Application & Server Administrator

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Job Description:

*This is a temporary position that is currently funded by federal funding*

Works under the supervision of the IT Manager performing complex computer system analysis work. Work involves planning, analyzing, and designing user requirements, test plans and scripts, procedures, utility programs, charts, diagrams, tables, and flowcharts. Work includes troubleshooting and solving problems and may involve some development, code deployment, server monitoring and maintenance. Effectively develops and communicates technical, business, and system requirements, SDLC to staff charged with acquiring, developing, and/or implementing products and services. Interacts with the customers to understand the business needs and to effectively communicate the technical solutions to the customer in terms they can understand. Participates effectively on cross-functional teams. Work is performed under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May train others. This position is classified as a fulltime position (40 hours a week). Work outside of regular hours may be required. Travel to other work location may be required. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions (EJF):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(45%) Responsible for supporting complex systems to meet customer needs. Includes analyzing production problems as described by the customer, senior analyst, software vendor, and/or customer support staff, problem solving to keep the customer’s applications operational and ongoing maintenance and enhancements to both software and hardware. Ensures systems or products are successfully installed and tested. Prepares and implements test plans, and scripts to ensure quality products or modifications are implemented. Adequately trains other technical support staff, or customer in the successful modifications or implementation to software systems. May design and/or code complex new programs or modify existing programs. Will do code deployments, server monitoring and maintenance, along with analyzing and remediating application & server vulnerabilities.

(40%) Responsible for analyses of assigned work requests, using the Help desk remedy process to determine estimated hours and costs of work effort and duration. Develops, submits and maintains all necessary documents according to the appropriate Project Management Life Cycle, System Development Life Cycle, and Governance Processes. Documentation efforts include creating documents, obtaining document approval signatures, and recording documents. Examples are business requirements, cost estimates, change advisory board, project plans, work plans, test plans, system requirements, design documents, data dictionary, entity relation diagrams, flowcharts, and proposals. May recommend acquisition of commercial products and/or services, when cost effective, to achieve objectives.

(5%) Evaluates existing and proposed computer applications to verify business requirements, system requirements, and equipment configurations are considered. Analyzes complex business processes, equipment, and techniques for applicability, reliability, efficiency, speed, cost, flexibility, and meeting customer needs. These duties include coordinating applications interfaces with other areas within the Department, between vendor owned systems, as well as between State Agencies with the coordination of management.

(5%) Uses initiative and independent judgment on an on-going basis to identify needs and opportunities to improve business processes through; automation, consolation, efficiency, and provides possible solutions.

(5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.  

Licensure, Certification, or Registrations Required:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of technical approaches used to deliver IT products and services to large client organizations.

Experience in providing customer support, demonstrating a deep understanding of customer needs and a commitment to resolving issues promptly and effectively.

Experience in utilizing ticketing systems to manage and prioritize customer inquiries, incidents, and service requests.

Experience in documenting support interactions, troubleshooting steps, and solutions for future reference.

Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including technical support, development, and other teams.

Experience in developing and implementing strategy for migration of self-supported on-prem CI/CD pipelines, tool chains and artifacts to cloud provider offerings including code, artifacts, and pipeline logic.

Experience in building out end-to-end CI/CD tool stack for both on-premises deployment, as well as AZURE deployments.

Experience with multi-cloud implementations, server monitoring and maintenance, preferably Azure App Services, and Linux.

Experience with Jenkins, GitHub/Gitlab, Dynatrace.

Experience with Agile development methodologies.

Skill in communicating with both the customer and development teams.

Skill in writing complex software/utility programs for computer applications.

Skill in estimating project timelines.

Skill in communicating with both the customer and development communities on automation issues.

Skill in writing complex software/utility programs for computer applications.

Skill in estimating project timelines.

Soft skills (personality, relationship-building, communication, stress management)

Ability to read, interpret, analyze existing program code, and make recommendations for improvement or replacement if required.

Initial Screening Criteria: At least 4 (four) years as a Systems Analyst, Software Developer, or similar role within the SDLC.  At least (2) two of those years with Azure cloud and Linux experience is preferred.

Additional Information:

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form