Director, Public Safety Solutions Development

About the role

The Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) leverages technology to drive opportunity, improve public safety, and help government run better across New York City. From delivering affordable broadband to protecting against cybersecurity threats and building digital government services, OTI is at the forefront of how the city delivers for New Yorkers in the 21st century. At OTI, you’ll have the chance to work on projects that have a meaningful impact on millions of people, collaborating with other passionate professionals who share your drive and commitment to making a difference through technology.

The Director of Public Safety Solutions Development will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Integration & Engineering team, unifying functions across Quality Assurance, Business Analysis, and Data Analytics to optimize delivery of solutions for NYC Public Safety. This senior leadership role will centralize responsibilities related to testing, analyzing results, understanding project requirements, and managing the Solutions Development Environment (SDE)—a mission-critical platform housing all PSEM software applications at an operational level equivalent to production. The SDE serves as a robust, controlled environment for proof-of-concept testing, technology evaluations, and integration of new solutions into existing public safety systems. By consolidating these functions under one leader, this role will streamline workflows, improve operational efficiency, and enhance outcomes for both citizens and visitors of NYC. The Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring that NYC Public Safety remains at the forefront of technological innovation, enabling seamless integration of new tools, telephony systems, and networking solutions to protect and serve the city’s residents and visitors effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership to unify and direct the Integration & Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Analysis, and Data Analytics teams.
• Oversee the management and development of the Solutions Development Environment (SDE) to ensure it mirrors production systems and supports rigorous technology testing and evaluation.
• Lead efforts to test, analyze, and validate new software applications and system enhancements for potential integration into NYC Public Safety operations.
• Direct the transition and integration of the Business Analysis and SDE support teams under this leadership role, ensuring a seamless change management process.
• Establish and maintain best practices for solution development, testing methodologies, and proof-of-concept evaluations.
• Partner with stakeholders—including operational teams, city agencies, and technology vendors—to align solution development with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement resource optimization strategies to maximize efficiency and reduce redundancies across functions.
• Assist in identifying operational needs and emerging technology opportunities to strengthen public safety service delivery.
• Maintain accountability for team performance, professional growth, and adherence to NYC Public Safety policies, standards, and quality benchmarks.
• Oversee special projects and initiatives as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Computer Systems Manager – 10050

• A master’s degree in computer science from an accredited college or university and three years of progressively more responsible, full-time, satisfactory experience in Information Technology (IT) including applications development, systems development, data communications and networking, database administration, data processing, or user services, with at least eighteen months in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity in those areas; or
• A baccalaureate degree and four years of progressively responsible IT experience (including eighteen months in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity); or
• A four-year high school diploma and six years of progressively responsible IT experience (including eighteen months in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity); or
• A satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to the above, provided that all candidates have at least a four-year high school diploma and at least three years of IT experience including eighteen months in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity.

Undergraduate credits may substitute for up to two years of the required IT experience (30 semester credits for six months each). Graduate credits in computer science may substitute for up to one year of the required IT experience (30 graduate semester credits for one year). Undergraduate and graduate credits may not substitute for the eighteen months of administrative, managerial, or executive experience.

Preferred Skills

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in technology solution development, systems integration, or public safety IT.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing large-scale test environments and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of public safety operations, mission-critical systems, and integration best practices.
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders in a complex organizational environment.
• Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Strong analytical skills and a track record of addressing complex challenges in high-pressure environments.
• Proficiency in managing software and hardware for public safety operations.
• Experience with QA frameworks, business analysis tools, and data analytics platforms.
• Knowledge of proof-of-concept and rapid prototyping methodologies.
• Familiarity with 24×7 operational environments and high-availability systems.
• Strong knowledge of telephony systems, networking, and mission-critical communications infrastructure.