Applications Systems Specialist II

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

This is a technical leadership position responsible for providing hands-on guidance in solution design, development and implementation of web applications within a hybrid cloud environment. The position focuses on understanding business needs and designing modern, cloud-based solutions leveraging capabilities such as low-code application platforms and Gen AI. This position provides a vital technical leadership role and hands-on guidance for Business Analysis by making in-depth discovery calls with clients to understand business objectives, design tailored web/cloud-based solutions, delivering compelling product demonstrations and implementation. Additionally, this position provides leadership throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC), serving as both a domain expert and senior developer.

Responsibilities

• Enforcing best practices in design and development
• Continuously seeking opportunities to refactor and improve existing solutions
• Mentoring junior team members
• Fostering a healthy, productive, and collaborative team culture
• Supporting and assisting with team performance management activities, including resource evaluations, timekeeping, hiring, and other supervisory responsibilities as needed

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $91,600.00 - $160,299.00

Recruitment Range: $110,000.00 - $156,965.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required.

• Work closely with senior leadership to gather and understand business requirements, pain points, and strategic goals
• Design web-based applications and solutions using modern cloud technologies, ensuring stability, security, scalability and ease of operation and maintenance
• Lead the development and implementation of solutions using both low-code/no-code platforms (through configuration) and custom development with modern cloud-based tools
• Demonstrate experience in architecting and implementing enterprise application solutions using Java/J2EE and other web technologies
• Demonstrate experience with Python and AI technologies
• Demonstrate flexibility and preparedness to respond to system emergency situations, including production issues

Employment Details

The posting will close at 11:59 P.M. The night before the end date. This position is funded in part through federal funds. This role requires onsite reporting located within Raleigh, NC.

About the NC DHHS Information Technology Division

In collaboration with our partners, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) protects the health and safety of all North Carolinians and provides essential health and human services. The IT division (ITD) is one of the divisions that report to the Operational Excellence portfolio. The ITD division comprises four sections: Implementation and Operations, Strategy and Workforce, Enterprise Technology, and Vendor and Finance. ITD offers the following services but not limited to implementations, operations, project/portfolio management, infrastructure, consulting, business division liaison, digital transformation, IT.

About the Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact.

Compensation and Benefits

• Employees can participate in health insurance options
• Standard and supplemental retirement plans
• NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis)
• Employees also receive paid vacation
• Sick, and community service leave
• Paid parental leave is available to eligible employees

Visit the website for State Benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or an IT related field or related technical degree from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of progressive experience in business application, business intelligence, or enterprise application consulting or development;
• Associate degree in computer science or an IT related field or related technical degree from an appropriately accredited institution and seven years of progressive experience in business application consulting or development;
• High School or General Education Development (GED) diploma and ten years of experience in business application, business intelligence, or enterprise application consulting or development;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Recruitment Information

Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Background Checks

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Eligibility Terms

Veteran’s Preference - Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. National Guard Preference - Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.