Description

North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of local governments serving the North Central Texas region. The Information and Innovation Services (IIS) Department delivers secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions that support regional planning, operational excellence, and public sector collaboration.

The Innovation Analyst II works with departments across the Agency to identify challenges and evaluate technology solutions that improve processes, services, and operational efficiency. This role focuses on researching emerging technologies, developing prototypes or proof-of-concept solutions, and helping translate ideas into practical technology implementations.
The position regularly engages with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, analyze opportunities for improvement, and recommend solutions using modern technologies such as automation platforms, software-as-a-service solutions, and artificial intelligence tools.

This role requires general technical skills, strong analytical thinking, curiosity about emerging technologies, and the ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Research & Innovation

• Research and evaluate emerging technologies that may improve agency operations, services, or internal processes.
• Monitor trends in enterprise technology, automation platforms, and artificial intelligence.
• Identify opportunities where technology solutions can increase efficiency, effectiveness, or service delivery.

Business Analysis & Solution Development

• Meet with internal customers to understand operational challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze business processes and document functional requirements.
• Recommend innovative technology solutions that align with organizational needs and technical standards.

Prototyping & Technology Evaluation

• Develop demonstrations, prototypes, or proof-of-concept solutions to illustrate potential technology capabilities.
• Assist with pilot implementations and evaluation of new technologies or platforms.
• Work with development and IT teams to transition successful prototypes into production solutions when appropriate.

Project Management & Change Management

• Plan, coordinate, and support innovation initiatives and technology pilot projects from concept through implementation.
• Coordinate with internal teams, stakeholders, and vendors to ensure successful delivery of pilot projects and solution implementations.
• Support organizational change management efforts by helping stakeholders understand, adopt, and effectively use new technologies and processes.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations that communicate findings and proposed solutions.
• Facilitate meetings and discussions with stakeholders to gather input and refine solutions.
• Develop documentation, demonstrations, or training materials that support adoption of new technologies.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business challenges into practical technology solutions.
• Curiosity and interest in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, automation platforms, and modern software tools.
• Basic understanding of software development practices and processes.
• Experience developing solutions using AI-assisted development tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, or similar technologies.
• Experience building prototypes, automations, or workflows using modern development frameworks, scripting languages, or low-code platforms.
• Technical experience working in enterprise technology environments, particularly with Microsoft technologies and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
• Experience evaluating or implementing software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.
• Ability to analyze business processes and identify opportunities where technology can improve efficiency, effectiveness, or service delivery.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Applicants are encouraged to share examples of projects, prototypes, or solutions they have built, especially those involving automation, artificial intelligence tools, or innovative uses of technology.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business administration, public administration, or a related field and at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience in a technical, analytical, or business systems environment.
• Candidates without a bachelor’s degree may be considered with nine (9) years of relevant professional experience in a technical, analytical, or business systems environment.
• Experience may include work related to business analysis, technology evaluation, automation, software solutions, or other technology-focused roles.

Starting Salary
Salary Range: **$78,713 – $102,328 annually**, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits:

We offer a highly competitive package of many desirable benefits to our full-time employees including: 

Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

We provide an outstanding package of health, dental, vision and life benefits for employees, with the monthly premium paid by NCTCOG 100%. Coverage available for their families and those monthly premiums are shared with NCTCOG. We provide employees with life insurance coverage that is employer paid with a benefit of 2 times the employee’s annual salary. 
Paid Leave Paid vacation, sick leave, and personal days are provided as part of the benefit plan, as well as specified holidays. This position also includes a phone allowance. 

Retirement

NCTCOG participates in a defined contribution plan as an alternative to Social Security. The defined contribution retirement plan provides retirement benefits for all eligible employees. NCTCOG contributes twelve percent (12%) of permanent full-time employees' gross salaries. Participating employees contribute six percent (6%) of gross salary. An employee becomes forty percent (40%) vested in NCTCOG's contributions after three full years of employment. An additional fifteen percent {15%) is vested for each additional year of employment. An employee becomes fully vested after seven years of employment. 

Work/Life Balance Programs

To help employees and their families meet personal and professional challenges, NCTCOG provides an employee assistance program, prepaid legal services, lunch and learn seminars, alternate work schedules, alternate commute programs, and an on-site gym. 

Professional Development

NCTCOG is committed to professional development and provides a wide range of training opportunities-both online and traditional classroom sessions. It covers applicable professional development expenses, professional memberships, and licenses, as well as tuition reimbursement 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

NCTCOG is an equal opportunity employer/program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other classifications covered under federal, state, or local laws. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Background Check & Drug Testing:

All selected candidates must undergo a pre-employment background check and drug screening. Background checks include national criminal background check, employment history, motor vehicle record check, social security verification, education verification, and other elements as needed. NCTCOG is committed to a safe and drug free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. All new hires are required to undergo a drug test which detects the presence of illegal drugs for months prior to testing. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping NCTCOG safe and drug free. In order to receive an offer of employment from NCTCOG, selected candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment background check and drug screening.

E-Verify:

The North Central Texas Council of Governments participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

Job postings are kept open for a minimum of 10 calendar days and may close anytime thereafter at the discretion of the hiring manager.