DECL System Architect

Full Job Description

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, and building an economy that works for everyone. The Governor's staff includes offices for budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.

Committed to Diversity - We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities. If you’re looking for a place where you can be your authentic self at work and celebrate the uniqueness of those around you, then we want to talk to you! State of Colorado employees were asked to reflect on their experience with equity, diversity, and inclusion. Click here to learn more about their experiences Colorado For All - Colorado Employees Reflect on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
We offer a generous benefits package including:To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.



The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, community-informed, data-driven, high-quality, and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education and well-being of all Colorado's young children, their families and early childhood professionals in all settings. CDEC provides access to collaborative, coordinated, quality early childhood programs and support to children, families, and early care professionals in an effort to best prepare Coloradans for future success. CDEC works with many partners, including parents, schools, child care providers, Early Childhood Councils, counties, Community Centered Boards, early intervention service providers, family resources centers, county human services, county public health, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to provide high-quality early childhood and family support programs.

Business Operations, Innovation, Technology, & Security (BITS) has 4 crucial teams responsible for the entire agency technology portfolio.

The 4 teams manage CDEC's information technology, infrastructure, operations, projects, & enterprise applications.

BITS coordinates daily with all of CDEC, the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT), and technology service providers in support of the CDEC Mission.

Our vision is to be the most tech-forward, user-centric agency in the State of Colorado by identifying, implementing, and managing solutions that are sustainable, interoperable, & secure.

The Technology team is focused on managing CDEC’s enterprise applications & systems.

This is achieved through a balance of application management, operational support, service delivery, and continuous enhancement. The Technology team has 2 work units: Operations & Service.

The Operations team is responsible for system administration and all day-to-day operations.

The Service team is responsible for ticketing, triaging, troubleshooting, and the service delivery to the end user.

Technology supports the CDEC mission through the management of the primary mediums of CDEC’s service delivery.

These are critical applications that ultimately allow CDEC to execute its goals, outcomes, & objectives.

While the individual goals are often driven by individual programs, this team holds the significant responsibility of understanding how each part of the CDEC enterprise infrastructure fits in, impacts, and influences the entire technological ecosystem.

All decisions, actions, and solutions executed by the Technology team shall be sustainable, interoperable, & secure.

Technology’s primary customer & end user is the recipient of the service being delivered through the enterprise solution. Their primary partners are Product, Program Delivery, & OIT.

The inseparable relationship between the Technology & Product teams shall be viewed as 2 sides of the same coin.

Both of these teams are primarily focused on the end user - Technology is focused on achieving the desired outcome for the end user and Product is focused on achieving the best possible experience for the end user.

Requirements

Class Code & Class Description:
T1E4XX Information Technology IV

This is an experienced System Architect that provides high level direction & guidance to the entire DECL statewide IT software system across 5 platforms: Professional Development & Information System (PDIS) Salesforce, PDIS Cornerstone Learning Management System (LMS), Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) Salesforce, Attendance Tracking System (ATS) Salesforce, & Licensing Salesforce.

This position plans & develops the architecture, configuration, design, blueprint, and technical standards while working alongside the DECL System Administrators.

This position will serve a critical role of bridging business requirements from DECL Product Owners & provider-focused Product Managers into the technical implementation by the System Administrators & Customer Experience (CX) Administrators.

This position is tasked with ensuring the various, complex elements of the DECL system fit together seamlessly.

This is achieved by maximizing the efficiency, rationality, & interoperability of the DECL statewide software systems.

The position is expected to utilize an Agile, iterative approach to all technology operations duties across the BITS technology infrastructure.

CDEC, along with its infrastructure of applications and systems, is an expansive, dynamic agency with thousands of stakeholders.

To be successful, this role must have a communicative and collaborative approach to CDEC Technology that is encompassing all these inputs.

While we strive to be inclusive of all stakeholders, a principle of the BITS team is that the families, children, and early childhood professionals that we serve have been, are currently, and will continue to be the primus inter pares of all stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing:

• Create, define, & update system designs, blueprints, & maps. Constantly update the Current State while continuously driving towards an iterative Future State, which requires developing guidelines to implement the overall DECL structure.
• Create, manage, maintain, & share the DECL IT Software Roadmap for the system’s continued evolution & rationalization. Ensure that the roadmap is always aligned with both BITS strategy & CDEC business needs to positively impact end-user experience.

This role is responsible for the oversight of all DECL IT enhancements, operations & maintenance, projects, and technical debt management requests.

The position evaluates the recommendations of the Staff Authorities in various systems (PDIS, LMS, QRIS, HRS) and determines the overall system solutions to meet business needs.

These solutions impact end-users, OIT, and CDEC Product Team.

