IA-CoCR-PM5-IT Project Manager-Public Safety Systems Replacement

Job Description

The City of
Cedar Rapids is seeking a dedicated and experienced IT Project Manager to
lead the full lifecycle implementation of a mission-critical Public Safety
Software System. This major initiative includes the replacement of the Computer-Aided
Dispatch (CAD), Records Management System (RMS), and Jail
Management System (JMS) serving law enforcement, fire, and emergency
services. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving this
multi-agency, multi-year effort from planning through implementation and
stabilization.

This
high-impact role requires technical competence, organizational discipline, and
the ability to collaborate across jurisdictions—including Police, Fire,
Sheriff’s Office, and IT—as well as with vendor partners. The anticipated
project duration is 18–30 months.

The position
offers some hybrid work flexibility, but onsite presence will be required as dictated by
the project phase, including workshops, vendor demos, stakeholder meetings,
testing, and go-live support. There may be periods where onsite attendance
is expected five days per week. Candidates must be able to reliably commute
to Cedar Rapids as needed. The City will not cover travel or relocation
expenses for non-local applicants.

Key
Responsibilities

– Lead
the end-to-end implementation of new public safety systems,
including:

– Managing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process
from planning through vendor selection.

– Partnering with a third-party consultant to
develop detailed technical and functional requirements.

– Ensuring alignment between business processes and
system capabilities—requiring a keen eye for business workflows and
the ability to translate operational needs into clear technology
expectations.

– Develop
and manage comprehensive project plans including timelines, budgets,
deliverables, risks, and communication strategies.

– Coordinate
with diverse stakeholder groups, including public safety
leadership, dispatch teams, jail staff, city/county IT, legal,
procurement, and external vendors.

– Facilitate
the definition of system requirements, workflows, integrations, and
success metrics based on stakeholder input and industry standards.

– Manage
interdependencies between RMS, JMS, and CAD modules, including
interfaces with state and federal systems (e.g., NCIC, NIBRS).

– Oversee
change management efforts, including communication, end-user
training, go-live readiness, and post-implementation support.

– Monitor
performance indicators and escalate issues proactively to
ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with minimal operational disruption.

– Ensure
proper documentation, reporting, and compliance with CJIS security
standards and public safety data requirements.

Minimum
Qualifications

– Bachelor’s
degree in Information Technology, Public
Administration, Criminal Justice, Business, or a related field.

– 5+
years of project management experience with complex software or
enterprise system implementations.

– Demonstrated
success managing large-scale, cross-departmental or multi-agency projects,
preferably in the public sector.

– Familiarity
with public safety operations, including dispatch, incident
reporting, and detention workflows.

– Proficient
in Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Teams, and Office/M365 tools.

– Experience
managing third-party vendors and software integrators.

Preferred
Qualifications

– PMP
and/or ITIL certification are highly desirable.

– Previous
experience implementing CAD/RMS/JMS platforms (e.g., Hexagon,
Tyler, CentralSquare, Motorola/Spillman, etc.).

– Familiarity
with CJIS compliance, NCIC requirements, and incident-based
reporting standards.

– Experience
using SmartSheet as a project management platform, or
demonstrated ability to quickly adopt new tools (SmartSheet is the City’s
preferred PM tool).

– Ability
to thrive in high-pressure environments requiring calm, confidence, and
clarity.

– Skilled
in translating technical concepts for non-technical
stakeholders.

Special
Requirements

– Must
pass local law enforcement background check prior to
employment.

– Must
obtain NCIC certification within 3 months of hire (training
provided).

– Must
be available for occasional off-hours coordination tied to
cutovers, testing, and public safety operational windows.

This is a rare
opportunity to help modernize critical infrastructure that directly supports
the safety and wellbeing of the Cedar Rapids community. If you are a
results-driven professional passionate about public service and technology, we
encourage you to apply.
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