In reviewing 2009-2010 budget needs for the Town of Christiansburg, the Finance Committee approved the recommendations of four new positions. This is in addition to establishing a Treasurer/Finance Director position, to replace the retiring Treasurer and so not considered a new job.
One of these four positions is for an IT Technician. The town had hired an Assistant-to-the-Town-Manager several years ago to address Information Technology needs, replacing a replacement for maintaining the town's website (and requiring a Computer Science degree). That position's responsibilities have expanded and shifted since then, so an IT Technician is now being requested because the town's increasingly complex network system, hardware and software interfaces and upkeep, plus maintaining the newly revamped website all point to this need.
Which need?
IT Technicians are typically certified (example CompTIA A+) as having demonstrated essential or universal skills for installing, configuring and troubleshooting personal computers and their interface with programs and telecommunication systems. This includes preventive maintenance and security, and requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills to translate end user needs from technical to layman terms. For a town the size of Christiansburg and all its departments, with most employees using either communication devices or personal computers, that sounds like a full time position.
Last April, the Mayor reported that responses to an RFP for a revamped website were being reviewed by a committee. Council had approved spending up to $40,000 for this tool in Dec., 2007. That RFP or even a summary of the resulting contract for services cannot be located on this revamped website, so the details aren't available to town residents. What is known is the revamped website is promised to grow and expand the services and information found there, that it cost about $35,000 and comes with a $6000 per year maintenance cost.
Web developers or designers don't typically have the same skill sets as an IT Technician. One is the mechanic or builder, while the other is the driver or interior designer. Web developers typically use specialized computer language (or code, such as HTML), and have expertise in utilizing even more specialized software including complex multimedia programs and database management systems (DBMS). Web designers may also be webmasters, who manage the information placed on a specific domain or website, ensuring links are functional and text or graphic materials are cataloged for searches or updates.
Depending on the organization, you may see a company outsource website development or design, but then train staff to maintain its content. If that person has some competence with the software programs being used and databases, their background may actually be in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or Marketing. These, too, can have specialized training and certifications.
If the town is serious about maximizing the effectiveness of its website, this sounds like yet another need. Another job. It is not common to find these various competencies in a single individual -- so is the town also going to pay to develop areas of expertise in whomever they hire? Then you get back to the first problem, retaining the personnel you've paid to train.
Which job does council intend to fill? Or are town administrators so removed from today's technology they perceive these to be interchangeable skill sets? Are they not aware of the power of personal computers, networks and websites -- or just not committed to leveraging these assets as they could and should be?
Watch the budget work session and next few council meetings to learn if any of these questions are applicable.