IT Innovation Strategist

IT Innovation StrategistPrint (ApplyIT Innovation StrategistSalary$89,335.64 - $134,004.00 AnnuallyLocationEmployment Services, FLJob TypeFull Time RegularJob Number3139-02DepartmentInformation TechnologyDivisionInformation Technology 1700000000Opening Date02/25/2026Closing DateContinuousFLSAExemptBargaining UnitNA Description Benefits Questions GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASSThis position provides strategic leadership for innovation, emerging technology adoption, and smart city initiatives for the City. This position is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and implementing emerging technologies and innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency, service delivery, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making across City departments.This position collaborates with City leadership, departments, external partners, vendors, and community members to ensure that innovation and emerging technology initiatives are well coordinated, comply with City policies and standards, and are designed and implemented to meet the City's business needs and goals. The primary function of this position is to provide leadership, direction, analysis, and engagement for effective performance in these areas. Additionally, this position will drive innovation, develop and integrate road maps, and build synergies across the City's departments to ensure the timely adoption and long-term success of innovation and emerging technology programs. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment.Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Manages and facilitates interns. Creates and executes a strategic plan for the City's innovation, emerging technology, and smart city programs and initiatives. Provides organizational thought leadership on emerging technologies and innovative new ideas and concepts to meet the demands of an ever-changing industry landscape. Identifies, evaluates, and develops a mechanism to track the City's current smart City, innovation, and emerging technology initiatives. Conceptualizes, defines, designs, and manages the development of new innovations and emerging technology products to provide exceptional customer experience. Acts as liaison with other City departments, partner agencies, and vendors to ensure the coordinated delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that meet City standards. Facilitate planning processes and develop a framework for innovation and emerging technology efforts in collaboration with community, internal, and external stakeholders. Collaborates with other staff on developing a technology innovation roadmap, a cross-departmental team, and a process for soliciting, testing, and evaluating creative approaches to government and community challenges. Represents and promotes the City's innovation approach at various external venues to facilitate collaboration. Contributes expertise and support for other special initiatives as assigned. Ensures innovation, emerging technology, and smart city programs, projects, and initiatives comply with federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department. Position is designated as Mission Critical. QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE) Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Information Technology, Data Science, Innovation, AI, Urban Planning, or a related field. Four years of progressively responsible experience in an organizational or municipal environment in emerging or innovative technologies, including technology planning, management, or implementation, including collaborating with departments, vendors, community stakeholders, and/or technical teams to move emerging technology, smart city, or innovation initiatives forward. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Must possess and maintain City driving privileges/a valid driver's license. Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIESKNOWLEDGE Knowledge of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, data platforms, cloud technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), and software lifecycle management best practices. Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Knowledge of city government functions, processes, and operations. Knowledge of quality principles and tools, especially root cause analysis and problem solving. Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and techniques. SKILLS Skill in using project and portfolio management processes and tools, and negotiating contracts. Skill in high-level communication, interpersonal communication, customer relations, intercultural knowledge and appreciation, partnership-building skills, and teamwork. Skill in recruiting and building a partner ecosystem. Skill in being results-driven, detail-oriented, well-organized, and a self-starter. ABILITIES Ability to flourish with minimal guidance, be proactive, and handle uncertainty and ambiguity. Ability to identify opportunities for partners to utilize existing and in-development products. Ability to partner with product teams to build world-class features. Ability to develop a vision, shape strategy, drive progress, encourage innovation, and take strong ownership under dynamic, constantly evolving conditions. WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The job requires sedentary and active work that involves some walking or standing at times, exerting up to 20 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use. The job requires operating City general-purpose vehicles (automobiles or pickup trucks). Some job duties may be performed in an office environment, while others may require fieldwork at various job sites. The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, depth perception, texture perception, and sense of smell. This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.City of Lakeland2026 Summary SheetAnnual LeaveAnnual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.Sick LeaveSick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.Sick Leave PoolAllows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768Family & Medical LeaveFederal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.Pension PlanProvision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.Defined Benefit Plan:Plan C Employee 4.52%Employer 15.54%ORDefined Contribution Plan:Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police RecruitsEmployee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hireEmployer 15.54%Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.HolidaysTwelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.Funeral LeaveUp to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.Jury/Witness DutyEmployees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.Military LeaveAllows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).Maternity LeaveRefer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.Leave of Absence Without PayWritten requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.Longevity PayTuition ReimbursementProgram provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.Suggestion AwardsA program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.Uniforms/EquipmentUniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.ParkingFree while at work.Break PeriodsEmployees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.01Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Information Technology, Data Science, Innovation, AI, Urban Planning, or a related field? Yes No 02If you have a college degree, please indicate the area of study for your degree. If not, please type N/A.03Do you have four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in an organizational or municipal environment in emerging or innovative technologies, including technology planning, management, or implementation, including collaborating with departments, vendors, community stakeholders, and/or technical teams to move emerging technology, smart city, or innovation initiatives forward? Yes No 04Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.05Please indicate which type of valid driver's license you possess. Florida driver's license I have an out-of-state driver's license I do not have a valid driver's license 06By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process. Yes No Required QuestionEmployerCity of Lakeland, Civil ServiceAddress500 N Lake Parker Avenue Lakeland, Florida, 33801Phone(863)834-8790Website

Created: 2026-03-04