Principal IT Production Engineer

Full Job Description

KCIT’s Platform Applications team is seeking a highly skilled IT Production Engineer - Principal to support and administer our application portfolio, and act as a technical lead for application projects. The successful candidate for this position will have extensive knowledge and experience with software administration, integration, and scripting, as well as basic knowledge and experience with SQL databases, Windows and Linux server administration, possessing an understanding of application runtime, middleware, OS, virtualization, servers, storage, networking technologies and a proficiency in Azure Cloud services. Experience is needed in supporting production application technology domains, and troubleshooting complex technical issues. Responsibilities include creating standard operating procedures, establishing processes, and documentation, maintaining services, writing automation scripts, performing lifecycle management, planning, and implementing work tasks, and resolving technical issues. This role will collaborate with vendors, colleagues and business partners to enhance services and design and implement solutions that meet business requirements, driving automation and best practices to improve consistency and customer experience.

Additionally, as Technical Lead for new and upgrade software projects, this candidate is responsible for the design, engineering, implementation, and operational support of application solutions. This candidate will oversee technical aspects of projects, which may also include project oversight in managing project scope, communications, priorities, goals, and deliverables. This role will assist with technical issues and architectural needs, document designs of new and emerging technologies and comply with KCIT standards. This candidate will provide in-team training on new technologies, ensure proper documentation, secure the production technology domain using industry and KCIT standards, and act as the final escalation point for technical problems. This role also involves identifying and implementing technology roadmaps, and leading and documenting technical requirements for projects. This role is responsible for analyzing and resolving recurring incidents and problems, and interacting with cross-functional teams, and stakeholders. This candidate will lead change management, conceptual design review, architectural review, and risk mitigation processes, and taking overall ownership of technology aspects of projects.

KCIT uses the power of technology to digitally transform King County. Building vibrant communities through digital equity and social justice, KCIT offers innovative solutions that engage, empower, and serve our residents, businesses, communities and interested stakeholders. As the first-place recipient of the 15th annual National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey, KCIT is recognized for its vision, strategy, innovation, and collaboration. KCIT has a focus of delivering smart technology solutions that support customers, building stronger communities through innovation.

KCIT is providing the building blocks for many of the region's most critical services. As the business solutions partner, we collaborate with the 18 County departments to develop products and services that better serve the needs of our customers and our community. To learn more about KCIT, please visit:http://kingcounty.gov/depts/it.aspx

Requirements

• Establish and upgrade application systems and associated servers, databases, scripts and integrations for lifecycle management and to implement technology roadmaps.
• Troubleshoot system issues and coordinate progress with customers and stakeholders, while collaborating with vendors, and KCIT cross-functional teams.
• Act as final point of escalation in application system support.
• Establish and support system documentation and cross-train team members on technical systems.
• Act as technical lead for application projects, overseeing KCIT technical requirements for systems and coordinating and collaborating with customers, stakeholders, vendors and KCIT cross-functional teams.
• Build presentations and present for architectural reviews for phase gate approval.
• Utilize organizational and time management skills while balancing several ongoing projects and system maintenance.
• Regularly interact with customers, vendors, and cross-functional KCIT teams.
• Continuously learn about and apply knowledge on technologies and systems being utilized within KCIT.
• Participate in an After-Hours Support Rotation

Qualifications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Possess a BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or have an equivalent combination or education and work experience.
• Have six or more years of experience with Microsoft products, software support expertise and application integrations.
• Basic understanding of runtime, middleware, OS, virtualization, servers, storage and networking technologies.
• Good understanding of IAAS and PAAS. Basic proficiency in Azure Cloud services.
• Possess knowledge with Agile methodology.

TECHNICAL LEAD

• Oversee technical project aspects, including scope, communications, priorities, goals, and deliverables with stakeholders.
• Support architecture design needs and assist in resolving technical issues.
• Document new technologies, provide in-team training, and ensure system documentation is available and current.
• Lead change management, design and architectural reviews, and risk mitigation processes.
• When serving as the technical lead on projects, provide direction, cross-training, and guidance to team members and other KCIT staff as appropriate.
• Communicate and present solutions, business process improvements, and integrated business and technical requirements, to technology architects and stakeholders.
  

CLIENT & TASK MANAGEMENT

• Experience in use of Azure DevOps to track work item assignments, manage pipelines, and store code.
• Provide solutions-oriented recommendations to customers for software use cases, including defining problems, solutions, and determining the best solutions.
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrate excellent customer service communication skills.
• Be quality-conscious, reliable, and know how to follow up effectively with others.
• Manage and track multiple tasks while navigating competing priorities.
• Have effective time management while juggling multiple assignments.

SYSTEM SUPPORT

• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 support for applications service requests and incidents.
• Provide technical support for our portfolio of applications, including design, implementation, maintenance, and system administration.
• Review current configurations and standards to identify, design, plan, recommend, and implement improvements.
• Write scripts for automation, reporting, and standardization of operational processes.
• Participate in the development and updating of technical roadmaps, as well as the design and implementation of solutions.
• Provide day-to-day operational system support to ensure high availability and optimal performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems, serving as the final escalation point when necessary.
• Be available to provide support for service issues or failures as needed.
• Experienced in understanding security and administration best practices for applications – following KCIT security protocols.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

• Demonstrate experience utilizing PowerShell and developing scripts.
• Possess skill in configuring monitoring using SCOM, Orion, or other similar systems.
• Experience in using APIs (Application Programming Interface).
• Experience in Azure Cloud permissioning – including Azure Guest account configuration.
• Experience with AD group configuration and MIM configuration (Microsoft Identity Management).
• Experience in working with VPN tunnels.
• Experience establishing SSO Single Sign On, and Azure Entra access management.
• Experience renewing server certificates.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining system configuration Items (CMDB).

TROUBLESHOOTING SKILLS

• Exhibit major incident response and resolution skills, advanced problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, and root cause analysis skills to identify potential improvements to the environment.
• Possess basic knowledge and understanding of software development languages and tools
• Demonstrate strong research, data collection, organization, and analysis skills.
• Exhibit expertise and experience with complex technical activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ITIL Foundation certification desired
• Project Management/SCRUM experience desired.
• Microsoft Certifications including Azure is desired.

Additional Information

Hybrid Work

The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of onsite work and telecommuting. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support when working remotely.

Classification

IT Production Engineer - Principal - 741701

Union

This position is represented by Protec17: Information Technology

Work Schedule

The normal work week for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Alternative work schedules may be considered. This position is FLSA Exempt and is not eligible for overtime pay.

**This position participates in an After-Hours Support Rotation

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Are you ready to APPLY!?

The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified candidates. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. A completed King County Application detailing your experience and qualifications is required. Applications submitted without all material will not be considered.

Questions

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Ira Becton, irbecton@kingcounty.gov or 206-492-6919.