Software Development Manager

This position has significant ownership of the agency’s application environment. The Software Developer Manager sets technical direction, participates in application design and modernization, assigns and prioritizes work, and is responsible for the reliable operation of the systems supported by the development team.

The portfolio includes North Dakota’s technical communications with the FBI and other criminal justice partners for fingerprints, criminal history records, warrants, protection orders, and related information. It also includes applications that support the business and regulatory work of the Attorney General’s Office.

This is a good opportunity for an experienced developer or technical leader who wants to lead a capable team, remain involved in important technical decisions, and take ownership of systems that have a direct impact across North Dakota.

What We Offer:

Tools & Environment

Day-One Readiness: Walk into a fully equipped workspace with all the supplies, technology, and equipment you need to succeed immediately.

Premium Workspace: Enjoy a clean, safe, and dedicated professional office environment.

Convenient Commuting: Skip the stress with free, dedicated on-site parking.

Modern Break Amenities: Relax in our fully stocked with supplies (cutlery, plates, napkins, etc.) lunchroom featuring an ice machine and a dedicated vending area.

Our Culture & Community

In-Person Mentorship: Accelerate your career growth with direct, daily access to experienced leaders.

Integrated Culture Model: Work in a collaborative environment built on an integrated system that connects team members across departments.

Office Celebrations: We love to recognize milestones, birthdays, and achievements with regular team celebrations.

Fun Traditions: Participate in our weekly “Snack Week” rotations and casual Friday jeans days (supporting local charities through voluntary donations).

True Work-Life Balance: We respect your personal time while offering a vibrant office community that builds genuine connections beyond the standard 40-hour work week.

This position is an in-person position, located in Bismarck, North Dakota. All normal work hours will be conducted in person, in an office setting. No remote work or hybrid work is available.

Duties and Tasks

• Supervise and provide direction to application development staff and contractors.
• Assign and prioritize project work, application maintenance, modernization, and production support.
• Lead the analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, and support of agency applications.
• Set technical direction for application architecture, databases, integrations, security, development practices, and deployments.
• Work with agency divisions to understand their needs and develop practical technology solutions.
• Oversee integrations with the FBI, courts, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, vendors, and other external partners.
• Coordinate projects involving program staff, developers, contractors, vendors, and agency leadership.
• Lead the technical response to significant production issues.
• Establish standards for source control, code review, testing, documentation, deployment, and change management.
• Plan for application modernization, replacement, technical debt, staffing, licensing, and other long-term technology needs.
• Ensure applications comply with agency, state, federal, security, and confidentiality requirements.
• Support budgeting, procurement, vendor management, and contract administration as needed.

In addition to the monthly salary, this position includes fully paid health insurance for employee and family (with a wellness rider included), the option to participate in employee-paid dental and vision for employee and family, participation in the state NDPERS defined benefit retirement plan as well as the option to participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan, the option to contribute to a medical spending account, and earning annual leave and sick leave., Documents to be submitted:

• Resume
• Cover letter with a summary that clearly explains how the applicant’s work experience is related to the summary of work and minimum/preferred qualifications
• 3 Professional References
• College Transcripts (copies or unofficial versions are acceptable for the initial application process but when the top candidate is given a conditional employment offer, they are required to present official transcripts)

The North Dakota Office of Attorney General prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application and interview process to include responses to questions in which you must provide a narrative and/or verbal response. You must create your own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. While the North Dakota Office of Attorney General encourages you to create your narratives and interview responses with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, you are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT during the interview process. Any information you provide during the application and interview process is subject to verification. The North Dakota Office of Attorney General will discontinue your candidacy if we find you have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application and interview process.

All hiring decisions are subject to approval by the Attorney General. No offer of employment is final or binding until approved by the Attorney General.

1. Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer information systems, or another computer related field, and four years of required work experience as described below. Additional work experience, as described, may substitute for up to two years of the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

2. Two years of the required work experience must be within the last four years.

Experience must include:

• The full application development life cycle.
• Development or technical leadership using C#, .NET, Microsoft SQL Server, or similar enterprise technologies.
• Leading developers, technical projects, or major application initiatives.
• Supporting applications in a production environment.
• Communicating technical information to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

1. Preference will be given to applicants with the following (not required): * A degree with a major in computer science, computer information systems, or another computer related field * Supervising software developers or other technical staff. * Directing contractors or technology vendors. * C#, ASP.NET, .NET Framework, modern .NET, Razor, Blazor, JavaScript, or VB.NET. * Microsoft SQL Server, Entity Framework, stored procedures, database design, or SQL Server Reporting Services. * REST or SOAP services, message queues, NServiceBus, MSMQ, or other integration technologies. * Git, Azure DevOps, automated builds, testing, deployment, or release management. * Microsoft Entra ID, Active Directory, single sign-on, or identity and access management. * Modernizing or replacing legacy applications. * Project planning, requirements analysis, budgeting, procurement, or contract administration. * Government, criminal justice, law enforcement, laboratory, financial, gaming, regulatory, or other secure business environments. * CJIS, NCIC, FBI, NIST, or similar security and information-exchange requirements.

2. Must demonstrate: * The ability to lead technical staff and establish clear priorities and expectations. * Strong technical judgment and problem-solving skills. * The ability to manage several applications, projects, and operational needs at the same time. * The ability to explain technical issues and options clearly. * The ability to work effectively with agency staff, leadership, vendors, and external partners. * The ability to remain organized and provide direction during production issues. * Strong written and verbal communication skills. * The ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information.

3. Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks to determine knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform Software Developer I tasks., Applicants are screened based on qualifications, successful completion of the interview process and a background and criminal investigation. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The Office of Attorney General does not provide sponsorships.

Pulled from the full job description

• Loan forgiveness
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Free parking, “Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

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