IT Director / Cyber Security Officer en Superior Court, County of Santa Clara, CA

About the Department

Under the leadership of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the IT Director / Cyber Security Officer will collaborate with the CIO to deploy industry-leading technology solutions that advance the Court’s mission. This role encompasses technology strategy and operations, software architecture and infrastructure, data governance, and IT business services to ensure technical excellence, cost efficiency, superior service quality, and heightened stakeholder satisfaction. A critical component of this position is a strong foundation in IT security—from safeguarding infrastructure and managing vulnerabilities to enforcing best-in-class cybersecurity practices, compliance, and risk mitigation. The IT Director may also serve as the acting CIO in their absence
 
Distinguishing Characteristics

This executive management role demands organizational sophistication and refined interpersonal skills to cultivate and sustain relationships with judges, court executives, court staff, vendors, and partner government agencies. The IT Director / Cyber Security Officer is responsible for both high-level technology planning and architectural development, playing a key role alongside the CIO in shaping the Court’s information systems strategic plans.

This position requires designing and implementing technical architectural frameworks—including hardware, software, network, data, and especially security—to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of Court systems and information assets. A forward-looking approach to IT security, risk mitigation, and resilience is essential, ensuring all technological infrastructures reflect best-in-class security practices.

Position Duties

• Oversee technology operations, including infrastructure architecture, data management, and IT business operations, with a security-first mindset to drive cost efficiency, service quality, and IT operational effectiveness across all functions.
• Collaborate with the CIO to uphold best-in-class strategies, processes, standards, policies, and especially cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF) to ensure IT governance and security are equally rigorous 
• Partner with the CIO to define the Court’s technology and security vision. Provide technical leadership that ensures IT investments align with both operational needs and the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
• Lead technology operations and staff, nurturing an innovative, customer-oriented, and security-conscious culture.
• Develop, coach, and mentor staff, emphasizing security awareness, professional development in cybersecurity practices, and incident response readiness.
• Inspire and motivate teams to deliver not just high quality and productivity, but also resilient and secure IT services.
• Oversee policy, procedure, and process development, making sure they incorporate strong cybersecurity measures—such as access control, vulnerability management, incident response protocols, and data protection standards 
• Guide the planning, implementation, and integration of new technologies, ensuring seamless, secure rollouts with timely adoption and minimal risk.
• Drive high-impact, court-wide strategic programs, incorporating cybersecurity risk assessments, recovery planning, and continuous monitoring into project designs.
• Supervise IT services staff, including security-focused roles; lead hiring, evaluations, promotions, and, as needed, disciplinary actions.
• Collaborate with court operations leadership to identify, deploy, and maintain secure and efficient technological solutions aligned with business goals.

• Lead budgeting, financial management, and supplier governance, ensuring strategic IT investments, cost control, and effective vendor relationships.
• Assist the CIO in resource allocation, balancing strategic and tactical needs to support operational excellence and innovation.
• Coordinate with the Judicial Council IT Division, other courts, and vendors to design, develop, and deploy business applications that support mission-critical court functions.
• Facilitate communication across IT groups and stakeholders, ensuring alignment on IT priorities, service delivery, and organizational goals.
• Perform other related duties as required, including supporting audit processes, continuous process improvement, and operational readiness.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical approach to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: an educational level equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field and seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, including three years or more in a senior management position. Due to the nature of this position, a California's driver's license and a good driving record are required. Employees in this classification may be required to use a personal vehicle to travel to and from project sites.
 
 Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles of information systems, IT security and infrastructure architecture, including enterprise network frameworks, strategic IT planning, and systems integration at scale.
• Emerging technology trends and strategic relevance, such as cloud computing, microservices, AI/ML applications, edge computing, and modular architectures that support scalable and agile solutions.
• Public access and open data strategies, particularly as they pertain to government and judicial information systems, ensuring compliance with accessibility and transparency mandates.
• Core management principles, including budget development and execution, financial forecasting, and vendor governance, aligned with organizational objectives.
• Supervision, staff development, and labor relations, highlighting team leadership, performance management, training, and organizational administration.
• Project management methodologies and tools, including cost estimation, project planning, risk tracking, and coordination across teams and stakeholders.
• Strategic business planning and acumen, encompassing turning IT capabilities into business value, aligning tech initiatives with organizational strategy, and driving digital transformation.