• This position will serve as a representative of both DECL & Technology Operations on the CDEC Intake Review Board - an internal governing body to provide oversight and ensure CDEC projects and initiatives are aligned with CDEC Technology (BITS, Product, & OIT) strategy, operations, and capabilities.
• Provide high-level guidance, planning, direction, coordination, and technological leadership to the Technology Unit, most especially when connecting strategy to planning to implementation and vice versa.
• Create, foster, & champion an Agile environment at all times across the entire system.
• Provide daily support to all stakeholders in driving towards an Agile environment, including: support Product Owners in backlog creation & management; support Product Managers in integrating feedback into future sprints & providing testing environments/opportunities; support Technology Service by integrating ticketing data into future planning; & support Technology Operations by helping drive towards shorter software development life cycles (SDLC) through planning, design, & strategy.
• Design Agile, iterative DECL solutions that provide achievable, sustainable, & rational outcomes between the Current State and the planned Future State.
• Consistently and continuously drive technology decisions towards long-term technological sustainability and financial sustainability and away from customization, legacy-based, quick-fix, complex solutions.
• Conduct systemic analyses of existing infrastructure and identify enhancement opportunities that prioritize simplifying, rationalizing, optimizing, and streamlining.
• Identify how to support the Technology Operations System Administrators to achieve these long-term priorities while ensuring they have the support and ability to achieve their #1 goal of Keeping Systems Operating (KSO).
• Lead & attend meetings with Product, Office of Program Delivery, & other stakeholders concerning Enhancements and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) for the DECL IT system.
• In partnership with Technology Service & Product, ensure that the UX, UI, & CX needs and priorities are represented fairly in all infrastructure decisions.

Serve as a crucial communication pivot between the Technology Unit and OPD, Product, & other stakeholders.

This will require the ability to translate in both directions - from business to technical and technical to business.

This role will require the ability to translate various, non-technical input into technical requirements as well as the ability to translate clearly and understandably any technical concerns or issues raised by the Technology Unit to the non-technical stakeholders.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in technology and/or software role that includes direct experience with a diverse population of end users, three (3) of which in enterprise-level Software as a Service (SaaS), Human Capital Management (HCM), Learning Management System (LMS) and/or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform.
• One (1) year of experience as a team leader, work lead, Senior role, System role, architect or supervisor.

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education, formalized apprenticeship program, certification, AND experience in technology and/or software role that includes direct experience with a diverse population of end users equal to six (6) years, three (3) of which in enterprise-level Software as a Service (SaaS), Human Capital Management (HCM), Learning Management System (LMS) and/or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform.
• One (1) year of experience as a team leader, work lead, Senior role, System role, architect or supervisor.

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application and in the supplemental questions.

Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section and supplemental questions of your application will be reviewed to determine this.

“See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Substitutions:

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience communicating, executing, articulating, & modeling an Agile software development life cycle (SDLC).
• Salesforce Administrator and/or Salesforce Architect certification.

Leadership experience in technology, software, & enterprise applications (e.g. Senior role, System role, Work Lead, Architect, or equivalent).

Experience should include planning, directing, designing, & developing the architecture, configuration, design, blueprint, and technical standards of applications, platforms, and/or systems.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively between technology-based teams and non-technology-based teams. Direct experience of bridging business requirements from product owners & product managers, user needs by customers, and technical needs of administrators, developers, & engineers.
• Direct experience working with Technology Operations, Technology Service, Technology Development, and Product teams
• Direct experience with Salesforce and/or Cornerstone, including trainings & certifications
• Direct experience creating, coordinating, developing, managing, updating, and utilizing technical documentation including System Maps, High Level Business Requirements (HLBRs), and Customer Journey Maps
• Demonstrated career background & experience in supporting SaaS, HCM, LMS, and/or CRM system integrations with other platforms including APIs, single sign-on (SSO), etc.
• Experience making system-wide decisions that have broad impacts to thousands of users
• Demonstrated ability to lead system analyses, technology problem identification, and resolution
• Ability to operate independently while providing elite support to stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills to influence decision-making via relationship building. Experience developing & coordinating communications associated with change management

Highly Desired:

• Secondary Degree in Computer Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field
• Agile, iterative, product-forward, user-centric mindset. Demonstrated ability to prioritize efficiency, rationality, sustainability, & interoperability of applications, platforms, and/or systems.
• Proven ability to interact & communicate with multiple stakeholders, including non-technical colleagues, in a digital environment as well as through voice, text, & email

DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.

• Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative.

This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Additional Information

How to Apply (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process.

Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

1. A complete CDEC Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
2. A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)
3. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
4. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.

Comparative Analysis Process

The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position.

Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview.

Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email.

Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations: The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Specialist: ely.behrhorst@state.co.us

The Department does not offer sponsored visas for employment purposes.

Technical Assistance
If you experience difficulty in uploading or attaching documents to your online application, or for any other technical difficulties, call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 anytime between 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).