State of Maryland

A HCD Information Technology (IT) Senior Technical Specialist performs the top-level of technical expert work in one or more specialized areas of applications, systems analysis and programming for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).  Employees in this classification provide timely and creative solutions to complex computer and networking requirements.  HCD, as a housing finance agency, offers a broad range of financial services that include bond finance, mortgage lending, municipal and small business lending, cashflow loans, tax credit programs and loan servicing, as well as housing voucher and grant administration for community revitalization.  HCD’s commercial partnerships and stakeholders include community and investment banks, sub-services, trustees and bond holders.  HCD's lending and financing programs are inherently time critical, and there are extensive dependencies on personally identifiable information (PII), as well as other sensitive and non-public information.  Employees in this classification have extensive interaction with software/database developers, and stakeholders at partner organizations, and all levels of program (line-of-business) staff.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification act independently under limited supervision.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using by the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the classification specification.

Enables the Department to expediently respond to opportunities and challenges via Information Technology;

Formulates and defines system scope and objectives;

Devises or modifies procedures to solve complex problems considering computer equipment capacity and limitations, operating time and torn of desired results;

Addresses business challenges by analyzing resources, capacity and limitations, and required outcomes;

Establishes innovative and streamlined processes to support software and database development;

Demonstrates high proficiency for designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software and/or databases;

Develops conceptual designs and prototypes;

Implements access control and security in new systems;

Develops strategies for safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in transit and at rest;

Deploys new software systems and/or databases on-premises, hosted or on the Cloud;

Leads the optimization of enterprise software and databases;

Contributes to development of IT policies, security controls, disaster recovery, and standard operating procedures;

May act as expert in business or functional area;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of line-of-business programs, their respective missions, and the role of information technology;

Knowledge of SDLC and change management;

Knowledge of computer operating systems, computer networks, hosted and cloud-based solutions;

Knowledge of databases, SDKs, and programming languages;

Knowledge, at the expert level of proficiency, of business’/function’s needs for software;

Skill in leading complex projects;

Skill in providing technical leadership on complex projects;

Skill in preparing detailed specifications for new systems;

Skill in delivering iterative results during AGILE projects;

Skill in implementing client-server software;

Skill in providing guidance and training to lower-level HCD Programmers, and evaluating their work products;

Skill in delivering solutions and achieving outcomes via Information Technology;

Ability to analyze organizational needs, architect business solutions, and monitor/administer systems/software to optimize performance;

Ability to use acquired institutional knowledge to achieve organizational efficiencies;

Ability to undertake multiple phases of a project;

Ability to provide direction and instruction;

Ability to perform cost benefit and feasibility analyses.

Experience: Six years or more experience, five or more years of experience performing software and database analysis, design and development, for multi-tiered client-server software in an organization with extensive level of program integration and reliance on technology and an additional one year of experience designing, developing, testing, implementing and maintaining application, communication, database or operating systems software.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and five or more years of experience performing software and database analysis, design and development, for multi-tiered client-server software in an organization with extensive level of program integration and reliance on technology for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and thirty credit hours from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Technology, Management Information Systems or other information technology-related field to include coursework in application, communication, database or operating systems software technology for the additional one year of required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute additional experience operating computer systems; or scheduling, controlling input and output to process data on computer systems; or evaluating, implementing and maintaining computer hardware and software; or converting data from project specifications by developing program code using generally accepted computer programming languages on a year-for-year basis for a high school education.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the Computer Systems Operations classifications or Computer Systems Operations specialty codes in the Information Technology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Director, Division of Classification and Salary