Agency Application Architect

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

38d•$77,010 - $108,107•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) Office of Information Technology (MaineIT) provides information technology support to over 13,000 employees. MaineIT oversees large scale enterprise applications that support the critical and diverse business needs of the State of Maine and its agencies. MaineIT is seeking a highly talented individual who will represent our C.A.R.E. values in all that they do. At MaineIT we: Practice Customer-focus, ensuring that our customers are heard, and their needs are met. Hold ourselves to a high level of Accountability by being transparent with our stakeholders. Maintain an effective level of Responsiveness by providing timely updates in a proactive manner. Strive to provide Empathy driven, people-focused services by applying emotional intelligence skills and behaviors. The Agency Application Architect will play a key role in communication and facilitation between Program Partners, Vendors, DAFS IT Procurement, and the Office of Information Technology. This position will support applications ranging in size from client-based systems to enterprise-wide data management systems. This position will also support our internal Vendor Management Team with process documentation. This role involves advanced technical services work, focusing on the architecture, design, development, and management of highly complex computer systems. The position is primarily responsible for overseeing vendor-managed applications, ensuring compliance with IT policies, and supporting MaineIT team members.

Requirements

Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving - Ability to assess complex business challenges and design innovative technology solutions.
Technical Leadership & Decision-Making - Strong leadership in guiding teams, ability to influence technicians and guide implementation on recommended architectural decisions. executives.
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement - Ability to translate technical concepts into business language for executives and non-technical audiences.
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Teamwork - Experience working with IT teams, business leaders, and external vendors to drive successful initiatives, resolve challenges and ensure best practices are deployed.
Risk Assessment & Management - Ability to evaluate technology risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
Process Improvement & Optimization - Expertise in improving IT operations and aligning technology investments with business objectives.
Expertise in reviewing, advising, and negotiating IT contracts, including the creation, review, and approval of RFPs, amendments and SOWs
Assist in solution documentation, architecture diagrams and technical specifications.
Manage Complexity - Navigate large-scale enterprise IT environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
Developing and maintaining architectural designs for complex systems, including data and integration points, to support strategic goals and meet MaineIT standards.
Ensuring systems align with the Enterprise Architecture roadmap and maintain compliance with legal, regulatory, and security standards.
Formulating and implementing effective solutions considering system capacity, limitations, time requirements, and desired results in order to resolve system problems and prevent recurrence
Utilizing a ticketing system for tracking incidents and monitoring for resolution
Working closely with all functional areas of an IT organization
Developing productive business relationships with vendors, technical support staff, and agency leaders
Expertise in integrating diverse systems and ensuring seamless interoperability. This includes leveraging APIs, middleware, and data integration tools to create cohesive and efficient workflows across various platforms and applications.
Acted as a key member of the enterprise architecture team, providing solution architecture expertise for the DHHS application. This involved designing, implementing, and optimizing technology solutions to align with MaineIT's broader Enterprise Architecture framework while meeting the strategic and business objectives of the Department of Health and Human Services
Seven (7) years of applications programming and/or analysis experience -OR- a Bachelors Degree in a directly related field and 3 years of applications programming and/or analysis experience -OR- a Masters Degree in directly related field and 1 year of applications programming and/or analysis experience

Responsibilities

Lead the design and oversee the implementation, migration strategies, and optimization of technology solutions to align with MaineIT's Enterprise Architecture framework and the State's strategic objectives.
Drive system and process improvements, ensuring scalability, security, compliance, and high-performance solutions.
Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions, facilitating communication among technical teams, vendors, and business users.
Provide technical leadership in system integrations, cloud computing, and application design, ensuring future-proof and cost-effective technology investments.
Evaluate emerging technologies, assess risks, and recommend innovations that enhance operational efficiency and align with MaineIT policies0
Advise IT and business stakeholders on developing technology RFPs, contracts, amendments, and statements of work. Participate in vetting these procurement instruments and evaluating technology solutions based on MaineIT and regulatory compliance standards.
Actively participate in technology governance initiatives and technology communities of practice.
Participate in the MaineIT Architectural Review Board.
Ensure compliance with IT policies for vendor-managed applications, supporting staff in holding vendors accountable to security and accessibility requirements.
Apply advanced architectural analysis skills to design and/or evaluate solutions to complex business problems through automation technology and process improvement.
Frequently partner with technical staff to refine work.

Benefits

Hybrid Work Opportunity - The employee in this position currently has the opportunity to work from home as much as 90% of the time.
You will be a member of a highly productive technical team working closely with program partners to ensure effective and secure technical solutions for business problems.
You will have the opportunity to work in a small, independent, and flexible team environment.
You will help resolve technical issues to provide system functionality and data integration.
You will experience new and different challenges on an ongoing basis.
You will have opportunities for training and career development.
Work-Life Balance - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
Health Insurance Premium Credit - Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
Dental Insurance - The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan - The State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement - Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts - Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness - The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
Living Resources Program - Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child-including fathers and adoptive parents-receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation - Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.