Principal Software Support Specialist

Special Requirements: Applicants for positions assigned to the Department of Information Technology Services must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check within the first six months of appointment and maintain CJIS eligibility. CJIS requirements are related to system access and the following list of convictions and/or deferred adjudications will result in failure of the CJIS background check and disqualification and/or termination of employment; Felony convictions, Felony deferred adjudication, Class A or B Misdemeanor deferred adjudication, Class A or B Misdemeanor convictions, and/or open arrest warrants for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and family violence convictions.

General Purpose

Under general direction, lead, oversee, and execute technical and project management of software applications across the organization, including managing the resolution of software application and system issues.

Typical Duties

Lead a team throughout the entire systems’ lifecycle. Involves: Design, code, test, implement, verify, validate and maintain software products.

Project planning and strategy. Involves: Consult with stakeholders, business analysts, and team members in the project planning process. Serve as a project manager in application support for complex systems. develop, document, communicate, and enforce technology policies. Coordinate projects and collaborate with IT, to ensure availability, reliability, and security of the applications to meet day-to-day business requirements.

Technical requirements and design. Involves: organize and document business and technical requirements. Create conceptual, functional, and technical design specifications to include data modeling. Design, develop, and plan for application interconnectivity.

Evaluation and selection. Involves: Conferring with various stakeholders to develop and analyze application packages and tools to determine optimum functionality requirements. Evaluate new application packages and tools. Recommend technical solutions and improvements to automated systems and business processes. Ensure that project products meet departmental needs.

Quality assurance. Involves: Create and automate test-cases for software applications. Research and implement best practices, business processes and procedures. Provide buy vs. build recommendations. Advise on system options, risk, cost vs. benefits, and impacts on business processes and goals. Work closely with IT leadership and IT programs to ensure all systems align with the IT long-term strategy.

Solution analysis: Involves: Evaluating applications and platforms and providing recommendations for system enhancements by conducting gap analysis, identifying feasible solutions and alternatives to improve efficiency, reliability, and performance. Participate on teams that outline the process and scope out the improvements that can be realized through the application solution.

Installation and deployment: May lead or oversee the deployment of new applications, modules, upgrades, integrations, and fixes. Preemptively recommends software updates and upgrades as needed. Mitigate risks, and understand data and cybersecurity guidelines, procedures, and policies. Manage and document assignments using established Information Technology (IT) systems. Actively manage customer satisfaction and provide timely updates on project and task progress. Repair and recover from software failures. Coordinate and communicate with management, IT programs and impacted customers.

User training. Involves: Promote effective use of information technology by educating users on system functionality. Works with user groups to develop and design manuals, web-enabled user guides and training documentation. Vendor support, monitor solution analysis, design, development, integration, delivery, and compliance. Develop reports and presentations for senior management, as needed. Provide technical guidance or business process expertise. Mentor and cross-train team members on existing and new technologies. Ensure procedures adhere to organizational goals and objectives. Assist supervisor with training new staff in established programming standards and procedures. Perform related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Processing or a related field and six (6) years of software support and analysis experience or an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Processing or a related field and ten (10) years of software support and analysis experience.

Licenses and Certificates: Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent issued by another state by time of appointment.

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