to challenge themselves.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

- Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise assigned staff.

- Two or more years of supervisory experience or demonstrated ability. Team Leaders will be required to successfully complete a 3 credit post secondary course in basic supervision/management skills within one year of their appointment..

- Completion of a two-year diploma in Computer Technology or Electronics from an accredited college.

- Six or more years of computer department experience in 1 or more of the following areas: project management, software development, application support services, systems analysis, help desk services, systems management, systems security, Wide Area Networking, in-service and training, disaster planning strategies, hardware repair.

- Experience with one or more of the following systems is important:  PC hardware, Microsoft NT/Windows 2000 OS, Apple Macintosh hardware and OS, Compaq Alpha/VAX hardware and OpenVMS OS and various layered and third-party software suites.

- Or an equivalent combination of training and experience where the experience is extensive and directly related to the job requirements and responsibilities.

- A valid B.C. Driver's Licence.