Department Assistant Director (U) (Vacancy)

Columbus Water and Power (CWP) is seeking a qualified and strategic full-time limited Assistant Director to join our team. This leadership role is essential for managing IT operations at our utility, overseeing key projects and ensuring technology services align with both departmental needs and enterprise IT standards established by the City’s Department of Technology (DoT). CWP is increasingly reliant on technology to deliver on its core mission of providing clean water and reliable power to Columbus residents. As our IT environment grows more complex, this dedicated position is vital to ensuring security, compliance, operational efficiency and long-term sustainability of our systems.

Key Responsibilities
The Assistant Director will bring structure, consistency and accountability to CWP's IT operations by:

• Supervising IT staff, ensuring effective team management, professional development and performance evaluation.
• Serving as a dedicated liaison between CWP and DoT to ensure IT requests, issues and projects are managed efficiently and aligned strategically.
• Leading the development and implementation of IT related policies and procedures.
• Managing technical support services, triaging issues, and leading the IT request intake and review process.
• Overseeing IT projects, solution evaluations and business requirements gathering.
• Leading budgeting and procurement planning for IT operations, including software licensing and compliance.
• Managing vendor contracts and facilitating RFPs for IT services and equipment.
• Planning and overseeing the hardware lifecycle and computer replacement program.
• Implementing IT governance practices, ensuring security, compliance and alignment with City policies.

Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a proactive and experienced IT leader with:

• Strong leadership experience in IT operations and project management.
• Experience supervising IT staff and managing technology vendors.
• Excellent communication, organizational and decision-making skills.
• A collaborative approach to problem-solving and service delivery.
• Familiarity with public sector IT governance, compliance and procurement.

Benefits of Working with Us

• Lead high-impact technology initiatives that directly serve the Columbus community.
• Collaborating with mission-driven teams in a growing, technology-reliant utility.
• Enjoy a competitive public sector compensation package, including health insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave and professional development opportunities.

A person who has been selected by an appointing authority in accordance with the Columbus City Charter, Section 148(1) is said to have received an unclassified appointment. Those individuals receiving unclassified appointments serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority and may be terminated from employment at any time. Please contact the Civil Service Commission if you would like additional information regarding this process.

Under administrative direction, is responsible for assisting the department director in the direction of administrative or operational functions for the department; performs related duties as required.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

Serves as an advisor to the director on activities and or functions related to the department;

Participates in the formulation and implementation of rules, regulations, and policies;

Develops and coordinates special projects or programs, such as the Small Business Concierge, initiated by the department;

Oversees and coordinates administrative or operational functions, such as departmental fiscal and public/media relations, within the department;

Prepares comprehensive and technical reports, documents, and correspondence;

Represents the director or the department at meetings with constituencies, civic associations, business and special interest groups, community and neighborhood groups, or the public;

Keeps the director informed, on a timely basis, of all situations that could affect the accomplishment of departmental goals and objectives.

Recruitment #: 25-0052-V3

Employment Type: Full-time Regular

Should you have questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Lindsay Robinson

Columbus Water & Power

910 Dublin Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43215

P: (614) 645-5802

E: lmrobinson@columbus.gov