Solution Architect

Job Description

Title: Solution Architect
Location:  Caroline Street, Houston, TX
Contract

Work /Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
CJIS required: YES

Job Description:
Job Overview
Client is third largest county in the United States (by population). Client is searching for a solutions architect to assist the justice community in modernizing their current court case management system, which includes complex integrations with over two dozen justice/law enforcement agencies. This system, called JWEB, is a very large, mission critical system for the client. The history of the original system dates back to the 1990’s although the current version is approximately five years old and is built on relatively modern technology.
The ideal candidate should have several years’ experience in various aspects of information technology (programming languages, cloud computing, network and security architecture, data architecture, and database systems), software development methodologies and architecting n-tier systems. The ideal candidate should have expertise in database patterns, and knowledge of user interface design. The ideal candidate should have experience beyond just the software level. They should have a deep understanding of database schemas, microservices, SOA, while understanding each technology stack of the solution.

The ideal candidate will have a history of architecting successful solutions.

During the first nine months of employment, the candidate is expected to work with the Integrated Justice Information System Director and the justice community in general to solidify the modernization roadmap. This person will document high level business needs and objectives. This person will take lead responsibility on analyzing existing systems and recommending improvements, creating initial technical documentation and architectural diagrams, evaluating and recommending suitable tools and frameworks and overseeing the solution's implementation.

Responsibilities

• Modernization: Define, build and align modernization data and application models and strategy/tools with industry best practices such as the 6 R’s (Rehost, Re-platform, Replace, Retire, etc.). Viewpoints: Architecture  -Monolith/SOA/Microservice, heavy focus on software architecting and designing, Delivery-Waterfall/Agile/DevOps
• Assessments: Complete initial assessments to understand and document current landscape supporting the applications and infrastructure. Identify any in-flight projects; Assess client’s change readiness levels
• Strategy/Vision/Prioritization: Develop an architectural roadmap related to the modernization and migration efforts around Application solutions; develop an overall strategy that aligns with client’s mission and vision.  Identify short-term and longer-term initiatives and priorities
• Hybrid Multi-cloud: Propose on-premise and cloud-related designs and compare/contrast on-premise Hybrid cloud models and how they enhance the County’s stance around innovation, security posture, benefits, and speed to value. Government cloud focuses on Microsoft Azure, AWS clouds
• Collaboration/Partnership and Stakeholder Leadership: Act as a trusted advisor, and build and maintain relationships with the director and other IT leaders and executives to develop a clear understanding of enterprise needs; ensure cost-effective delivery of IT services to meet those needs, and respond with agility to changing industry and organization priorities. As such, the Architect will communicate and coordinate with all areas of the Information Systems department, including infrastructure, applications, database administrators, business owners and vendors; also work with customers, partners, and other critical stakeholders to develop and align architecture roadmaps
• Disaster Recovery Strategy/Approach: May need to work closely with IT and business teams to understand current state of organization’s application and infrastructure solutions and DR plans, including any hot, warm or cold DR sites, templates, documentation, and related technology assets and tools. It is desired (not required) that the candidate is able to get clear understanding of the current backup strategy, designs, processes, and tools.
• Compliance/Standard and Governance: Ensure compliance according to client’s Technology Information Security standards and best practices. Establish governance processes related modernization and transformation initiatives aligned with the county standards, processes, plans, tools, and measures
• Knowledge Management and Enablement: Conduct workshops to provide and get input around important concepts and decisions. Document and align work products with key stakeholders as necessary. Ensure a process that enables knowledge transfer and support for less senior employees.

Qualifications

Work Experience/Qualification  
Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum 15 years of experience leading large complex projects supporting Transformation and modernization goals and objectives
• Minimum 10 years of experience with information technology or application support, design or analysis and/or project management
• Experience working in a complex environment with significant numbers of stakeholders across infrastructure, applications, databased and technology toolset with ambiguous or unclear requirements
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in public service industry especially state and local government within the past 7 years, supporting cross-functional teams influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organization and within complex contexts
• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) experience is desired
• Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to present verbally to high-level stakeholders.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain client/professional relationships/partnerships.
• Capacity for quickly understanding new and different concepts/approaches, workflows, and systems.
• Works in a highly organized manner, independently or within a team, in a fast-paced, innovative, and continuously changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to drive cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Knowledge of ITIL and IT Service Management is desired.
• Demonstrated skills in managing shared services teams
• Demonstrated ability to constructively influence other people and organizations to drive and achieve objectives, goals and balance competing needs

Education (Required): Bachelor's Degree

Certifications:

• Formal Architecture Training (such as TOGAF or similar industry certification) required
• Project Management Professional (PMP) desired
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library ITIL desired

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.