Solution Architect

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:
The solution architect will play a key role in designing and building the architecture for technology acquisition and transformation initiatives led by the Chief Technology Officer. This individual will be a strategic leader, possessing strong technical skills and a foundational understanding of business processes. They will focus on complex, senior-level technology architecture work in support of projects designed to meet agency-wide needs. Collaboration will be essential, working closely with the portfolio manager, application development teams, business stakeholders, and other partners.

The role requires utilizing agile development practices and partnering with other teams to support application enhancements. The solution architect will operate independently or seamlessly integrate into workgroups and project teams. They will have to lead and provide direction to team members. They will be responsible for delivering high-quality work on time. This position offers the opportunity to work with minimal supervision, leveraging significant initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Leads the work efforts for CTO strategic initiatives and/or technology projects. Serves as a lead solution architect, defining, leading, and delivering technical roadmaps that meet specific business needs. Conducts and oversees studies and the preparation of initiative reports that include study findings, presentations, recommendations, and instructions for proposed system implementations and enhancements; formulates logical descriptions of problems; and designs and implements optimum solutions. Enables delivery and execution of highly advanced and/or managerial (senior-level) computer systems analysis work. Work involves hands-on planning and analyzing user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate processing or improve existing systems. Prepares As Is and To Be analysis, Gap analysis, SWOTs, charts, diagrams, and tables that depict the present and proposed systems in terms of an estimation of costs, benefits, and work effort. Plans and schedules, studies, and system implementations. Provides technical and business process guidance.

Drives and leads technical initiatives that cross functional agency systems, other IT groups, and other state entities that require coordination, planning, and scheduling during project development and implementation stages. Provides options in the determination and implementation of architectural solutions. Provides the design and implementation of new and revised methods that effectively meet agency needs. Ensures that designs comply with security requirements for each category of data contained in a solution.

Designs, develops, and administers highly scalable analytical systems with core capabilities across cloud-based provider services. This includes reporting and full system integration.

Leads and participates in solution implementation to include: coordinating and solving problems; analyzing systems and procedures; developing or revising existing code; scheduling, testing, installing, and implementing systems; and writing or revising standards and procedures.

Articulates the current state and desired state of a data analytical solution, identifies gaps between the two states, and develops approaches to close any gaps. Collaborates with HHS IT groups on recommendations. Assists in the preparation of information technology planning and justification.

Oversees the process of developing training for staff prior to the implementation of a new technology or data analytics platform. May also conduct the training of technical staff and program staff on the use of the new tools, technologies, or applications.

Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience as a solution architect for an artificial intelligence, software development, or cloud development project.

- Knowledge and hands-on experience of the limitations and capabilities of computer systems, information technology equipment, applicable programming languages, computer hardware and software, and computer operating systems. 

- Strong technical writing and diagramming skills, including proficiency with modeling and mapping tools (e.g., Visio, Erwin), the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and MS Project.

- Skill analyzing technology systems capabilities, limitations, defects, and business problems to draw evidence-based conclusions and devise innovative solutions. 

- Ability to work under pressure, successfully manage multiple overlapping deadlines, and handle multiple cross-agency projects. 

- Ability to produce reliable, accurate, and high-quality results.

- Knowledge of new cloud technologies and the analytical services available from the major cloud service providers.

- Ability to be adaptable and learn quickly.

- Ability to deliver work within defined schedules, cost, and quality.

- Ability to coordinate multiple assignments or projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

- Ability to communicate with a high level of effectiveness both verbally and in written formats.

- Ability to lead and provide direction to team members. 

- Ability to lead the creation of best practices and procedures.

- Experience with JIRA software

- Knowledge of databases, such as Snowflake, Oracle, and NoSQL data stores, e.g., Postgres.

- Knowledge of cloud delivery models: PaaS, SaaS, and IaaS.

- Knowledge of agile (scrum) methodology and scrum ceremonies. 

- Knowledge of cloud-based services for AWS, Microsoft Azure, GCP, or OCI.

- Knowledge of NIST cybersecurity framework

- Knowledge of networking architectures and principles

- Skill in architecting services, including APIs and Web Services.

- Skill in systems design, programming, implementation and integration of complex distributed IT solutions (e.g. cloud, distributed systems or    high-performance computing experience).

- Skill in architecting modern web applications using one or more of the following: Node, Python, Java, Spring, Spring Boot, RDBMS.

- Prior experience in the healthcare industry.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

10+ years of experience working in IT
At least 4 years experience with AWS or Azure or similar cloud technologies

Additional Information:

Telework may be available based on performance, compliance with the agency's telework policy, and business requirements. Telework arrangements are subject to adjustment and change based on policy and operational requirements.

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