The Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) is a state agency whose mission is to be the primary advocate for all veterans in the Commonwealth and provide them with quality support services. To accomplish this, DVS administers an array of programs and services, such as a needs-based benefits program (Chapter 115), coordinating with Veteran Services Officers located in every community in the Commonwealth, which provides direct financial assistance and annuity benefits to veterans and eligible next of kin, funding to organizations offering homelessness, transitional housing, and outreach to veterans, connections to Massachusetts Career Center veteran employment services, operating two Soldiers' Homes and two state veterans' cemeteries, and employing two unique and mission-critical outreach teams: The SAVE Suicide Prevention Team, and Women Veterans' Network. In addition, DVS is the only representative for all state agencies and for individual veterans before the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in securing federal compensation and other available benefits.

The vision of the Department of Veterans' Services is to ensure that Massachusetts is a place where all veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits and to the services earned, that they are respected for the service they have rendered and are able to live healthy and productive lives.

The Chief Information Officer is a key position in the agency. The position is responsible for defining the agency's future technology needs and oversight of all information technology products, systems, and applications during a time of transition for the agency. The Chief Information Officer provides guidance and direction on all information technology matters to promote operational performance and ensure integrated strategies and systems for sharing data among business units, agencies, and the service provider community.

The principal challenge of the Chief Information Officer is to adopt and implement strategic plans for technology investment and management that meet the needs of Veterans’ Services and the Homes. The Chief Information Officer integrates new systems into existing office, management, and planning functions to achieve efficient, effective, and accurate business practices, client service delivery, cost-saving strategies, and optimum results in the standardization of technology and data sharing. The Chief Information Officer works directly with EOTSS as the Secretariat liaison between EOTSS and the Veterans’ Services agencies.

The Chief Information Officer will be the main point of contact for working with the Executive Office of Technology and Security Services (TSS), which, through IT consolidation, will own the operation of the network, voice, mobile, and devices for the agency. The CIO is the main advocate for the agency's needs in this partnership.

The position is responsible for setting, implementing, and monitoring IT strategy and information security strategy for the agency as well as its two reports, the Veterans' Homes in Chelsea, and Holyoke. This position is responsible for overseeing and directing the efforts of IT professionals that run the day-to-day business of the agency including IT project management, application development and support, and site support for the Veterans Homes.

This role will oversee these tasks for approximately 1,000 employees, including at 9 different work locations. Systems used include laptops, limited desktops, mobile phones, desk phones, virtual conference devices, and medical devices.

Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general Summary and not all inclusive):

• Oversee the implementation of new Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) information technology systems; knowledge of application landscapes and secretariat priorities; monitor the progress, risk, and quality of all aspects of service and application development, implementation, and maintenance activities.
• Provide for the technology service needs for EOVS; develop and manage agency Service Level Agreements (SLA); resolve performances gaps and provide quarterly performance reports to agency executives; schedule, prepare and conduct follow-up activities for quarterly meetings between agency heads to discuss agency IT needs issues and successes; serve as primary Point of Contact for service related emergencies that impact agency IT operations; oversee the development and enforcement of all ADA accessibility standards across all secretariat applications and programs; ensure that operationally necessary accessibility supports are available to department personnel.
• Supervise IT Project Managers responsible for the maintenance and operation of services and other applications that support EOVS operations and provide management policy guidance.
• Oversee all IT budget planning and expenditure monitoring activities; ensure that executive staff is apprised of all major department financial needs; review and sign off for final approval by EOVS CFO of all major IT and systems integration procurement and contract documents.
• Oversee the development and implementation of all EOVS IT strategic initiatives and priorities; represent and advocate for IT needs and program policy priorities; coordinate agency priorities with Project Management and Planning (PMO) and other EOVS IT teams as needed.
• Decide strategic, operational, policy and budget matters; recommend technology service and application priorities and strategies; participate in departmental meetings as a senior executive and IT advisor; participate on other projects and activities as assigned by the Secretariat executive office.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in application development, information analysis and reporting, networking and systems integration and architecture.
• Effective leadership and management experience and organizational and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of System Development Life Cycles and methodologies including the use of tools for managing project timelines, change control.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices, including the management of staff and professional development.
• Knowledge of Advanced Planning Documents (APD).
• Experience and training in project management and state-of-art management information systems.
• Knowledge of risk management principles and methodology.
• Quality control and quality assurance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• Understanding of procurement and contracting regulations and policies.
• Knowledge of business process improvement theory and practice.
• Ability to establish strategic goals and objectives and priority program goals and objectives.
• Oversee IT budgets and spending plans.
• Ability to develop ad hoc and periodic management reports
• Ability to develop technology strategy, plan acquisition of technology, lead development and enhancement of IT systems in compliance with architectural standards and monitor ongoing operations to anticipate changes in requirements

Agency Mission:

The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans and provide quality support services and to direct an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need; an outreach program for homeless prevention, suicide prevention, two State Operated Veterans’ Homes and two Cemeteries.

The state-operated veterans’ homes were established as multifaceted health care facilities available to eligible veterans of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The mission is to provide long-term care and support services with dignity, honor, and respect. in the best possible health care environment for eligible veterans who reside in the Commonwealth.

Pre-Offer Process:

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in IT administration or IT management, of which (B) at least four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.