IT Enterprise Applications Specialist / Developer

Responsible for the analysis, design, development, implementation, and integration of (and ongoing support for) major county-wide applications, and other software programs, including Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and custom applications. Plans, organizes, and guides the activities of IT’s application development, deployment, and integration efforts.  Responsible for the creation of specifications and documentation for complex programs.  Engages with county departments to determine their application needs. Develops new and/or modifies existing software and hardware systems to meet departments’ needs. Uses software development tools to write, test, maintain, and modify programs. Recommends implementation procedures and methods for the processing of county records, documents, and transactions. Manages data processing projects, project prioritization and scheduling, task definition and assignment, and also monitors project progress, quality review and control.

Benefits Information:

Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision (includes dependent coverage)
• VEBA/Health Retirement Account for those who qualify
• Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System
• Life Insurance 
• Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)
• Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Reasonable work hours

The County:

Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work. Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts. The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas.

1. Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
2. Act as a senior programmer/developer and technical analyst.
3. Support all applications (front and back-end) to ensure they function as needed.
4. Identify and accomplish integrations between multiple (sometimes disparate) programs, applications, and systems, using software development tools (including API’s, SDK’s, custom coding/scripting, etc.).
5. Take initiative to resolve difficult and complex challenges in a timely manner.
6. Research, evaluate and/or develop programs, enhancements, extensions and/or interfaces.
7. Participate in business and process analysis, working closely with IT Business Analyst where feasible.
8. Create technical design specifications, and research and establish technical standards, procedures and guidelines.
9. Mentor and coach other technical staff.
10. Act as project manager for development projects as needed/assigned.
11. Train county staff in application use and procedures.
12. Meet with stakeholders to identify software functionality needs, and translate those needs using standard software development tools into a working system that leverages existing software and hardware resources where feasible; and create new solutions where needed.
13. Prepare regular reports that detail solution testing and any ongoing adjustments.
14. Respond to requests for assistance with installed enterprise software solutions.
15. Attend and participate in department staff meetings, as well as meetings with other departments during project development, implementation, and troubleshooting.
16. Initiate and participate in continuing training to keep knowledge and skillsets up-to-date and relevant.
17. Design and implement data conversion procedures and test the results to retain data integrity.

Other Duties:

1. Perform other duties or projects as assigned by the IT Manager.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field, and five (5) years of experience as a Programmer Analyst or similar classification; OR, any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
2. Skilled and experienced developing systems and programs using any of the following: Visual Studio, C#, Java, .NET, or similar; and solid demonstrated database knowledge of Microsoft SQL.  
3. In-depth knowledge of current Microsoft products and development tools. 

1. Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, including empathetic listening. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county employees and those contacted in the course of work. Ability to effectively assist clients who have limited knowledge of technology and applications.  Excellent communication skills in order to convey information and ideas to a wide range and level of client users.
2. Maintain accurate records.  
3. Create and present effective oral and written proposals.   
4. Work effectively and constructively in a team environment, as well as work well independently.
5. Demonstrated ongoing effort to upgrade skills and abilities, and willingness to share information and expertise among the IT team and clients. Stay informed of trade/industry advances and new technologies, and analyze the potential application for the county.
6. Seek assistance and advice as needed. Perform quality work under strict time/date deadlines. Strong time management skills.
7. Analytical skills to assess and identify problems, develop corrective action, and develop logical/effective solutions.
8. Ability to take an assignment from inception to completion with minimum supervision, including ability to mitigate problems and find solutions through project/assignment ownership. Internal drive to do what it takes to get the job done, including taking on different roles and responsibilities and adapting to changing environments.
9. Ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.

Preferred Experience/Skills/Abilities:

1. Highly preferred technical competency in the following areas: SQL, PeopleSoft 9.2(or higher)/PeopleTools, C#, Microsoft .NET, Java, HTML5, Python, OnBase, Laserfiche, and mobile delivery platforms.
2. Experience using programming code that adheres to best practices for readability, reliability and performance, including in-code annotation.
3. Ability to excel in a collaborative team-oriented work environment.
4. Superior attention to detail, critical thinking, troubleshooting, problem solving and organizational skills

Salary : $96,180 - $113,136