Innovation Technologist

The Innovation Technologist defines ESSC’s direction for innovative technology through activities and joint developments with internal and external partners as well as the ESSC Technologies Innovation Council. Will have shared responsibility for collecting, organizing, vetting, proposing, and developing (or acquiring) all IT capacity associated with technical innovation across ESSC, inclusive of application development and assessment. This will include the evaluation of various application-based technologies including augmented or artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) that can be brought into and used effectively at ESSC. Acts as a collaborator-in-chief with service lines and business units to bring mission-oriented innovative concepts to fruition/deployment.
Ultimately responsible for the exceptional delivery of new, improved technological capability that can potentially change the course of the business.

This is a hybrid position. Candidate must reside in Southern California and be willing to attend regular in-person meetings in Irvine.

Hiring Range: $162K - $204K / Year

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Leads innovative technology ventures and activities in partnership with internal and external entities, with an emphasis on being able to conceptualize new products, services and usages.
• Collaborates across ESSC functional teams to develop, generate, curate and operationalize innovative IT ideas, trends and concepts that can significantly impact the business.
• Creates and implements a plan for technology innovation that matches the organizations goals, Vision and Impact Plan and current market trends.
• Facilitates daily scrums and sprint planning and retrospective reviews of projects/activities, as needed, under their direction.
• Develops and oversees the implementation of the organization’s strategic goals for AI and ML.
• Provides guidance to teams and external vendors in creating and deploying AI algorithms and machine learning products and capabilities.
• Plans, defines and builds (or contract out) applications that will work to support the services ESSC provides.
• Works with IT Security, Compliance and the AI sub-committee to ensure that all AI related actions are consistent with appropriate policies, standards and guidelines.
• Functions as the Lead IT representative on the Technology Innovation Committee with an aim of generating ideas on a collective basis that can push the organization forward.
• Assists in the establishment of a Center of Excellence (COE) for Application Innovation at ESSC.
• In conjunction with IT Security, evaluates AI currently in use at ESSC particularly in the products of existing vendors, noting areas of concern to ESSC.
• Forges partnerships (in conjunction with Advancement) with external organizations having specialized expertise such that ESSC benefits from that expertise.
• Stays current on state and federal regulations and laws related to technology and their impact on organization and use of technologies in the day-to-day delivery of service.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree, in Math, Computer Science, Engineering or related field. Advanced degree in Math, Computer Science or Engineering preferred.
• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certificate, GSDC Generative AI Certificate, CAISF preferred.
• Acquires other certifications, as needed, in AI based software development and security.

EXPERIENCE:

• Recent leadership experience in a role where application innovation plays a significant role in the success or growth of the company.
• Recent experience building a strategic plan in application evolution (System development Life Cycle).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience working in the healthcare industry, with at least 5 of those at a director level in a healthcare department or organization working with Software Development Life Cycle.
• Demonstrated recent hands-on experience in leading IT projects to successful completion, with an emphasis on those involving application innovation.
• Experience leading and actively participating in agile (SCRUM) based technology projects.
• Recent experience building and/or managing smart phone-based applications.
• Minimum 2 years working in an AI environment within healthcare or related industry.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Demonstrable detailed working knowledge around the framework, use and deployment of current application development and management tools.
• Demonstrated recent hands-on experience in leading IT projects to successful completion, with an emphasis on those involving application innovation and incorporating external vendor products.
• Well grounded knowledge and familiarity with AI and ML.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate IT development operations with the needs of the organization.
• Recent experience building a strategic plan in application evolution (System development Life Cycle).
• Ability to work closely with both technical and non-technical people to build and create technology-based applications.
• Ability to conceptualize and develop technical products and to effectively communicate innovative technology-based concepts to others.
• Understanding of HIPAA security and privacy laws.
• Understanding of the practical application of the Secure Software Development Life Cycle.
• Understanding of the NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AIRMF).
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule (e.g. at home, Irvine office location).