IT App Development Manager

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.

The Division of Information Technology (IT) ensures that all technology systems within OSOS business programs run smoothly, securely, and efficiently. We are the strategic partner in driving business goals, improving operational efficiency, and safeguarding critical data and systems. IT is deeply involved in ensuring the seamless flow of information, providing scalability and innovation, handling everything from hardware, software and tools to complex systems delivering valuable customer experience.

IT Application Development ManagerPermanent, Full-Time
This position leads teams of technology professionals, and ensures that critical business applications are designed, developed, secured and maintained in order to support the execution of the agency's mission. The Application Development and Data Manager plans, coordinates, and supervises all activities related to application development, database management, configuration and support. Responsibilities include managing IT professionals, maintaining appropriate technology standards, executing policy managing technology contracts. This position provides high level professional consultation services to all levels of agency staff, including executive management. The position is responsible for development of quality standards, performance management and the efficient operations of critical applications. This position manages internal workgroups (CCFS, CFD & Public/Staff websites and Digital Archives). Each workgroup is responsible for maintenance and development of critical services for the divisions. This position works closely with the program managers, division directors, front-line staff and customers to elicit customer service needs and to communicate service changes and issues.Leads and Manages Technology Professionals
Tasks include:

• Provides direct supervision of application developers, Data base administrators and SDETs, establishing position objectives and expectations.
• Engagesstaffincollaborativereviewandfinalization oflong-termobjectives.
• Evaluatespositiondescriptions,staffexpectationsandevaluationswithsupervisedpersonnel.
• Mentors,trains,coaches,counsels,andmotivatesstafftoachieveconsistentlyhighperformance.
• Ensures thatsupervisedstaffhavetheinformation, resources, andauthoritytocompleteassignments andmeet documented expectations.
• Recognizesstaffaccomplishmentsthatmeetdivisiongoals.
• Analyzesstaffperformance against positionrequirements,applicable policies aswellassection standards and practices imposing corrective or disciplinary action when required.
• Communicatesdivisionandagencydirectionandprioritiestostaff,seekinginputandfeedback.
• Seeksinputfromstaff,colleagues, andsubject matterexpertsduringtheanalysisofsolutions thataffectstaff roles and responsibilities.
• Cultivates alearning environment toexpand staff skills and abilities; design and support training and cross- training plans,ensuring thatOSOSremainsacenter ofexcellence andthattherearenosingle points offailure.
• Fostersacultureofcontinuousprocessimprovementthatleveragesproblem-solvingmethodologies.
• Managesinternalworkgroups(CCFS,CFD,DigitalArchives,andPublicwebsites).
• Plansforyearly budgetcyclesthrough assessments ofunitand staff needsrelated tohardware,software, supplies, and staff resources.
• Manages other App Development teams.

Manages Operational Standards and Implement Architectural Standards
Tasks include:

• Manages theimplementationoftechnical designsandstandards forapplication development andapplication support.
• Ensures life cycle management standards are designed, documented, communicated, and updated on a regular basis.
• Defines operationalprocedurestobestsupport theagency'stechnical needsremaining inalignment 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.
• Coordinateseffortstoprovidetechnology solutionsusingbestpractices,principles ofestablishedenterprise architecture and applicable industry standards.
• Managestheprocessing ofincoming project andworkrequeststoensurecourteous, timely, andeffective resolution.
• Collaborates withcustomers andcolleaguestoidentifyanddocument performance goalsrequiredtomeet service levels expectations for application anddata 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.
• Managesandsetspriorities forthedesign,maintenance, development,andevaluation ofallapplications 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 thatdataisidentifiedandmanagedaccordingtostateandindustrysecuritystandards.
• 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.

Provides Expert Consultation to Staff, Customers and Executive Management
Tasks include:

• Serves asthepointofescalation forstaffandcustomers toresolvetechnical problems relatedtoapplication 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.
• Developsandmaintainsdevelopmentstandardsthatincludeaccessibility,responsivedesign,anddatasecurity.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to identify business needs and define systems requirements for new or modified technology solutions.
• Analyzesexistingproceduresandtechnologiestomakebest-practicerecommendations.
• 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.

Acquisition and Vendor Management
Tasks include:

• Conducts research onemerging products, services, protocols, and standards in business objectives. This researchwillincludeusabilityrequirements bybusiness ownersandperformance metricsneededtorunsoftware applications the agency utilizes to fulfil their service delivery requirements.
• Coordinates withcontracts, procurement, customersandcolleagues intheacquisitionandmaintenanceof technologies.
• Developsrequirements toinformstatements ofwork,assistinginthedevelopmentofprocurementdocuments and analyzing submitted vendor proposals.
• Servesascontractmanagerforapplicationdevelopmentsupportrelatedcontracts.
• 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.

Develops new methods and processes for business users
Tasks include:

• Workswithstafftoensureefficiencies aregainedtobestusetechnicalresources.
• Workswithvendors,stakeholders, officestaff,partneragencies, andmanagement onbusinessprocesstomeet 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.

Increase knowledge and skills related to technologies and systems
Tasks include:

• Stays current with new/emerging technologies and/or systems.
• Participatesinrequiredandotherjobrelatedtraining.
• RemainscurrentwithRCW,WACchangesandnewlaws,policies, etc.thatareapplicabletojobduties.
• Provides cross training to fellow team members.

Required Qualifications:

• Total oftenyears 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.
  • ORAn associate’s degree in technology or related field with seven years of Information Technology experience*.
  • ORA bachelor’s degree in technology or related field with five years of Information Technology experience*.
  • ORA master’s degree in technology or related field with three years of Information Technology experience*.
  • ORany combination of education and experience that is equal to 10 years. (Education is credited towards experience on a year for year basis)
• At least fouryears 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

PLEASE READ: If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that members of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities, specifically women and people of color, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they clearly meet every single qualification. At the Office of the Secretary of State, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic work force with a foundation of belonging. If you are excited about this role and have relevant experience and skills, but question whether your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply regardless. You may just be the ideal candidate this office needs.

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 thekeyboard.Remote work is allowed per office policy; however, you must be in the officefull 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.
  

How to Apply

• Required:To be considered for this position you must attach the following:
  • Letter of interestdescribing 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.

The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We do not discriminate on the basis of religion, age, gender, marital status, color, creed, national origin, political affiliation, military status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any sensory, mental or physical ability. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing the announcement in alternative format, should call(360) 704-5211.