“This year’s Best Places to Work rankings represent companies across the industry that recognize how a strong commitment to and investment in employees is synonymous with creating a great IT work environment,” said Don Tennant, editor-in-chief of Computerworld.  “Once again, we found that IT professionals are looking for rewarding and challenging projects, access to leading-edge technologies, career growth and development and comfortable work/life balance. Our Best Places companies not only offer these benefits, but do so in a manner that goes well above industry norms.”

“This designation reflects on the entire organization,” Zito said, “as the bulk of the survey questions have to do with things that make the Miami-Dade County organization a great place to work: excellent benefits, leadership, training, and career opportunities.”

More than 600 employees work in the IT field for Miami-Dade.  During the last four years, Miami-Dade has focused a great deal of efforts in using technology to deliver services to its residents in the most efficient way.

“We’ve been making great strides in improving the way we assist our residents,” said Miami-Dade Government Information Center Director, Judi Zito.  “Adding new technologies enhancing the way we do business has opened up new jobs in the IT field and we are honored to be selected as one of the best places to work in this area.  It is truly significant for us.”

Recent IT projects include the development of a system supporting the computer-aided dispatch of 911 calls, a new Web portal -- www.miamidade.gov  -- and the county’s 311 Answer Center, which provides a single point of contact for information about county services.

“The idea is to have residents call one number and have someone assist them in a quick way,” said Miami-Dade manager George M. Burgess.  “Because it is a computerized system, staff can follow up on the progress of their request to ensure each resident gets their concern addressed.”