IT App Development Manager

Description

The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Visit our website at: www.sos.wa.gov.

Duties

Leads and Manages Technology Professionals
Tasks include:

• Provides direct supervision of application developers, Data base administrators and SDETs, establishing position objectives and expectations.
• Engages staff in collaborative review and finalization of long-term objectives.
• Evaluates position descriptions, staff expectations and evaluations with supervised personnel.
• Mentors, trains, coaches, counsels, and motivates staff to achieve consistently high performance.
• Ensures that supervised staff have the information, resources, and authority to complete assignments and meet documented expectations.
• Recognizes staff accomplishments that meet division goals.
• Analyzes staff performance against position requirements, applicable policies as well as section standards and practices imposing corrective or disciplinary action when required.
• Communicates division and agency direction and priorities to staff, seeking input and feedback.
• Seeks input from staff, colleagues, and subject matter experts during the analysis of solutions that affect staff roles and responsibilities.
• Cultivates a learning environment to expand staff skills and abilities; design and support training and cross- training plans, ensuring that OSOS remains a center of excellence and that there are no single points of failure.
• Fosters a culture of continuous process improvement that leverages problem-solving methodologies.
• Manages internal workgroups (CCFS, CFD, Digital Archives, and Public websites).
• Plans for yearly budget cycles through assessments of unit and staff needs related to hardware, software, supplies, and staff resources.
• Manages other App Development teams.

• Manages the implementation of technical designs and standards for application development and application support.
• Ensures life cycle management standards are designed, documented, communicated, and updated on a regular basis.
• Defines operational procedures to best support the agency's technical needs remaining in alignment with agency's strategic plan.
• Utilizes subject matter expertise and advanced research skills to conduct and document cost, benefit and risk analysis for proposed projects, modifications, acquisitions, policies and/or legislation in a timely manner.
• Develops, updates, monitors, communicates and enforces application management, IT investment and other operational policies and procedures
• Organizes and negotiates the allocation of IT resources to ensure the timely delivery of service and identified expectations of the outcome of the project.
• Coordinates efforts to provide technology solutions using best practices, principles of established enterprise architecture and applicable industry standards.
• Manages the processing of incoming project and work requests to ensure courteous, timely, and effective resolution.
• Collaborates with customers and colleagues to identify and document performance goals required to meet service levels expectations for application and data management needs.
• Prepares budget proposals and operational expenditure statements. Research solutions by utilizing available resources such as other state agencies, vendor whitepapers, or companies that analyze these to make a recommendation with the fiscal request.
• Manages and sets priorities for the design, maintenance, development, and evaluation of all applications and data management systems.
• Leads the design, documentation and implementation of technical designs and standards for applications development and data management; ensure that designs meet security and architectural industry standards.
• Ensures life cycle management standards are documented, communicated, enforced and updated on a regular basis.
• Ensures that data is identified and managed according to state and industry security standards.
• Ensures all data is secure and meets state, agency, and NIST guidelines.
• Supports requirements-based design by ensuring that end-user and stakeholder business, functional and technical requirements drive development.

• Serves as the point of escalation for staff and customers to resolve technical problems related to application development, application support, systems analysis, and software quality assurance.
• Maintains productive relationships with internal customers, vendors and key stakeholders in order to anticipate and meet service expectations.
• Develops and maintains development standards that include accessibility, responsive design, and data security.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to identify business needs and define systems requirements for new or modified technology solutions.
• Analyzes existing procedures and technologies to make best-practice recommendations.
• Identifies, recommends, develops, and implements end user training programs to increase software literacy and self- sufficiency.
• Oversees development and dissemination of knowledge base documentation, usage guides, and FAQ lists for end users.

• Conducts research on emerging products, services, protocols, and standards in business objectives. This research will include usability requirements by business owners and performance metrics needed to run software applications the agency utilizes to fulfil their service delivery requirements.
• Coordinates with contracts, procurement, customers and colleagues in the acquisition and maintenance of technologies.
• Develops requirements to inform statements of work, assisting in the development of procurement documents and analyzing submitted vendor proposals.
• Serves as contract manager for application development support related contracts.
• Monitors assigned contracts, ensuring that adequate time is given to analyze the need to continue contracts or to replace existing contracted services with new solutions.
• Monitors and evaluates deliverables submitted by vendors.

• Works with staff to ensure efficiencies are gained to best use technical resources.
• Works with vendors, stakeholders, office staff, partner agencies, and management on business process to meet agency needs using applications supported by this position.
• Works with management to advise on future legislation to assist in technical design of future business processes.
• Manages and allocates staff resources to work on and manage projects in priority.

• Stays current with new/emerging technologies and/or systems.
• Participates in required and other job related training.
• Remains current with RCW, WAC changes and new laws, policies, etc. that are applicable to job duties.
• Provides cross training to fellow team members.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Total of ten years of software development experience leading up to architecture-related development. Applications development experience includes designing, developing and maintaining applications using industry standard tools and development languages. Developing, designing, and maintaining databases using MS SQL or related relational database tools and software.
  • OR An associate’s degree in technology or related field with seven years of Information Technology experience*.
  • OR A bachelor’s degree in technology or related field with five years of Information Technology experience*.
  • OR A master’s degree in technology or related field with three years of Information Technology experience*.
  • OR any combination of education and experience that is equal to 10 years. (Education is credited towards experience on a year for year basis)
• At least four years must be at the senior level working on a complex or multi-functional computing system that impacts organization-wide; particularly in the development of large-scale applications, including independent problem solving and complex issue.
• At least one year of experience in a lead or supervisory role for any job industry.

Information Technology Experience*is the progressive technical expertise of enterprise solution design and engineering in any of the following functional & technical IT domain areas:

• Software development & engineering (web, mobile, desktop, and embedded systems).
• Cybersecurity (network, asset, risk)
• Cloud computing & DevOps: (cloud architecture, management, and workflow automation)
• Data Science, AI & Analytics (big data, machine learning, data mining, and AI systems)
• Network administration (design and support)
• Quality Assurance (QA testing for failures, missed features and quality)
• Database Administration (managing and securing data stores, tuning & optimization)
• Emerging Tech

• Experience in developing applications in the Microsoft .Net environment.
• Knowledge of database structures and dataflow.
• Network architecture and technical system communication.
• Experience working directly with stakeholders of applications.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions
The role necessitates an individual who can function effectively both independently and as part of a team. It demands the ability to excel under pressure in order to meet stringent deadlines. The candidate must demonstrate adaptability within the rapidly evolving realm of web development, particularly with regards to website security. Thoroughness and precision in task execution are paramount, as is the capability to manage multiple tasks concurrently. Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills, directed towards both internal and external stakeholders, is a fundamental requirement. The standard work hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. However, there is an expectation of availability beyond these hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly during unforeseen emergencies. The role includes the physical ability to handle objects weighing up to 50 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation. Additionally, readiness to travel to different office locations within the state on short notice is essential. The work environment is predominantly office-based, involving prolonged periods of sitting and extensive utilization of the keyboard. Remote work is allowed per office policy; however, you must be in the office full time for the six-month trial services/probationary period and three days in person (50% of time) after that.

Special Requirements

• This position is in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, The Office of the Secretary of State, and the WFSE.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  

• Required: To be considered for this position you must attach the following:
  • Letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the duties and qualifications of the position.
  • Current resume
  • Three Professional references. Personal references will not be considered.
• You must complete the supplemental questions at the end of this application. Incomplete responses such as "see resume" will not be considered.
• All veterans must include a copy of your DD214 to receive preference in the hiring process. You must black out your social security number before attaching it to your application.