Director of IT at Orangewood Foundation – Santa Ana, California

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Director of IT

Employment Classification: Full-Time; Salary; Exempt

Reports to: Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Department: Information Technology

Position Summary:

The Director of IT is responsible for Orangewood and Samueli Academy’s IT operations and strategy. They will develop a deep understanding of the organization’s current technology and business goals in order to build strategies. The Director of IT will build and maintain strong partnerships, rapport, and collaborate with all members of the organization’s team to understand, identify, and define their needs in supporting their operations.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

On-going systems support and maintenance:

• Responsible for the comprehensive IT environment of the entire organization, which includes 7 locations and ~250 staff members and ~825 students.
• Responsible for the consistent, reliable operations of the following IT and business processes:

1. Internal wired and wireless networks
2. Unified Communication Systems
3. End User Devices
4. Building security systems
5. Websites
6. Server infrastructure
7. SaaS platforms

• Respond to client calls regarding systems integrity issues and determine the most appropriate resolutions of the issue.
• Manage IT vendors for on time delivery of projects and issues.
• Provide training for end users/staff members.

Systems implementation, projects, and application development:

• Define, analyze, and document business requirements to come up with technology solutions/alternatives; communicate with users on solutions, project scope, implementation timeline, budget, and trainings; develop functional software and hardware requirements for new processes or process enhancement.
• Communicate and coordinate with client groups to assess their needs and develop and implement application changes; coordinate with vendors to implement various production fixes, application enhancements and manage vendor delivery of those items.
• Responsible for the design and implementation of the IT environment associated with the Samueli Academy campus and any future expansion at new sites.

Staff Development:

• Develop staff through effective direction, training, and performance management.
• Participate as an active member of the organization’s Leadership Team meetings.
• Provide formal and informal performance evaluation and coaching for staff.

Departmental administration:

• Review and approve vendor invoices; address any invoice disputes.
• Review and manage purchase requisitions and vendor contracts.
• Ensure the organization’s IT budget is managed effectively.
• Manage IT department staff.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• Experience with Windows Active Directory and EntraID preferred.
• Experience with Google for Education preferred.
• Experience administering Office 365.
• Experience with wired and wireless network management.
• Experience with cybersecurity technologies including firewalls, SASE, MFA.
• Familiarity with nonprofit specific software like Blackbaud and Apricot360 preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage large capital projects, including budget, development, and implementation preferred.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to work in a team environment, give honest, direct feedback and be a solid verbal and written communicator.
• Meet deadlines, prioritize appropriately, cope well with change, and maintain composure under pressure.
• Strong project management skills: ability to reprioritize projects frequently
• Detail oriented and organized; ability to multitask.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Independent, self-motivated, team player.
• Able to effectively communicate with all levels of staff and leadership.
• Must be available for off-hours support.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and strong commitment to the organization’s mission and vision.
• Exemplifies organizational core values of trust, respect, and compassion.
• Ability to work with a variety of constituents in a courteous professional manner.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

• Primarily an office job. Occasional driving to meetings/trainings (must possess a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance).
• Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting up to approximately 50 lbs.
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA
• Delta Dental
• Vision (EyeMed Network)
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance
• 403b with company match
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
• 13 Company Paid Holidays

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.