CHIEF DATA OFFICER (BUREAU OF TECHNOLOGY) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

OVERVIEW

Cook County Bureau of Technology is seeking an experienced Chief Data Officer, responsible for providing organizational governance and policy direction for data usage across the bureau/department and for managing efforts to ensure accurate, accessible information supports data‑driven decision‑making and innovation. The role assists senior leadership and other departments in optimizing the use of data to guide organizational priorities and develops methodologies to support consistent application of data analytics. Responsibilities also include promoting a culture of data‑informed performance management and supervising a team that manages the technological aspects of communication, including websites, social media, email, video, audio, and other digital communication tools. 

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45%25 of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

This position may be eligible for an incentive bonus.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SALARY RANGE: $179,550 - $219,450 / YEARLY

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80%25 unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Job Summary

Responsible for providing organizational governance and policy directives around data usage and manage the effort to ensure accurate information is accessible for facilitating data-driven decision making and innovation across the bureau/department. Assist senior leadership and other bureau/departments to optimize the use of data in setting and driving the of all bureau/department. Develops methodology enabling consistent application and utilization of data analytics and advances a culture of leveraging data to identify trends and support performance management. Manages a team responsible for technological aspects of communication including websites, social media, email, video, audio, and various other form of communication.

Typical Job Duties

• Assess the data practices and develop plans to create a data-driven culture that pushes the policy agenda forward.
• Develops and manipulates data to inform executive policy decisions.
• Manages and enhances open government data effort including defining standards and coordinating how Cook County offers Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
• Engages internal and external stakeholders to drive awareness and constructive usage of open data.
• Identifies various sources of data to drive business innovation throughout the organization.
• Analyzes and interprets data to provide suggestions for improving processes and better achieving desired outcomes with bureau/department programs and policies.
• Uses techniques such as data mining, statistical analysis and modeling for new features and to solve problems, especially related to social science.
• Partners with stakeholders, to engage in predictive analytics, create and optimize dashboards and other tools, and further the use of data to better deliver responsive services to county residents.
• Oversees the integration and staging of data as well as the development and maintenance of the data warehouse and data mart.

Required for all jobs

Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher and
• Five (5) years in manipulating data in an information technology environment or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or Economics.
• Seven (7) years of experience in manipulating data in an information technology environment in the public sector or a large governmental organization.
• Five (5) years of previous management experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of programming in Python, working with Jupyter Notebooks, building data schema, and experience with Socrata software platform.
• Ability to establish plans and objectives within a discipline, make final decisions on administrative, employee or operational matters and effectively achieve objectives.
• Knowledge of mapping data, particularly using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Ability to communicate the strategic vision, foster team commitment and establish buy-in to enhance job function, department, and/or unit performance.
• Knowledge of current computer and electronic data processing systems and technology solutions to business problems.
• Advanced mathematical skills and knowledge of probability and statistics.
• Ability to set the overall direction and short- and long-term strategic goals for a job function, department, and/or unit.
• Knowledge of current computer and electronic data processing systems and technology solutions to business problems.
• Skill planning, directing and coordinating the myriad operational details and projects.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work. 

EMPLOYMENT TERMS                                                                                                                  

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.