IT Innovation Strategist

The City of Green River is seeking an IT Innovation Strategist to lead strategic initiatives in innovation and emerging technology for the City. Responsibilities include evaluating and implementing technologies to improve efficiency and service delivery, collaborating with various stakeholders, and developing a technology innovation roadmap. The position requires a Bachelor's degree and four years of relevant experience. It is primarily office-based in Lakeland, FL.
General Description Of Class This position provides strategic leadership for innovation, emerging technology adoption, and smart city initiatives for the City. This position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and implementing emerging technologies and innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency, service delivery, sustainability, and data‑driven decision‑making across City departments. This position collaborates with City leadership, departments, external partners, vendors, and community members to ensure that innovation and emerging technology initiatives are well coordinated, comply with City policies and standards, and are designed and implemented to meet the City’s business needs and goals. The primary function of this position is to provide leadership, direction, analysis, and engagement for effective performance in these areas. Additionally, this position will drive innovation, develop and integrate road maps, and build synergies across the City’s departments to ensure the timely adoption and long‑term success of innovation and emerging technology programs. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment. Essential Functions Manages and facilitates interns. Creates and executes a strategic plan for the City’s innovation, emerging technology, and smart city programs and initiatives. Provides organizational thought leadership on emerging technologies and innovative new ideas and concepts to meet the demands of an ever‑changing industry landscape. Identifies, evaluates, and develops a mechanism to track the City’s current smart city, innovation, and emerging technology initiatives. Conceptualizes, defines, designs, and manages the development of new innovations and emerging technology products to provide exceptional customer experience. Acts as liaison with other City departments, partner agencies, and vendors to ensure the coordinated delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that meet City standards. Facilitates planning processes and develops a framework for innovation and emerging technology efforts in collaboration with community, internal, and external stakeholders. Collaborates with other staff on developing a technology innovation roadmap, a cross‑departmental team, and a process for soliciting, testing, and evaluating creative approaches to government and community challenges. Represents and promotes the City’s innovation approach at various external venues to facilitate collaboration. Contributes expertise and support for other special initiatives as assigned. Ensures innovation, emerging technology, and smart city programs, projects, and initiatives comply with federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department. Position is designated as Mission Critical. Qualifications (education, Training And Experience) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Information Technology, Data Science, Innovation, AI, Urban Planning, or a related field. Four years of progressively responsible experience in an organizational or municipal environment in emerging or innovative technologies, including technology planning, management, or implementation, including collaborating with departments, vendors, community stakeholders, and/or technical teams to move emerging technology, smart city, or innovation initiatives forward. Special Requirements Must possess and maintain City driving privileges/a valid driver’s license. Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number. Knowledge Knowledge of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, data platforms, cloud technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), and software lifecycle management best practices. Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Knowledge of city government functions, processes, and operations. Knowledge of quality principles and tools, especially root cause analysis and problem solving. Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and techniques. Skills Skill in using project and portfolio management processes and tools, and negotiating contracts. Skill in high‑level communication, interpersonal communication, customer relations, intercultural knowledge and appreciation, partnership‑building skills, and teamwork. Skill in recruiting and building a partner ecosystem. Skill in being results‑driven, detail‑oriented, well‑organized, and a self‑starter. Abilities Ability to flourish with minimal guidance, be proactive, and handle uncertainty and ambiguity. Ability to identify opportunities for partners to utilize existing and in‑development products. Ability to partner with product teams to build world‑class features. Ability to develop a vision, shape strategy, drive progress, encourage innovation, and take strong ownership under dynamic, constantly evolving conditions. Working Environment / Physical Requirements The job requires sedentary and active work that involves some walking or standing at times, exerting up to 20 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use. The job requires operating City general‑purpose vehicles (automobiles or pickup trucks). Some job duties may be performed in an office environment, while others may require fieldwork at various job sites. The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, depth perception, texture perception, and sense of smell. This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced. THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary: USD 72000 - 108000 per year

Experience: 4 years required