About this role
Columbia Gorge Education Service District Job Description Job Title: Director of Technology Services
Assignment: Technology Services
Reports To: Superintendent
Evaluated By: Superintendent
FLSA Status: Exempt / Administrative
Wage: $126,060.00 - $131,790.00 Annually JOB SUMMARY The Director of Technology Services provides executive strategic, operational, and technical leadership for the Columbia Gorge Education Service District's (CGESD) technology infrastructure, instructional technologies, cybersecurity, enterprise data, and regional service initiatives. Reporting directly to the Superintendent and serving as a member of the Executive Administrative Team, the Director leads the strategic use of technology to support the ESD's mission of improving student outcomes with excellence, equity, and efficiency. The Director establishes a comprehensive, regional technology vision aligned with Local Service Plan priorities, component school districts, and contracted user needs across classrooms, offices, and schools. The position oversees department operations, directs capital replacement planning and budgeting, manages USAC E-Rate programs, and supervises Technology Department personnel. Additionally, the Director leads enterprise data governance, Personally Identifiable Information (PII) protection, and regional technology coordination. After-hours and emergency response duties are an expected component of exempt salaried responsibilities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other related duties may be assigned.
• Leads strategic and operational implementation for the Technology Department, establishing service expectations, departmental workflows, technical standards, and performance benchmarks that align with the CGESD mission, vision, and board strategic goals.
• Drives the strategic application of information and instructional technology in offices, schools, and classrooms to enhance student learning and regional operational efficiency.
• Supervises, evaluates, and leads Technology Department personnel (including engineers, cybersecurity analysts, database managers, and technical support staff); manages recruitment, workload assignments, professional development, and personnel matters.
• Develops, manages, and monitors the Technology Department operational budget in collaboration with Fiscal Services, ensuring fiscal integrity, cost-effective service delivery, and alignment with district priorities.
• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive multi-year technology replacement and capital improvement plan, evaluating total cost of ownership (TCO) and long-term sustainability across hardware and software ecosystems.
• Directs the district's E-Rate program, federal technology grants, and regional funding opportunities to maximize financial resources and cost-sharing for CGESD and component school districts.
• Develops, implements, and monitors a comprehensive enterprise information security and data risk governance plan to safeguard assets, networks, cloud computing, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Ensures that all CGESD and regional district employees receive systematic, ongoing training related to cybersecurity, information security best practices, and data privacy with focused attention on PII protection.
• Provides executive leadership and oversight for enterprise networking, virtualized hypervisors, telecommunications, cloud tenant environments (Azure, AWS, M365, Google Workspace), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Student Information Systems (SIS), and database applications.
• Oversees enterprise backup strategies, immutable data repositories, and disaster recovery execution protocols, leading periodic continuity testing to ensure high operational resilience and business sustainability.
• Provides executive advice to the Superintendent, Board of Directors, and administrative team regarding technology investments, emerging instructional technologies, information security, and technical risk management.
• Facilitates regional technology governance, local service plan alignment, and collaborative committees with component school district superintendents, technology directors, and educational partners.
• Negotiates systems acquisitions, software licenses, vendor contracts, and end-user service agreements in accordance with district procurement guidelines and state regulations.
• Acts as executive technical escalation lead for major network disruptions, critical cybersecurity incidents, system outages, or complex inter-agency technical integration challenges.
• Coordinates with district facility leaders regarding long-range infrastructure design, low-voltage installation standards, and building technology systems in existing and new facilities.
• Maintains accurate department documentation, inventory records, system topology standards, compliance reports, and vendor contract agreements.
• Directs the development and delivery of administrative and instructional system support and training in collaboration with agency curriculum and program leadership.
• Builds and maintains a network of strategic external relationships with state agencies, community colleges, K-12 education service districts, and technology associations to advance regional educational outcomes.
• Provides after-hours and weekend executive leadership as reasonably necessary during severe network outages, critical security incidents, or scheduled maintenance operations.
• Adheres to the daily schedule as assigned by the Superintendent.
• Performs related duties assigned to support the overall success, stability, and growth of the agency.
• Reports safety, sanitary, and environmental hazards immediately to the Superintendent or proper authority.
• Interacts thoughtfully, professionally, and courteously with district staff, administrators, board members, vendors, and school district partners.
