Java Software Developer (Software Development Specialist 3)
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
As a Java Software Developer, you will be a key technical contributor in modernizing the ODJFS Hearings and Tracking Systems (HATS). These applications directly support legally mandated hearings, appeals processes, and critical program workflows across the state. The work you do will help ensure program integrity, compliance with state and federal regulations, and reliable service delivery to Ohioans.
This role centers on refactoring legacy Java EE components and preparing the system for migration to secure, scalable, cloud-based architecture aligned with State of Ohio Enterprise Architecture standards. You'll work within a small, collaborative team of Java EE developers and partner closely with architects, security teams, and business stakeholders. The environment is fast-moving, modernization-focused, and requires balancing new development with stabilizing existing components to support continuity of operations.
Expect to work with modern architectural patterns, containerization, API-driven design, cloud deployment models, and DevOps practices while also navigating the complexities of a large legacy system that contains monolithic modules, aged dependencies, and custom integrations.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Working as part of a small, supportive team of Java/Jakarta EE developers responsible for modernizing the HATS application suite.
- Refactoring legacy modules to align with State of Ohio Enterprise Architecture standards, including cloud readiness, security compliance, logging, monitoring, and identity management requirements.
- Supporting the full software development lifecycle: analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, documentation, and ongoing maintenance.
- Contributing to PMO-required technical deliverables including architecture documentation, technical design specifications, refactoring plans, dependency assessments, and modernization work packages.
- Developing and optimizing secure RESTful APIs, integration endpoints, and service layers to support responsive, accessible front-end experiences.
- Building proof-of-concept prototypes for cloud deployment and helping guide containerization and adoption of modern deployment patterns.
- Stabilizing existing legacy modules by decomposing monolithic components, resolving technical debt, improving performance, and ensuring business continuity during modernization.
- Participating in quality assurance activities, performance testing, defect remediation, and technical risk mitigation.
- Supporting DevOps practices and automated deployment pipelines to streamline the migration process., Location: This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS Facility in one of the following cities - Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant's home address.
Requirements
The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following:
OPTION 1
- 60 months combined work experience in any combination of the following: assuring requirements are defined and approved, performing code reviews and ensuring application development standards are met;
- AND 12 months work experience in the primary technology specified by the agency in the position description & job posting (.NET).
OPTION 2
- Completion of associate core program in computer science or information systems;
- AND 42 months combined work experience in any combination of the following: assuring requirements are defined and approved, performing code reviews and ensuring application development standards are met;
- AND 12 months work experience in the primary technology specified by the agency in the position description & job posting (.NET).
OPTION 3
- Completion of undergraduate core program in computer science or information systems;
- AND 36 months combined work experience in any combination of the following: assuring requirements are defined and approved, performing code reviews and ensuring application development standards are met;
- AND 12 months work experience in the primary technology specified by the agency in the position description & job posting (.NET).
OPTION 4
- The equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.
Benefits & conditions
Pulled from the full job description
- Loan forgiveness
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid holidays, At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation), This position is in the State of Ohio's OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 35. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $41.81 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below. Pay Range 35, $41.81
$43.90
$46.00
$48.28
$50.66
$53.13
$55.72
$58.55
$61.49 Annual
$86,965
$91,312
$95,680
$100,422
$105,373
$110,510
$115,898
$121,784
$127,899 Months of Employment
At Hire
6 Months
18 Months
30 Months
42 Months
54 Months
66 Months
78 Months
90 Months Supplemental Information
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