IT Specialist (Artificial Intelligence)

Job Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), OCTO Led Projects, Artificial Intelligence (AI). OCTO's mission is to direct the strategy, deployment, and management of DC Government technology with an unwavering commitment to IT excellence, efficiency, and value for government, residents, businesses and visitors. The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive project management for OCTO and other District agencies related to the development, implementation, and deployment of artificial intelligence and machine learning initiatives in support of improved government services, operational efficiency, and alignment with the District's AI Values. This position functions as the primary project manager responsible for managing critical Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) projects that advance the District's strategic technology objectives while ensuring strict alignment with Mayor's Order 2024-028 articulating the District of Columbia's Artificial Intelligence Values and Strategic Benchmarks.

Duties And Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, analyzes, evaluates, and controls AI/ML project implementation through application of standard project management principles, practices, and techniques adapted for emerging technology environments. Develops comprehensive project plans and schedules, estimates resources requirements (including data scientists, machine learning engineers, domain experts, and infrastructure teams), defines milestones and deliverables, and monitors activities and accomplishments. Evaluates and communicates project status to sponsors, IT management, agency leadership, and stakeholder groups, maintaining transparency regarding project progress, risks, and dependencies. Obtains appropriate approvals from IT management, agency leadership, and governance bodies responsible for AI oversight and compliance. Ensures that all issues are appropriately documented, tracked, and addressed with established escalation procedures. Ensures that individual project milestones are met and the overall project implementation is on time and within budget, including comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for all AI/ML initiatives and return on investment calculations. Identifies, evaluates, and documents "lessons learned" during and following project completion, establishing corrective action plans and contributing to organizational knowledge base around AI/ML implementation best practices. Manages risk assessment and mitigation strategies specific to AI/ML projects, including addressing algorithmic bias, model validation, data quality concerns, security and privacy issues, and regulatory compliance requirements, with particular focus on alignment with the District's six AI Values (Clear Benefit to Residents, Safety and Equity, Accountability, Transparency, Sustainability, and Privacy and Cybersecurity). Develops and maintains AI Values alignment documentation and assessments for each AI tool deployment, ensuring compliance with Mayor's Order 2024-028 governance requirements and supporting the District's AI Taskforce and Advisory Group on AI Values Alignment in oversight and evaluation activities.

Provides direction to and oversight of multidisciplinary project teams including coordination of data acquisition, data governance, model development, testing and validation, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance activities in a matrix environment. Develops and maintains dashboards and tracking systems for documenting project labor costs, infrastructure and computational resource procurement costs, model performance metrics, validation against original projections, and ongoing assessment of AI Values alignment throughout the project lifecycle. Ensures assigned projects maintain fiscal and operational solvency through long and short-term strategic planning, maintains compliance with District budgetary, operational, and AI governance policies, and reports on technology expenditures and outcomes. Leads and facilitates AI Values alignment reviews at project initiation and throughout deployment, ensuring each AI tool deployment clearly demonstrates benefit to residents, does not negatively impact safety and equity, preserves human accountability, incorporates transparency mechanisms, considers sustainability and workforce impacts, and protects privacy and cybersecurity. Establishes and nurtures positive working relationships with project stakeholders within OCTO, other District agencies, vendor partners, academic institutions, and community groups affected by AI implementation decisions. Facilitates cross-functional collaboration between technical teams, business units, ethics review committees, and compliance offices to ensure responsible AI development and deployment aligned with District values and regulatory requirements. Assumes accountability for project scope, timeline, budget, and resource allocation while serving as the primary subject matter expert and advocate for all interactions between end users, technical teams, data governance stakeholders, and AI/ML deployment teams. Serves as the critical bridge between non-technical government stakeholders and specialized AI/ML technical professionals, translating business requirements into technical specifications and ensuring responsible, ethical, and values-aligned implementation of AI systems across District government. Ensures every AI deployment integrates the District's six overarching AI Values—Clear Benefit to Residents, Safety and Equity, Accountability, Transparency, Sustainability, and Privacy and Cybersecurity—throughout the project lifecycle from initiation through post-deployment monitoring. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Education

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CS-13 grade level.

Licensures and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is sedentary. There are no special physical demands required to perform this job.This position is typically performed in a normal office environment and may involve frequent travel to District agency locations, internal and/or external partnering entities, and national forums etc., which will subject the incumbent to all kinds of weather, in a vehicle, and driving in heavy traffic.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-2210-14

Type of Appointment: Career Service – Regular Appointment

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not a part of a Collective Bargaining Unit

Essential/Emergency Designation: The incumbent may be required in essential or emergency situations or when authorized by the agency head to perform critical tasks.

Position Designation: The incumbent of this position is subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of D.C. Personnel Regulations, Suitability-Security Sensitive.

This position is classified as “security sensitive” due to the position’s duties and responsibilities.

Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Drug-Free Workplace: The District of Columbia government maintains a drug free work environment policy. All District employees are subject to post-accident/incident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

For more information regarding the District of Columbia, OCTO and additional benefits of employment, please see below:

www.dc.gov

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH55ctiReKs (Welcome video from Mayor Bowser)

https://octo.dc.gov/

https://dchr.dc.gov/page/employee-benefits

https://washington.org/