Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Provides senior technical leadership and expertise in the design, development, deployment and on-going support of large complex Information Technology applications and systems for the Government Service Cluster (GSC). Works closely with senior technical experts in the Cluster and the OPS to ensure applications and infrastructure initiatives optimize and integrate current available resources and are aligned with standards and best practices in Architecture, Operations, Project Management, as well as Applications Services. Provides authoritative technical advice to management to resolve complex system problems and critical incidents.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Sets technical directions, develops technology plans and technical standards and provides design consultation on all major and complex applications and new IT services.

2. Provides senior technical support to Application development management and staff including application design guidelines and ensures standards are adhered to with the (directly or through contract service providers) key applications systems development and implementation functions, from the inception to deployment. Includes application tools and methodologies research and development, applications architecture, integration, analysis, design, construction, unit/system/ end-to-end (E2E) performance and testing and security.

3. Optimizes available technical resources, through activities such as identification and development of reusable components; integration with other applications / common components; the use of common utilities / services; etc.

4. Provides direction for all related applications systems maintenance and support functions, including applications and data disaster recovery planning, ITS processing and monitoring; and identifying new technologies and approaches.

5. Working jointly with Corporate and ITS Security, leads technical/application security, and ensures excellence in application design and risk management planning. Works with the emergency/contingency team to develop and implement security plans methodologies and emergency situations.

6. Provides authoritative advice to Cluster managers and project managers on the full deployment of the application systems, addresses all considerations relating to deployment including service level agreements, organizational changes and business process changes (service management). Ensures all related system documentation, standards and procedures are followed.

7. Provides senior technical advice on all phases of incident/problem/issue management related to the technical aspects of the project.

8. Develops Cluster and unit guidelines, standards, procedures, monitoring and reporting for all aspects of application service delivery, maintenance and support functions to meet service levels and cost targets.

9. Works with other Clusters technologists to promote cross Cluster commonalities and opportunities and with ITS to ensure Cluster initiatives are aligned with OCCIO directions.

10. Provides technical guidance to the Application Services and Infrastructure Technology Branches for operations processes and tools

11. Works jointly with the Manager to establish priorities, schedules and allocation of work to staff or consultants.

12. Provides experienced technical advice and guidance to the senior management team, clients and project staff including consultants.

13. Provides input to the technical requirements of the project, identifies solutions and deliverables suited to client needs, and defines project/service scope and approach.

14. Participates with both ITS and application staff and consultants including participation with the recruitment and selection, identification and implementation of skills enhancement strategies, provision of training and staff development, assignment of work, and providing input to the PDLP's.

Knowledge :

Work requires:

• Proven experience and knowledge in using IT Enterprise Architectural frameworks (such as Zachman) and structured methodologies for the design, development and implementation of complex Applications. Work requires working knowledge of Application and/or technical architecture and design to work with colleagues, Cluster and corporate architects, planners and Cluster client program managers, external IT service providers on complex issues of application design and development.

• Work requires proven knowledge and experience in current methods, tools, techniques in application systems analysis, design, development, integration, testing and implementation ; technology; and security , including the use of developmental tools, case tools, and software packages such as project management software

• Work requires knowledge and experience in business analysis including process modeling, data modeling, and/or information resource management (data and information perspective), process re-engineering; strategic application planning; technical infrastructure and capacity planning, Infrastructure configuration, installation and deployment.

• Operational requirements for 24/7 support, capacity and performance planning, high availability solutions

• Work requires knowledge of Cluster and corporate I&IT operating environments, client ministries business activities and information needs. Work requires knowledge of customer service standards and client expectations to lead the development and implementation of information systems and applications which meet corporate efficiency, effectiveness, access and security goals. Application and/or technical standards development and maintenance and related monitoring techniques.

• Knowledge and experience in Integration methods, processes and techniques, and systems / integration / performance / tuning /security testing techniques, strategies and plans.

• Work requires knowledge of Corporate OPS, EIA and I&IT strategies, plans, standards and directives to ensure project compliance. Knowledge of security, data support and/or application and/or technical maintenance and support policies, methodologies, standards and guidelines.

• Work requires proven experience in Project/services management including planning, estimating, budgeting, scheduling, measuring, monitoring and controlling to effectively manage average complex and complex large-scale undertakings.

• Knowledge of Client operations and objectives and related application/technical solutions to define effective project scope, approaches and establish mutually satisfactory customer agreements.

