OK, CIOs are getting laid off. So, are there CIO jobs available? Here's one at a major university. Two cautionary notes: You'll have to move to Ohio. And it's obviously a very demanding position.A blog I wrote about several CIOs I know who were separated recently from their places of employment brought about a flurry of commentary. A lot of respondents weren't surprised that CIOs were getting laid off. It comes with the territory, seemed to be a prevailing opinion. There were varying causal factors: incompetence, outsourcing, lack of respect for IT. One respondent even dredged up that old adage about what the acronym CIO really stands for: "Career Is Over."

However, another respondent was kind enough to send me the URL for a Web site connected to a CIO search currently being conducted at The Ohio State University (the "The" is important -- Buckeye fans will know what I'm talking about). This person was duly impressed with the requirements for such a demanding, high-level executive spot: "This position is a tough one, just read the job description!" he wrote.

Here is (part of) that description:

Due to the decentralized nature of IT across the University, the new CIO will need to understand the various IT systems and platforms distributed across colleges, departments, and administrative units around campus. It is critical that the CIO work with the various IT constituencies across the University to develop standards, policies and procedures throughout the System where they can most appropriately and economically be implemented. It is also imperative that protocols be put in place to ensure that OSU has world-class security around its data, infrastructure and servers. In addition, project management experience is important for the new CIO; for example, the University is planning to implement PeopleSoft's Student Information System in 2008 and is likely to continue to have such large-scale projects into the future.

And this:

The CIO is expected to establish and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with key businesses, academic and IT leaders across OSU, including a large Medical Center, as well as constituent groups like the IT Partnership Council.

According to the requirements list, the OSU CIO reports to the Executive VP/Provost (is that equivalent to the CFO or the COO?), and has eight direct reports, a full-time IT staff of 350, and a budget of $50 million.

Sound exciting? Or intimidating?

Do you know of any other CIO job openings? Comment below, or e-mail me at jsoat@cmp.com.