• Communicates clearly and effectively across verbal, written, and visual formats, with a demonstrated ability to explain complex technical and quantitative concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Appropriately maintains, secures, and safeguards confidential employee, student, financial, and organizational records.
• Attends work daily as assigned and maintains punctual attendance.
MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Marginal duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other related duties may be assigned.
• Evaluates emerging educational technology tools, artificial intelligence applications, vendor demonstrations, and pilot programs for potential deployment within ESD programs.
• Represents CGESD at state, regional, and national professional technology associations, education service district councils, and technology task forces.
• Explores and develops contracted technology service models or revenue-generating partnerships with external public entities and neighboring service districts.
• Participates in general district administrative staff meetings, is a member of the Cabinet team, professional development workshops, and district safety committee meetings.
• Performs other secondary duties as assigned that are consistent with the overall scope and intent of the position.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Directly supervises all assigned Technology Department personnel, including IT Engineers, CyberSecurity Analysts, Database Administrators, Technology Specialists, and department support staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with CGESD policies, administrative rules, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, recommending hiring, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, coaching professional development, and addressing employee relations in consultation with Human Resources. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Graduate degree (Master's or Doctorate) in Educational Technology, Information Science, or IT Management preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise IT infrastructure management, systems administration, core networking, cybersecurity, or educational technology operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in executive strategic planning, supervising professional technology personnel, managing department budgets, leading enterprise initiatives, and managing vendor/procurement contracts.
Preferred Certifications & Credentials
• Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) or Project Management Professional (PMP). • CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM, or CompTIA Security+. • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA/CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), or Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate.
• TSPC Administrator license preferred.
Technical and Executive Leadership Knowledge
• Advanced understanding of enterprise infrastructure, hypervisors, cloud tenants, networking, and data center operations. • Comprehensive knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (NIST SP 800, CSF), data privacy regulations (FERPA, COPPA, CIPA), and PII risk management. • Broad familiarity with educational software systems, ERPs, Student Information Systems (SIS), database administration, and learning management systems. • In-depth knowledge of public sector budgeting, capital asset replacement planning, USAC E-Rate Category 1/2 programs, and state procurement regulations.
Strategic, Analytical, and Communication Skills
• Visionary Strategic Planning: Ability to align technology investments with educational outcomes, equity, and regional Local Service Plans. • Executive Communication: Demonstrated ability to explain complex technical and quantitative concepts clearly to school boards, superintendents, and non-technical stakeholders. • Inter-Agency Collaboration: Skill in building regional partnerships, negotiating multi-district service agreements, and fostering cooperative technology models.
Licenses and Clearances
• Valid Oregon Driver's License and evidence of insurability. • Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance. • Successful completion of ESD background screening.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms using computer displays and keyboards. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or climb stairs. Without significant risk of injury, the employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10–25 pounds and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds. Physical Requirements Rating Scale: N = Never (Not Present) | O = Occasionally (Up to 1/3 of time) | F = Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of time) | C = Constantly (2/3+ of time) Stand / Walk F Squat / Stoop O
Sit C Climb Stairs O
Drive O Lifting 10 lbs F
Single Grasping F Lifting 25 lbs O
Fine Manipulation F Lifting 50 lbs O
Computer / Display Use C Lifting 75+ lbs N
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work is performed primarily in standard office and education service district facilities, with frequent travel required among CGESD buildings, component school districts, regional partner sites, and state training venues. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate. Irregular working hours and evening/weekend duties are common, particularly during significant network outages, critical cybersecurity incidents, or major system cutovers. OTHER Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting As a mandatory reporter under Oregon law (ORS 419b.010), you are required to immediately report to Law Enforcement and/or the Department of Human Services any instances of suspected child abuse. See ESD Board Policy for specific reporting protocols. Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The ESD may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable, pursuant to Board Policy. Prepared By: KM Prepared Date: September 22, 2026 Reviewed By: DP Review Date: September 22, 2026 Approved By: Superintendent & Board Adopted Date: AGREEMENT I have read and received a copy of this job description. I understand the expectations required for this position and that a copy of this job description will become part of my personnel file.
____________________________________________________ ________________________ Employee Signature Date