• Knowledge and experience in analysis and problem-solving approaches in order to provide technical and general business expertise to identify innovative solutions to complex problems, direct staff in the resolution of EIA and I&IT analysis and design problems; change management (technology, systems, process, human aspects) and risk management and quality assurance.

• Proven experience in customer service techniques and standards to effectively provide quality service delivery to clients, province wide.

• OPS tendering and contracting policies, procedures and standards, including negotiating SLAs, vendor, contractor and consultant services management.

• Knowledge of and experience in Disaster recovery planning and hot-site contingency testing to ensure effective planning and development of Cluster security plans, as part of the management contingency team.

• Knowledge of ITSM standards based on the ITIL framework.

• Work requires knowledge of industry developments and trends in technology and solutions and major software and supplier technical directions.

Work requires:

• Proven knowledge and experience in communication, relationship management and interpersonal skills to communicate technical information to non-technical parties, and to establish effective working relationships with I&IT management, clients, and other project stakeholders, and with project staff.

• Strategic advisory and organizational skills to perform service functions in a fast paced changing environment.

• Persuasiveness and negotiation skills to develop and manage customer and service agreements with vendors and clients.

• Administrative skills to assist in leading staff and resources effectively and within budget allocated.

• Leadership, role modeling and knowledge transfer techniques to maintain a competitive edge in client service delivery.

• Work requires the ability to work both as a team player or a team leader, depending on nature of task or project.

• Work requires ability to set and meet strict deadlines.

Judgement :

Works under direction of the Manager, and within the framework of the mandate of the OPS, its objectives and policies and within industry, I&IT strategies, plans, directives, trends and standards. Judgment is exercised in providing strategic input into the Cluster and strategic business plans, prepares the Operational Technology Plan and recommending course of action in complex applications service delivery functions and in identifying appropriate technical/service solutions to meet client needs and requirements. As well, good judgment is required in planning all phases of average complex to complex projects/services, estimating costs, determining priorities and schedules, determining resource requirements, risks, constraints and contingencies. Judgment is required in determining and selecting most appropriate resources for projects/ongoing work, including using RFP/RFR/SOW processes. Judgment is required to identify technical or other application and/or technical issues and determine most appropriate course of action to resolve them and to ensure minimal impact on client service delivery. A high degree of judgment is needed to ensure that systems quality and compliance with government and I&IT management direction, client needs and technology standards are met.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for the technology planning, directions and standards for complex and long range projects/services from start through completion within risk, time and resource constraints, where outcome may affect service delivery, government legislative programs and public expectations or services. Position is accountable for providing strategic/tactical plans for the Cluster and in technology, operational and systems development, design and applications. Accountable for the infrastructure standards to provide availability, capacity, performance and support/deployment of application systems/development, documentation and maintenance.

Accountability – Personnel :

Responsibility for the technical leadership of staff assigned on a project basis and external consultants.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Develops financial business cases for the introduction of new designs, solutions and technology and provides input for the preparation of budgets for the projects assigned to. Responsible for the design and business re-engineering processes province wide within the Cluster. Allocates and effectively uses resources and recommends assignment of resources from other areas within I&IT for project work; accountable for best use of resources including internal and contract service provider. Responsible for meeting service delivery objectives and determining best use of external service providers for new acquisitions/services.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

n/a

Contact - Internal :

• Frequently with I&IT senior management within the Government Service Cluster to provide technology updates, recommendations on new directions and standards as well as recommendations on major new services being designed and implemented.

• Frequently with clients and GSC I&IT senior management to provide project/service status, advice, and recommendations, to resolve issues and negotiate changes, resource requirements.

• Frequently with application and operations staff to ensure effective business systems solution implementation.

• Frequently with senior managers in cross-jurisdictional or multi-project environment to co-ordinate assignments, approach, schedules, resolve technical or resource issues.

• Daily with Unit/project staff, professionals to provide senior technical direction, advice, guidance consultation and problem resolution.

Contact - External :

• Regularly with professional peers in IT community to keep abreast of developments and up to date operational and applications directions and technology.

• Regularly with service providers to review their technical directions and services.

• Regularly with vendors, suppliers and external consultants for acquisition or to address problems related to quality or services.

• Regularly with peers in broader public sector/private sector/other jurisdictions to initiate and develop partnerships and work on large-scale projects.