Digital Equity Officer and Director of Broadband and Cable - City of Boston, MA
The Digital Equity Officer and Director of Broadband and Cable is a senior leader in the Department of Innovation and Technology in the City of Boston, reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer. The Department of Innovation and Technology coordinates and leads the digital equity portfolio for the City of Boston, in close partnerships with other City agencies such as the Boston Public Libraries, Boston Public Schools, AgeStrong Commission, amongst others providing critical resources for our residents to access digital resources. The Department also acts as the licensing agent for cable operators within the City, coordinates the Public, Educational, and Governmental cable channels, and operates the City’s Cable Channel - Boston City TV. The Department supports the deployment of broadband technologies and acts as the licensing agent for the deployment of wireless (small cells and 5G) applications in the right of way.
The Digital Equity Officer and Director of Broadband and Cable oversees the Broadband, Cable, and Digital Equity Office in the City of Boston’s Department of Innovation and Technology. The Officer works with the Chief Information Officer in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of the digital equity plan and enforces the provisions of the cable franchise agreements as well as the wireless network license agreements. The officer also manages the operations of the City Cable TV and supports other City cable channels and works collaboratively with the FCC, other Federal Agencies, State Agencies, Public Access Television, Internet Service Providers, Local digital equity non profits, and many other critical partners that work to connect Boston residents.
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Responsibilities:
There are six areas of responsibility for the Digital Equity Officer:
- Digital Equity - support efforts to bridge the Digital Divide through Digital Inclusion and literacy initiatives such as Tech Goes Home and The Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN Media.)
- Broadband Expansion - Utilizing our contractual relationships with cable and wireless providers to expand the City’s fiber network and support efforts to expand and project Wicked Free Wi-Fi (WFWF) and other Smart City efforts.
- Constituent Response (CRM) – advocating for Boston residents who are cable customers;
- Regulatory – licensing, negotiating, enforcing and monitoring cable franchises & access contracts;
- Telecommunications Policy– permitting telecom providers & monitoring government telecom policy, expanding city fiber assets and broadband connectivity; and,
- Public, Educational, Government (PEG) Access Programming -- PEG Access is the vehicle by which local community residents and institutions can participate in, or view, local television through the local cable system’s access channels. In Boston, we provide five cable and online channels plus Boston’s LPFM Radio station, WBCA, for community, education and city government, in partnership with Boston Neighborhood Network Media. BNN Media is a nationally recognized community media center and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, that acts as a public forum for all Boston residents, nonprofit and community-based organizations, and provides affordable training in, and access to emerging media technologies.
Additional Activities:
- In partnership with the CIO, coordinates the development and revision of the Digital Equity plan, coordinating with other City departments and agencies as well as external partners to execute strategies that ensure that Boston residents have access to connectivity, devices, and skills.
- Negotiate and administer franchise agreements, franchise renewals and transfers and administer public policy relating to long-term use of public rights-of-way for wireless and wireline, telecommunications, and other utility companies.
- Monitor and enforce compliance of all PROW agreements; manage compliance reviews and audits; enforce appropriate compliance actions; develop and administer policies and procedures for the programs.
- Manage and oversee annual license reporting, collection of public-right-of-way fees, and develop an enterprise software tool used for fee reporting and collection.
- Manages the negotiation of the cable franchise agreements, under the direction of the Chief Information Officer, including coordinating with legal and technical partners that facilitate the negotiation process.
- Working and coordinating closely with the Department of Public Works, Public Improvement Commission, and other agencies. Manages the wireless (small cell/5G) license for the public rights of way, and coordinates to ensure that the City’s, State, and Federal regulations are followed in the deployment of technology in the right of way.
- Directs the City Cable TV operations including developing the strategy and budget, supervising the team responsible for the cable team.
- Partners with Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN Media) through the City’s PEG grant agreement.
- Supports technical and engineering for City Council Television.
- Supervising a small group of employees about 4-5 staff members.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
- A deep understanding of the technical and regulatory environment for telecommunications and technology policy.
- Ability to interact with a diverse set of groups including resident groups, community based organizations, telecommunications companies, cable companies, state and federal regulators in a respectful and productive manner, advancing the interests of Bostonians.
- Ability to negotiate and work collaboratively with legal counsel to enforce existing regulations, as well as new and emerging regulations and programs.
- An understanding of finances, preferably with grant writing and grant administration experience.
- A clear communicator both written and verbally who can engage with legislative bodies, departments and agencies.
Experience:
- A minimum of eight years of professional experience in information technology, with four years of direct personnel management, at least four of which are in a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience in public telecom policy and/or licensing or contractual compliance.
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in information systems management, computer science, business management, public administration, or related field is required. A master's degree (or equivalent experience) is preferred.
- Strong technology skills with demonstrated strength in key aspects of modern IT. Must possess the technical skill necessary to lead a highly technical team, set strategic direction, and make well-informed investment decisions.
- Experience working in a large or midsize organization. Experience in the public sector and/or unionized environments is desirable.
- Demonstrated leadership, change management, and communication skills.
- Excellent presentation, oral and written communications skills.
Boston Residency Required
Terms:
Non Union/Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non Union
Hours Per Week: 35
The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, qualified applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category.
The City of Boston has played a role in causing and perpetuating the inequities in our society. To break down these barriers, we are embedding equity and inclusion into everything we do.
We define equity as ensuring every community has the resources it needs to thrive in Boston. This requires the active process of meeting individuals where they are. Inclusion is engaging every resident to build a more welcoming and supportive city. We are building a city for everyone, where diversity makes us a more empowered collective.