Java Software Developer (Software Development Specialist 3)

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is seeking a Java Software Developer to modernize the ODJFS Hearings and Tracking Systems (HATS). These applications are crucial for legally mandated hearings, appeals processes, and critical program workflows across the state, ensuring program integrity, compliance, and reliable service delivery. This role involves refactoring legacy Java EE components and preparing the system for migration to a secure, scalable, cloud-based architecture aligned with State of Ohio Enterprise Architecture standards. The developer will work in a collaborative team environment, partnering with architects, security teams, and business stakeholders in a fast-paced, modernization-focused setting. The position requires balancing new development with stabilizing existing components to ensure continuity of operations, utilizing modern architectural patterns, containerization, API-driven design, cloud deployment models, and DevOps practices while managing a legacy system with monolithic modules, aged dependencies, and custom integrations.

Requirements

• 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 JAVA.
• 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 JAVA.
• 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 JAVA.
• OPTION 4: The equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree