IT Operations Lead

The Community

The District of Sparwood is a welcoming and resilient mountain community of approximately 4,100 residents, located in the heart of the Elk Valley in South Eastern British Columbia. Sparwood offers exceptional access to outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and skiing — all while being just 1.5 hours from Cranbrook and 2.5 hours from Calgary. This is an opportunity to enjoy a balanced lifestyle while making a meaningful impact in local government.

The Opportunity

The District of Sparwood is seeking a technically skilled, service‑oriented, and forward‑thinking IT Operations Lead to join its Corporate Services team.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, the IT Operations Lead is responsible for providing both strategic and operational leadership for the District’s information technology environment. This role leads the delivery of reliable, secure, and cost‑effective technology services that support municipal operations, service delivery, and long‑term organizational sustainability. The position also acts as the primary technical advisor to senior leadership on technology risk, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

The IT Operations Lead provides leadership and oversight for the District’s information technology functions, including:

• Development and implementation of the corporate IT strategy and multi‑year technology roadmap

• Oversight of IT infrastructure, enterprise systems, cloud services, networks, and business applications

• Cybersecurity planning, risk management, incident response coordination, and security awareness initiatives

• Supervision, coaching, and performance management of the Information Technology Coordinator

• Delivery of reliable, responsive IT support services to departments and Council

• Management of IT operating and capital budgets, asset lifecycle planning, and vendor contracts

• Disaster recovery, backup, and business continuity planning for information systems

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is a technology professional who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgment, leadership capability, and a collaborative approach. They are comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands‑on operational oversight and can clearly communicate technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.

Qualifications and experience include:

• Diploma or degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive experience in information technology, including infrastructure and enterprise systems

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a supervisory, lead‑hand, or technical leadership role

• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity practices, disaster recovery, and modern workplace technologies

• Municipal or public‑sector experience and/or industry certifications (e.g., ITIL, CISSP, Microsoft, Cisco) are considered assets

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered

Compensation & Benefits

This is a CUPE regular full‑time position. The District of Sparwood offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Salary in accordance with the CUPE collective agreement at $47.70

• Pension and Employer paid benefits

• Earned Day Off (EDO) program

• Opportunities for professional development and training

• Active Living Pass providing access to the Leisure Centre, fitness centre, climbing wall, pool, arena, and select drop‑in fitness classes

• A supportive workplace that values work‑life balance

Apply Now! Closing date for applications is May 15**, 2026****.** Applications will be reviewed as received.

Qualified applicants who are offered and accept the position may be required to complete a satisfactory pre-employment background check. This may consist of all or a combination of the following: Canadian criminal record check, an employment verification and/or an education and accreditation verification, and a clean driver’s abstract.

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Job Description

Summary

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, the Information Technology (IT) Operations Lead is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving the District’s corporate information technology strategy to support organizational objectives, service delivery, and long-term sustainability. The position provides both strategic and operational leadership for enterprise systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and business applications, and oversees the work of the Information Technology Coordinator.

The IT Operations Lead acts as the primary technical advisor to senior leadership on technology risk, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data governance, ensuring reliable, secure, and cost-effective technology services for staff, Council, and the public.

Core Competencies

• Client / Customer Focus

• Commitment to Health and Safety

• Ethics and Integrity

• Leadership and Supervision

• Strategic Thinking and Long-Term Planning

• Cybersecurity Awareness and Risk Management

• Professionalism

• Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking

• Project and Change Management

• Vendor and Contract Management

• Teamwork and Collaboration

• Time Management

Job Duties

IT Operations & Supervision

• Develops, implements, and maintains the District’s corporate IT strategy and multi-year technology roadmap.

• Provides leadership and supervision to the Information Technology Coordinator, including workload planning, performance management, coaching, and training.

• Oversees the delivery of IT support services to all departments and Council, ensuring timely, professional, and effective resolution of technical issues.

• Manages the maintenance, configuration, security, and lifecycle of IT systems, including on-premises and cloud-based servers, networks, endpoints, mobile devices, and enterprise applications.

• Leads cybersecurity planning and operations, including threat monitoring, vulnerability management, security awareness training, and incident response coordination.

• Develops, tests, and maintains disaster recovery, backup, and business continuity plans for information systems.

• Establishes and monitors IT service levels, performance metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Ensures appropriate identity and access management, data protection, and system security controls are in place.

• Supports the development, implementation, and enforcement of IT policies, procedures, and standards.

• Provides escalation support and technical leadership for complex or high-impact IT issues.

• Coordinates staff training and user adoption related to new systems, technologies, and cybersecurity best practices.

• Liaises with external consultants, vendors, and service providers to ensure service quality and alignment with municipal objectives.

• Performs other duties as required.

Administrative & Financial Responsibilities

• Develops and manages the IT operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, asset lifecycle planning, and replacement schedules.

• Prepares business cases, technical reports, and recommendations for senior leadership and Council related to technology initiatives and risks.

• Manages vendor contracts, software licensing, renewals, warranties, and service-level agreements.

• Oversees procurement of IT hardware, software, and services in accordance with District policies.

• Maintains accurate documentation related to systems, configurations, procedures, inventories, and contracts.

• Ensures compliance with applicable privacy legislation, records management requirements, and regulatory standards.

• Performs other duties as required.

Education and Experience

• Diploma or degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive experience in information technology, including infrastructure, applications, and service delivery.

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a supervisory, lead-hand, or technical leadership role.

• Experience in a municipal or public-sector environment is preferred.

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

• Industry certifications (e.g., ITIL, CISSP, CISM, Microsoft, Cisco) are considered assets.

Job Requirements

• Strong knowledge of network infrastructure, system administration, cybersecurity practices, and disaster recovery.

• Experience supporting cloud-based platforms, remote access technologies, and modern workplace solutions.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and enterprise business systems.

• Knowledge of website and content management principles is an asset.

• Ability to supervise and support staff in a unionized environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills.

• Ability to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically, and professionally.

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Work Conditions

• Variations to hours, including evenings or weekends, may be required to support operational needs or emergency response.

• Work is primarily performed in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions.

• Regular use of computers and related office equipment.

• Extended periods of sitting and screen use.

• Interaction with employees, management, elected officials, vendors, and the public.

Hours of work will normally consist of five consecutive days - Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. As per the CUPE 2698 Collective Agreement Letter of Understanding No. 8, there are unique terms and conditions of employment applying to this position. Variations to the normal hours of work to include evenings and/or weekends may occur on a regular basis to carry out the duties of this position.