IT Operations Manager

IT Operations Manager

Salary

$103,284.00 - $161,381.00 Annually

Location

Hastings, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

63060.26.001

Department

BUSINESS APPLICATIONS REPORTING - 2300004

Opening Date

11/09/2026

Closing Date

11/23/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology

HOURS: Fulltime

HIRING RANGE: $103,284-$ 129,105 /year (Grade Level 111)

SALARY RANGE: $103,284-$ 161,381/year

LOCATION: Hastings ADC

UNION: None

CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 11/23/2026

The IT Operation Managers role is to plan, coordinate and supervise all activities related to the analysis, design, development, configuration and implementation of organizational information systems operations within the area of responsibilities. The IT Operations Manager provides leadership and establishes operational vision, monitors and supports daily IT operations and provides strategic support to the IT Director.

Primary responsibilities include providing operational vision resulting in operational efficiency, reducing costs and establishing IT policies and technical standards. Additional responsibilities include risk assessment, support for IT audits, budget management, contract management, board approval, service requests and operational escalation.

Who we are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third most populous county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

NEED TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in computer information systems, computer science, engineering, business administration or similar discipline; AND
• Five years of work experience in an administrative or operational context, preferably in the Information Technology field.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience totaling nine years.

NICE TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree in computer science/engineering, information systems or a related field.
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation Certification.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the positions management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Advance the department vision, goals, program requirements and strategic plans by being the primary point person to support department operations.

• Assist with preparing, managing and monitoring the Information Technology department operational budget.

• Contribute to the development of departmental and county-level goals, measures, objectives and strategic plans and monitors the standards for achievement.

• Support the development and implementation of relevant departmental and annual county goals.

• Establish operational procedures, technical standards and support policies to foster operations that are efficient, uninterrupted and compliant.

• Develop and implement department policies and procedures and monitor policies and procedures for operational compliance.

• Research and draft proposed new and revised county policies related to Information Technology and guide them through the approval process to implementation.

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency,

• Support IT audits, risk assessments and compliance initiatives.

• Manage relationships with IT vendors, service providers and technology partners.

• Oversee software licensing, hardware procurement and IT contracts.

• Monitor service delivery and billing from vendors to ensure accuracy and quality standards are met. Address and resolve deficiencies.

• Seek and identify opportunities to reduce costs and/or improve quality in the future, including proposing new vendors.

• Serve as the primary contact for department-level operational issues.

• Ensure timely resolution of department incidents, service requests and escalations.

• Identify recurring problems and work in partnership with staff members to implement preventive measures.

• Coordinate with other county departments and/or external service providers to resolve operational issues and prevent their recurrence.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communication with peers within the Information Technology department and other county departments.

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to support business requirements.

• May lead and direct the activities of assigned staff through formal or informal supervision that includes work assignments, review of work performed, performance evaluations, setting goals and priorities and disciplinary procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Responsibilities 1-6 are essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge of standard practices, operations and documentation for an information technology organization.
• Knowledge of current developments and trends in information technology.
• Understanding the impact of organizational, management, administrative and personnel aspects of information systems design and the ability to resolve related problems and make appropriate recommendations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs, systems, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated skill analyzing, preparing and managing comprehensive department budgets.
• Ability and skill to lead and coordinate the professional and administrative support personnel and to establish and support effective working relationships within and among divisions, departments and outside agencies.
• Ability to discern changing customer needs, interests and requirements and to respond with innovative solutions demonstrating agility and creativity.
• Verbal and written communication skill to effectively conduct meetings, to lead others and to present analysis and recommendations clearly and concisely.
• Ability to establish department objectives and performance measures and to communicate, support and evaluate the achievement of those objectives and measures.
• Experience with budgets and/or vendor management. Strong analytical, organizational, communication and leadership skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Work is primarily sedentary and is usually accomplished while incumbent is comfortably seated at a desk or table. Some walking and standing may occur during a normal workday in connection with attendance at meetings and conferences or while researching files. Items carried typically are light objects such as briefcases, notebooks and data processing reports. Occasional evening and weekend work or travel may be required to meet service delivery standards. Ability to operate a computer and other devices and objects.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background check

Visit our Benefits site for more information.

01

• Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

02

Please select the highest level of education completed. Degree must be held by the closing date of this recruitment.

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent
• Professional/Technical Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post secondary education
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

03

Is your degree in computer information systems, computer science, engineering, business administration or similar discipline?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of work experience in an administrative or operational context, preferably in the Information Technology field?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• 9+ years
• No experience

05

Do you have an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation Certification?

• Yes
• No

06

What level of experience do you have supported the overall operations of an Information Technology department or a similar organizational unit?

• Limited experience assisting with specific operational tasks or projects
• Experience coordinating day-to-day operations and supporting departmental initiatives
• Experience serving as a primary resource for departmental operations, coordinating initiatives, and supporting the achievement of organizational goals
• Extensive experience overseeing departmental operations, providing strategic direction, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities
• No experience

07

What experience do you have contributing to the development and monitoring of departmental or organizational strategic plans, goals, objectives, or performance measures?

• Experience gathering information or providing input to support planning activities
• Experience assisting with the development of goals, objectives, or performance measures
• Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring departmental goals and performance
• Extensive experience leading strategic planning efforts and monitoring organizational performance against established goals
• No experience

08

What level of experience do you have managing relationships with vendors, contractors, service providers, or technology partners?

• Experience communicating with vendors regarding routine questions or service requests
• Experience coordinating vendor services, monitoring deliverables, and addressing service concerns
• Experience managing vendor relationships, monitoring contract requirements, and addressing performance deficiencies
• Extensive experience overseeing vendor partnerships, negotiating service expectations, managing contracts, and evaluating vendor performance
• No experience

09

What experience do you have identifying opportunities to reduce operational costs or improve the efficiency of departmental resources?

• Experience identifying potential cost savings or efficiency improvements
• Experience recommending process improvements or cost-saving measures
• Experience implementing cost-saving initiatives or operational improvements and evaluating their effectiveness
• Extensive experience leading cost-reduction and efficiency initiatives with measurable organizational results.
• No experience

10

The full salary range for this position is $103,284-$ 161,381 and preferred hiring range is $103,284-$129,105 annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidates' overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the Countys benefits package.

Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary youd accept if selected for the position?

11

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Indeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Diversityjobs.com
• Minnesotaworks.net
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

12

If you selected "other" above, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

Required Question

Employer Dakota County

Address Administration Center

1590 Highway 55

Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372

Phone 651.438.4435

Website http://dakotacountymn.gov