Technology Equity Manager

Salary Range – $60,000 – $68,000 annually

The Technology Equity Manager is responsible for digital equity, technology ethics, and technology-related philanthropic programming in the City of South Bend. There are two main components to this position. First, this position seeks new opportunities to help residents – with a focus on low and middle income residents in the city – improve technology access, adoption, and skills. They do this by forming partnerships, developing evidence-based programs, improving policy and seeking grants. Second, they work to make sure that the deployment of technology is as equitable and ethical as possible. To this end, they work with I&T, other City teams, neighborhood groups, and vendors to engage with residents on new technology deployments and projects (ex: WiFi expansion, smart sensors, citizen science projects, public safety technologies, etc.).

The Technology Equity Manager is within the Civic Innovation Division in the Department of Innovation & Technology (I&T). Civic Innovation works with philanthropies, universities, businesses, start-ups, and other external national/local stakeholders to leverage technology as a force for quality of live improvements in South Bend. These improvements include IT/Tech workforce programming, tech sector community building, smart city piloting, and technology infrastructure improvements.

As a leader and employee of the City of South Bend, you are called upon to serve in a manner that supports Our Core Values: Excellence, Accountability, Innovation, Inclusion, and Empowerment as you carry out our primary employee expectations: Champion Values & Organizational Pride, Champion Operational Excellence, Make Sound Decisions, Embrace Coaching and Accountability, Communicate with Excellence, Value Diverse People and Perspectives, Embrace Personal Development, Exhibit a Positive Attitude and Own Your Health, Wellness & Safety

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Interns
Contractors

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Foster and maintain local partnerships to forward the technology equity mission, including the South Bend Connectivity Coalition
Creatively design new solutions that help residents leverage technology for good in their lives
Apply for grants to forward technology equity, access, and adoption in South Bend
Research and measure outputs and outcomes as they relate to broadband access, technology training, and other technology equity topics
Lead civic engagement processes around technology planning, topics, and projects
Confidently organize and manage the execution of projects that often involve many different types of stakeholders and collaborations (ex: Public Works, Applications, Infrastructure, Parks, Police, Fire, schools, libraries, etc.)
Run point on the City’s engagement with digital inclusion national partners (ex: NDIA, NTIA, etc.)
Travel as needed to national and state conferences to learn and share technology equity and digital inclusion best practices for South Bend
Monitor best practices and emerging topics in the field
Be a multiplier force in the field by engaging with and empowering others to be a force for technology equity in South Bend

NON-ESSENTIAL/MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:  Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as apparent or as assigned.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science, Social Science, or Business, or related area of study; Masters in a related field of study is preferred.
• Significant professional experience will be considered in place of a degree.
• Preferred two years of strategic partnerships, civic innovation, or related experience beyond coursework.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An entrepreneurial, growth mindset

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders in an uncertain environment
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to advance civic innovation priorities
• Excellent organization skills
• Self-motivated with keen attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a professional manner
• Ability to analyze problems and select proper corrective action
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Experience creating strategy briefs and financial models for potential partnerships
• Experience establishing and maintaining partnerships with philanthropies and other organizations
• Experience in data analysis and other analytical skills to support civic innovation
• Skilled in project management

CERTIFICATES, LICENSE, REGISTRATION:  Valid Driver’s license required.

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 frequently required to sit and walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required in this job include vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in office settings, with moderate inside temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in the office. Entire office is smoke free. This position is based in South Bend, Indiana. This position is eligible for hybrid work in the Department of Innovation & Technology, as long as engagement with city teams and work performance remains high.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The City of South Bend is an at will employer.

Position Requirements

Required
Pre-employment Drug Screen and Background Check

About the Organization
South Bend is the economic, educational, media, and cultural hub of a multi-county region spanning the Michigan-Indiana border. It’s the fourth-largest city in Indiana with over 100,000 residents. South Bend’s flourishing collegiate community and burgeoning tech industry have built upon the foundation of the city’s industrial past to create a vibrant present and a promising future. The city’s 14 institutions of higher learning, including the internationally renowned University of Notre Dame, infuse South Bend with creative energy in the arts, business, and technology. Combined with recent economic growth, strong neighborhoods, an affordable cost of living, exciting recreational opportunities, and thriving arts venues make South Bend a fabulous place to live, work, and, play.

***AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.***

EOE/ADA Statement

The City of South Bend provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application/hiring process should contact the Legal Department’s ADA Compliance Officer, Michael Schmidt, at [email protected] and Human Resources at [email protected] to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The City of South Bend seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality public safety officers, staff and administration. The City of South Bend is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented candidates and others that will enhance our community in compliance with EO No. 1-2016 Section 1. Moreover, the City of South Bend prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors to employ and advance veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).