Leadership at Seattle IT felt the move aligned more with the entity’s new focus of "best-in-class digital service delivery team," spokeswoman Megan Erb said.
Chief Technology Officer Saad Bashir, in a prepared statement, likened the restructuring to the way technology evolves.
“All changes reflect the feedback of IT colleagues and our client departments to pivot the department into an agile, outcome-driven, and client-centric organization,” Bashir said. “More than ever, the City of Seattle is looking towards technology to drive operational improvements and to deliver services for the residents of Seattle and we will make it our mission to be there as a true partner.”
Erb said the elimination of the 14 positions, which included directors and middle managers, was a result of the realignment of resources and structure at the department.
She said Seattle IT has several new positions, including director-level jobs, available and there will be more job opportunities in the coming weeks. She said the dismissed employees are eligible to apply for the new positions.
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan nominated Bashir, the former chief information officer for Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, as Seattle’s CTO in January. Bashir, at the time, said he would explore options to reduce red tape and simplify IT structures and processes within Seattle IT.
Bashir oversees a budget of about $277 million and around 680 employees.
