Emerging Technology Program Analyst

Emerging Technology Program Analyst

Are you a leader who wants to make a difference? Do you have a passion for contributing to the community? We have an exciting opportunity to join our award-winning Business Innovation & Technology (BIT) department at Jefferson County as an Emerging Technology Program Analyst. The successful candidate will be a team player, self-motivated, and goal oriented.

The Emerging Technology Program Analyst identifies, evaluates, and pilots emerging technologies that have the potential to improve county operations, employee productivity, and resident services. With a primary focus on AI, automation, and other emerging technologies, this role scans the technology landscape, explores practical applications for Jefferson County, and leads structured pilot initiatives to determine whether new solutions can deliver meaningful value.

This role requires curiosity, relationship-building, and strategic thinking to identify promising technology opportunities, engage partners across the county, and determine whether emerging technologies can deliver meaningful value through pilots and experimentation. As technologies mature from exploration to broader adoption, this position may also support the development of operational models, governance practices, implementation recommendations, and change management approaches that help the county adopt new tools responsibly and sustainably.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys exploring new technologies, and can translate emerging trends into actionable opportunities for the organization while balancing innovation, risk, and practical implementation.

SCHEDULE:

This position operates on our four-day work week (Monday-Thursday) and is hybrid, with in-office work as needed and in alignment with department and team expectations. With supervisor approval, employees may switch to a five-day work week.

COMPENSATION:

Hiring Range: $85,000.00 – $ USD Annual

Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.

BENEFITS:

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off and holidays; retirement matching; wellness programs; tuition reimbursement and more. For more information,  for our Total Rewards summary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Research and track emerging technology trends with a strong focus on AI, automation, and other relevant innovations.
• Identify external success stories and case studies, analyzing their potential applicability to county operations.
• Evaluate the feasibility, risks, and potential benefits of implementing new technologies within the county.

Stakeholder Engagement & Buy-In

• Engage departments to explore potential applications of emerging technologies within their operational environments.
• Present compelling use cases and success stories to department leaders and key stakeholders to gauge interest.
• Conduct Discovery conversations to understand how emerging technologies may align with departmental goals, challenges, and opportunities.
• Secure approvals for pilot projects, ensuring alignment with operational and leadership priorities.

Pilot Planning & Execution

• Design and manage pilot projects from initiation to evaluation, ensuring structured testing and measurable outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional collaborations with BIT (IT department), operational departments, and other county stakeholders.
• Supervise and mentor interns, integrating them into research, implementation, and analysis efforts.

Evaluation & Handoff

• Analyze pilot results and develop recommendations for scaling, modifying, or discontinuing projects.
• Present findings and learnings to leadership in a clear and actionable manner.
• Develop implementation recommendations, change management considerations, and operational ownership plans for successful pilots.

Leadership

• Identify opportunities to engage innovation interns meaningfully in emerging technology initiatives to boost team capacity while providing valuable experiences.
• Direct and lead day-to-day activities of innovation interns.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to other staff, such as innovation fellows.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click "apply" for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's Degree
• Experience:
  
  One (1) year of experience in a full-time technology analyst role or equivalent (IT Solutions, business analysis, etc.)
• Certifications/Licenses: N/A
• Note an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable

Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Government, public sector, or other highly regulated organization experience.
• Familiarity with AI tools, automation…