Lead Application Developer

State of Iowa•Des Moines - 50309 - Polk County, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology (DOM-DoIT) is seeking a highly skilled Information Technology Specialist 5 (ITS5) to lead the design, development, optimization, and support of software solutions that deliver statewide services. This position is pivotal in ensuring technical excellence, adherence to enterprise standards, and the delivery of secure, scalable, and maintainable systems. The ITS5 will collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior staff, and drive innovation through the adoption of emerging technologies and best practices.

Requirements

Strong technical proficiency in software development, accessibility for applications for government and UI/UX (e.g. .Net, Angular, C#, SQL, HTML5, Visual Studio, SASS, Figma, Design Systems, USWDS)
Experience with CI/CD, DevSecOps, and enterprise testing standards
Ability to lead and mentor junior staff, and collaborate with diverse teams
Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508, Title I & II), user experience design, and research principles
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Experience with user experience research tools & methods (e.g. heat maps, behavioral flows, Google analytics, A/B testing)
Experience with accessibility testing tools (e.g. Jaws, NVDA, Browser Stack, Wave, manual testing)
Must complete the free accessibility DHS Trusted Tester Certification prior to starting
Strategic mindset focused on continuous improvement and risk management
Must pass DOM background check and reside in Iowa (will consider applicants moving to Iowa within 2 weeks of offer)
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the HTML syntax and basic language components.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in computer science, computer applications, software engineering, computer engineering, management information systems, business analytics, or cyber security, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security.
Three years of full-time work experience in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security; and a total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
Five years of full-time work experience in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security; and either of the following: Certification from an authorized educational institution/major computer or software producer in one or more of the specialty areas listed in part a; or Eighteen semester hours from an accredited college or university in one or more of the specialty areas listed in part a.
Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes six months of full--ime work as an Information Technology Specialist 4.

Nice To Haves

AI Engineering
SQL
.Net
Angular
Accessibility/ADA Compliance
USWDS
Design Systems

Responsibilities

Design, develop, optimize, and support software solutions managed by DOM-DoIT for statewide services
Architect new solutions
Act as a Team Lead
Implementation of user experience testing, design and research
Remediation and implement WCAG 2.2 AA coding best practices
Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture, quality expectations, and technical standards
Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices for enhanced security and operational efficiency
Lead adherence to enterprise testing standards, ensuring reliable and secure systems and operational efficiency
Conduct risk assessments and implement risk management strategies to ensure operational stability
Analyze and assess system specifications for alignment with technical requirements and enterprise objectives
Optimize development efforts and strategic purchasing decisions for cost efficiency
Lead, coach, mentor, and train junior team members; utilize AI for QA and software engineering
Monitor performance and resolve issues to ensure stable system operations in alignment with SLAs and incident protocols
Oversee technical documentation and contribute to enterprise-wide policies, SOPs, and guidelines
Collaborate with Product Owners, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders for successful project alignment
Focus on training in AI Engineering, SQL, .Net, Angular, Accessibility/ADA Compliance, USWDS, and Design Systems
Keep informed about emerging technologies and industry trends to foster innovation and professional growth