Job Description

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values:

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.

• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.

• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.

• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

The posted salary range budgeted for this position is between $6,073.83 and $8,173.08 monthly. New hires will be typically brought into the agency at a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification in the Office of Technology unless the average pay exceeds the midpoint for the state position's classification salary group. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who far exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role.

This posting has been updated to reflect multiple openings.

Position Overview

The Senior Developer will perform advanced computer programming work involving all technical aspects of supporting, improving, and enhancing applications for a large project. This position requires strong C#.NET, JavaScript, and T-SQL skills. We are seeking a proactive team member who will be responsible for enhancing the assigned application and solving production issues. Work assignments follow a defined software development life cycle (SDLC) process using an Agile-like approach for completing code changes for defined releases. The Senior Developer works across multiple agency stakeholders to ensure the accuracy and the efficacy of the assigned components, ultimately in the service of Texas' 1,247 school districts.

This position is for an individual contributor who will directly report to the Development Manager in the office of Information Technology (IT) department.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

About Office of IT

The Office of Information Technology works closely with all agency divisions to implement innovative technology solutions in a cost-efficient manner that supports the goals and priorities of the Texas Education Agency. The Office of IT provides efficient technology solutions and stellar customer services to internal staff, 20 Educational Service Centers, and 1,200-plus public-school districts and charter schools. The following services are provided by IT: leadership on IT initiatives; guidance on security/policy issues; new application development/enhancements; software acquisition; technical support; assistance with technical sections of purchasing documents such as Request for Information (RFI), Request for Offers (RFO), Request for Proposals (RFP); and oversight on the data collection process which helps to support and improve outcomes for all of Texas' 5 million-plus students.

Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Essential Functions

1. Application Development Best Practices: develop database, software or reports components, ensuring they adhere to TEA and industry standards, best practices, and customer requirements; perform testing to verify that the product matches the requirements, including the creation of test data, test cases and automated test scripts

2. Technical Skill: perform technical analysis on existing defects or proposed enhancements to increase efficiency or to adapt to new procedures; identify root cause and solution for complex problems; ability to adapt to different languages, tools, and technologies

3. Team Contribution: collaborate with the project team for sprint/release work on tasks such as providing development effort estimates, discussing architecture and design, triaging and resolving defects or issues in multiple environments and providing status on work assignments or issues; prepare and maintain technical documentation as required (i.e. process flows, object or data models, project plans, environment diagrams, test plans, etc.)



Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

• Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in application development

• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of current software development best practices and technologies and how they can be applied to create high quality, high-performing applications

• Skill in designing, coding and supporting medium to large applications using C#.NET, ASP.NET, and SQL Server

• Ability to develop high quality form-style web and backend applications using the .NET framework and JavaScript

• Ability to provide strong, senior level database and SQL technical expertise working in a team environment

• Prior experience troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues

• Highly organized; ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve

• Ability to work in a cube environment with potential for significant auditory distractions; May be required to work remotely

• Must be available some nights and weekends for supporting code deployments and application support

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State's Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military "occupational category" that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.