Ability to:

• Lead and manage cross-functional project teams, to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget, while balancing risk and operational goals.
• Guide, facilitate, and coordinate diverse technical programs, uniting   IT professionals to develop aligned technology and security strategies across the organization.
• Select, train, and develop IT staff, aligning team capabilities with project and organizational needs, and fostering expertise in areas such as risk management and secure architecture.
• Set direction and cultivate a high-performance, collaborative culture, balancing innovation with cyber resilience and promoting a shared responsibility model between IT and security.
• Lead operational assessments and improvement efforts, optimizing service delivery, efficiency, and information management with a strong emphasis on security and risk mitigation.
• Oversee the development of custom applications and solutions, ensuring they are modern, scalable, and architected with security—such as secure authentication and data protection—in mind.
• Communicate complex technical and cybersecurity concepts to non-technical stakeholders, using clear business language to build credibility, influence decisions, and foster alignment.
• Encourage innovation while applying cost-benefit analysis, ensuring investments in technology and security measures deliver tangible value without compromising risk posture.
• Prepare and deliver concise, informative reports and correspondence, often translating data into business insights for executive leadership and judicial oversight.
• Align divisional objectives with broader organizational goals, ensuring synergy between IT delivery, cybersecurity objectives, and court business imperatives.
• Conceptualize and develop long-term technology and cybersecurity architecture strategies, incorporating frameworks like NIST CSF or ISO/IEC 27001 to support security resilience and future growth.
• Lead strategic planning sessions, integrating cybersecurity risk assessment, resilience modeling, and governance into the technology roadmap.
• Ensure organizational compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations, including cybersecurity mandates, privacy laws, and information governance standards.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the judiciary, court management, IT personnel, and county agencies—building mutual trust and shared understanding across all stakeholders.

Other Qualifications

WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work environment is generally clean inside buildings with limited exposure to dust, fumes, odors, and noise. Incumbents will be working under sometimes difficult and stressful conditions, with frequent deadlines and expectation to produce high quality work under limited time constraints as well as periodic contact with angry and confrontational individuals. The ability to work independently as well as closely with others is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Specific tasks and duties may vary between assignments, however, the following are considered essential functions expected of the IT Director classification:

• Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the more advanced clerical functions and communications;
• Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees in other court divisions, government agencies, the public, and/or vendors with the ability to converse and respond appropriately to inquiries and requests;
• Periodic to regular lifting, walking, and carrying of files, documents, and other court related materials. Incumbents must have the ability to lift and carry 10 lbs;
• Work with time constraints and under pressure in some situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis;
• Ability to listen to verbal requests from the public and court staff, then respond appropriately;
• Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper, occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs, such as files, stacks of paper, reference books, and other materials;
• Frequent need to reach for items above and below desk level, sometimes with the assistance of a ladder or step-stool;
• Standing and sitting for long periods of time is periodically required.

EXAMINATION: A screening panel will be convened to select those applicants deemed most qualified to participate in a written and/or oral examination.  The examination process will include one or more of the following: application appraisal; written examination; oral examination.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: 
This recruitment requires the submission of an on-line application. No paper applications will be accepted. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire is required. An electronic copy of your Resume must also be submitted as an attachment to this application submission.

The Court is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status. The Court provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you are disabled as defined by the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act or the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and will be requesting an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call (408) 882-2700, to discuss your request. TDD communication is available by calling (408) 882-2787.

The Court must verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees to comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act. This verification is required only after an offer of employment has been made. For further information regarding the required verification, please contact Human Resources at 408-882-2747.