IT Director

Overview

Ava Community Energy (Ava) is a Joint Powers Authority comprising Alameda County and its incorporated areas, and the cities of Lathrop, Stockton, and Tracy. Ava’s charter is to provide its customers with low carbon, cost-effective electricity that integrates innovative energy products and maximizes local benefits through the development of local solutions, ranging from increasing access to rooftop solar to supporting the adoption of electric vehicles.

Culture and Commitment to Diversity : Ava believes in a vibrant culture that supports a workforce where every individual has the opportunity to attain professional goals and contribute to our mission. We foster open communication, responsibility, curiosity, accountability, and teamwork in an entrepreneurial environment. Ava is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and skills and prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment based on age, religion, color, gender identity or expression, race, ancestry, national origin, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or characteristics, disability, and other protected statuses as required by law.

Position Summary : We’re looking for an experienced Information Technology (IT) Director to lead and grow our technology function. In this role, you’ll shape the IT vision across the organization while ensuring systems are secure, reliable, and empowering for staff. You’ll oversee endpoint management, SaaS tools, network infrastructure, cybersecurity strategy, and emerging AI tools to help us work smarter. This position reports to the VP of HR, Office Operations, and IT and collaborates with leadership across departments to align IT initiatives with organizational goals.

Why Join Us?

This is more than an IT leadership role — it’s a chance to guide how a mission-driven, future-focused organization uses technology to achieve big goals. You’ll build systems that make work better for people, keep us secure, and position Ava at the forefront of innovation in clean energy and community impact.

Position Details

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Ava’s IT Team currently includes one full-time employee (IT Manager) and support from a third-party IT partner. The IT Director will lead this team with hands-on involvement in areas as needed. Time allocation percentages provided are estimates and may change with priorities.

IT Operational and Strategic Leadership [est. 40%]

• Lead the IT function, including staff or external vendors, setting priorities and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Mentor and manage performance to develop a strong team culture.
• Develop and execute the organization’s IT strategy across IT operations, cybersecurity, AI adoption, and alignment with agency objectives.
• Partner with leadership to ensure IT initiatives support goals, values, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee IT vendors and contracts, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with needs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with the Engineering, Analytics, and Salesforce (EAS) Team on initiatives and daily activities.
• Develop reporting tools and dashboards; communicate complex technical information in clear updates for leadership.
• Security & Compliance [est. 20%]
• Strengthen security posture with external experts and vendors.
• Enforce endpoint security policies; coordinate with cybersecurity teams / partners.
• Support MFA and conditional access configurations for devices and software.
• Ensure compliance with public agency and industry security standards.
• Assist with incident response, threat mitigation, and device lockdown procedures.
• Maintain IT and data-related compliance with public agency standards and organizational policies.
• Collaborate on compliance initiatives, audits, and reporting with the EAS team and other functions.
• Maintain documentation and evidence of compliance activities for internal / external review.
• Support risk assessments and implement mitigation measures.
• Device & SaaS Application Management (Non-Code / Non-Data) [est. 15%]
• Provision, configure, and deploy laptops and phones across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
• Manage Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems.
• Develop policies for full-disk encryption, anti-virus, and secure boot.
• Maintain hardware inventory with timely patching and updates.
• Administer user accounts across productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, Notion, Zoom, JIRA) excluding code / data platforms.
• Implement and manage SSO integrations across Ava workspace platforms (e.g., Okta, Google Workspace, Azure AD).
• AI & Emerging Technology [est. 15%]
• Identify and implement emerging technologies to improve efficiency and security.
• Partner with teams to leverage AI to enhance workflows and service delivery.
• Develop governance standards for emerging technology and AI; ensure ethical use.
• Stay informed on regulations, risks, and best practices; communicate implications for policies.
• Advise leadership on the role of AI in advancing the clean energy mission and community impact.
• Collaborate on the Ava AI roadmap with EAS and Legal teams.
• Continuously evaluate AI tools and adjust long-term strategy accordingly.
• Building & Office Infrastructure [est. 10%]
• Oversee maintenance of office Wi-Fi, routers, and firewalls (e.g., Ubiquiti, Meraki).
• Configure secure network access policies, including segmented guest / staff networks.
• Manage office technology (A / V, printers, docks, monitors, etc.) and assist in-office tech issues.

Minimum Qualifications

Compensation And Benefits

The annual salary for this position is $223,740 with a Total Compensation of up to $250,589 annually based on performance. Ava offers a generous benefits package including :

Location and Working Conditions

This position will be based at Ava headquarters in Oakland, with a hybrid approach of in-office and remote work. The role is expected to go into the office on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the first Wednesday of the month.

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform essential functions. Ava provides reasonable accommodations for known disabilities and will engage in a timely interactive process to determine potential accommodations.

Licenses / Certificates

Working at Ava Community Energy

Ava is committed to equal employment opportunity and compliance with applicable laws. We prohibit discrimination based on protected characteristics and require vaccination for employment (exemptions evaluated by legal counsel). The information provided is not a contract and is subject to change.

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