Application Architect (Public Defender's Office)

The Travis County Public Defender's Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people, including juveniles and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability, accused of criminal offenses via its three divisions- General, Juvenile and Mental Health.
The Application Architect is an important part of the PDO team who uses their skills and training to reduce administrative waste and increase the capacity of the PDO to provide high-quality legal representation. The Application Architect will be responsible for increasing and maintaining the efficiency of the office by developing/designing applications and/or processes, like automations, or identifying solutions that will help staff across different roles use their time most effectively. The position will also collaborate with other department Information Technology teams (Courts IT and County IT) to develop solutions that allow the County to better manage its indigent defense caseload, considering the specific workings of the Public Defender's Office.
* The position may be filled before the closing date. Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. *

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the first in a series of two application-related job classifications within the Information Technology job family. Serves as an enterprise-wide technical expert as well as a functional expert and team lead to Application Development Analyst positions. The Application Architect reports to the Application Development Manager. The Application Architect may serve as the application development project lead for related projects and efforts. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Salary Information:
Application Architect: $99,345.18- $110,945.86 annually

• Develops programming and development standards and procedures.
• Works with users and other technical staff to analyze user needs and provide strategic design solutions. Determines specifications, plans, designs and develops highly complex and critical software solutions.
• Develops enterprise level application and custom integration solutions. Develops enhancements to and interfaces with existing software.
• Serves as a technical expert and provides enterprise-wide perspective and input into Information Technology decisions.
• Researches and maintains knowledge in emerging technologies, applicable to the organization environment. Makes recommendations to senior Information Technology management for technological upgrades and efficiencies.
• Assists with difficult and complex application support problems, unresolved by junior team members.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or a directly related field AND seven (7) years of relevant work experience, including one (1) year of team lead, supervisory or management experience;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

• Please attach resume to online application.

Preferred:

• Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender's Office.
• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) advocating on behalf of or supporting people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal system.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Information technology hardware, software and peripherals as related to assigned function.
• Programming and development standards, procedures and architectures.
• State-of-the-art programming languages and object-oriented approaches to designing, coding, testing and debugging programs.
• Systems design, development and source control.
• Quality assurance, performance monitoring, and integration methodologies.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Translating highly complex concepts for peers and customers.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations and communicating technical issues in non-technical language.

Ability to:

• Design, debug and maintain complex code, modules or applications.
• Work independently and efficiently and as part of a team.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Translate policies and objectives into ideas and applications web-based information products.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant's experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization.
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 35-40 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to exposure to variations in extreme heat, cold, mechanical, fume/odor, and dust/mites.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
The position is anticipated to start in early 2024.
Department: Public Defender's Office
Location: 1010 Lavaca Street, 2nd floor, Austin, TX 78701
Post-Offer Criminal Background Check Required.Employment Type: Full Time