Application Services Lead

Computer World Services Corp (CWS) is seeking a detail-oriented and results-driven Application Services Lead who is responsible for overseeing application operations, maintenance, and platform support services within the NIEHS Data Center and hybrid cloud environment. This role leads the management of hosted applications, software lifecycle processes, and platform services to ensure availability, performance, and compliance with Federal and NIH standards. The Application Services Lead provides technical leadership across application hosting environments, coordinates with development teams and stakeholders, and ensures the successful operation of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerings supporting NIEHS mission systems.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Application Operations & Maintenance

• Lead operations and maintenance (O&M) for all hosted applications within scope, including ColdFusion applications and supporting backend services
• Ensure continuous availability and performance of application environments (dev, test, staging, production)
• Manage application start/stop services, scheduling, and on-demand operational support
• Monitor system performance and coordinate resolution of application-related issues

Software Development & Engineering Oversight

• Analyze and study complex system and application requirements and translate them into technical solutions
• Design software tools, reusable components, and subsystems to support enterprise application services
• Apply formal software engineering methodologies including data flow diagrams, system modeling, and CASE tools
• Support application modernization efforts and integration with enterprise platforms using technologies including ColdFusion, PHP, and.NET

Software Lifecycle & Configuration Management

• Oversee software lifecycle processes including development, testing, deployment, and maintenance
• Supervise software configuration management (SCM), version control, and code repository compliance
• Ensure all application code is maintained in enterprise repositories in accordance with best practices
• Manage migration of software builds across environments (development through production)

Patch & Release Management

• Oversee application patching and updates in compliance with NIH/HHS policies
• Coordinate testing, validation, and deployment of patches and upgrades across supported platforms
• Monitor vendor release cycles and assess impact on application environments
• Ensure remediation of vulnerabilities and compliance with security requirements (e.g., CVSS thresholds)

Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as primary liaison between infrastructure teams, developers, and Government stakeholders
• Coordinate with system administrators, database administrators, and external contractors for deployments and maintenance activities
• Support impact analysis for infrastructure or platform changes affecting applications

Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Review existing programs and applications to refine functionality, reduce processing time, and improve efficiency
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and service improvement
• Support DevSecOps integration and CI/CD pipeline enhancements

Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain documentation for application environments, configurations, and processes
• Provide status reports on application health, patching, and deployment activities
• Track and report corrective, adaptive, and preventative maintenance activities

• Proficiency in ColdFusion, PHP, and.NET application frameworks
• Strong experience with Oracle databases and database-integrated applications
• Experience administering and supporting Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments
• Experience with application hosting environments (on-prem and/or cloud-based)
• Proficiency in software development methodologies, system design, and engineering best practices
• Experience with configuration management and version control systems (e.g., Git)
• Strong knowledge of patch and release management processes
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices

Required Tools & Platform Experience

• Hands-on experience with Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence) for workflow tracking, documentation, and collaboration
• Experience with Microsoft Office SharePoint for content management and collaboration
• Experience managing and supporting shared network directories and enterprise file systems
• Familiarity with enterprise ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow)

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting Federal or NIH environments
• Familiarity with hybrid cloud environments (e.g., Azure)
• Knowledge of containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience supporting Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) environments

Key Competencies

• Technical leadership and team coordination
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement
• Process improvement and operational efficiency focus
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a mission-critical environment

Education & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

Experience

• 5-8 years of experience in application services, software engineering, or application operations

• Experience supporting enterprise application hosting environments in a Data Center and/or hybrid cloud environment

• Demonstrated experience managing software lifecycle and configuration management processes

Security Clearance

• Applicants must be able to obtain a Public Trust clearance