Deputy Director, IT Application Operations

Job Responsibilities

The South Carolina Judicial Branch (SCJB), invites applications for Deputy Director of Information Technology (IT) Application Operations.

The Deputy Director of Information Technology (IT) Application Operations reports directly to the Director of IT and is responsible for overseeing the development, management and support of critical Judicial Branch software applications in alignment with departmental strategic vision, mission and goals. Plans, creates, implements, manages, and monitors IT application operational policies, procedures, guidelines, and designs to ensure consistency and compliance with relevant software development, security standards, and legislative mandates.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

This job bulletin represents general duties for this position and is not intended to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, training programs, policies, procedures and standards. The scope of the teams this position is responsible for supervising consist of, but is not limited to, the full range of activities in the software development lifecycle; project management and execution; call center support; application training programs; contract management; and budget planning. The scope of programs served by the IT Applications team includes, but is not limited to, the unified Court Case Management System (CMS); Court Jury Management System (JMS); eFiling systems; Attorney Information Systems (AIS); Appellate Case Management System (ACMS) for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals; ACMS eFiling; Court Reporter Tracking; and Bar Admissions Tracking.

• Plans, organizes, and manages work assignments of operational functions. Develops, implements and monitors work objectives to achieve strategic initiatives. Provides project oversight and guidance to team members managing projects to ensure successful project completion occurs on time and on budget.

• Management activities consist of providing direction and guidance to the IT Application Team members, establishing priorities, organizing application-related projects, and driving the execution of strategic initiatives and tactical roadmaps established by the Director of IT and program leadership. Assists the Director of IT to develop plan, evaluate and implement strategic initiatives of the courts. Responsible for assisting in the oversight of day-to-day operations of staff to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of systems and services to internal employees and external customers, which includes more than over 100 SCJB applications.

• Advises on Application Operations regarding policy issues, application security, programs and projects to meet operational requirements; advises on and assists in identifying, articulating and implementing policies, programs and projects; assists the Director of IT in maintaining effective working relationships and productive lines of communication with County and State agencies.

• Plans, monitors, directs and oversees the daily tasks and activities of the IT Applications staff members. Ensures that the IT Application staff members have defined training and development plans to promote growth and retain highly-skilled application/software technicians.

• Establish, monitor and compile a list of service level agreements (SLA) for key systems and services provided by the IT Applications team to ensure availability of unified resources statewide. Track and compile a list of all of SCJB's applications, including relevant data that allows us to stay abreast of software versions. Defines and implements key process indicators to measure the effectiveness of IT Applications and support team processes, systems, and service levels.

• Reviews the IT Applications department budget, contracts and procedures to identify opportunities for cost avoidance and/or savings. Assists in the preparation of and the administration of budgets, budget recommendations, and monitors assigned budget expenditures.

• Monitors the development, quality assurance, deployment, and support teams to resolve day-to-day resolution of technical and applications issues. Develops and manages the department's application training software programs/platform to educate customers on unified court applications that are deployed and supported statewide.

• Responsible for supervising the Applications Development Manager, Applications Administration Manager and Application Support Manager to ensure strategic program direction and compliance with organizational policies and procedures established by the Director of IT and program leadership.

• Develop and implement a succession plan for the IT Applications Operations managers and staff. Coach, mentor, develop, and nurture staff with the potential to fill key business leadership roles within the Judicial Branch. Communicates job requirements and manages employee performance. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• A bachelor's degree in computer science, or technology management, or a related field with at least eight (8) years of IT application development-related experience.

• Five (5) years of management experience that consists of staff management and the delivery of IT-related projects. Related experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

• This position is an in-office position. No remote work is possible.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Knowledge:

• Management principles.

• Judicial Branch operations.

• Local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas of information technology.

• Leadership principles and how to effectively interact with various types of leadership styles.

• Multiple software development lifecycle methodologies including agile principles.

• Change management, software testing procedures, application release processes and automation tools.

• Project management processes and tools.

• Database design, multiple database platforms and table relationships.

• E-commerce services.

• Strategic planning, project management, budget management, and human resources.

Skills:

• Strong management and organizational skills.

• Skilled in developing plans and setting objectives that support an overall business strategy.

• Skilled in identifying problems, evaluating possible options, and implementing solutions.

• Skilled in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.

Ability to:

• Manage teams composed of analyst/programmers, web developers, project and training management staff, Call Center support staff and contractors.

• Utilize project development methodology tools, perform cost/pricing analysis on hosted client services.

• Establish long-term and short-term goals and objectives.

• Plan, assign and evaluate.

The Deputy Director of Information Technology (IT) Application Operations must exercise sound judgment and discretion at all times and be able to work with minimal supervision. The incumbent is also expected to make independent decisions and collaborate with the executive management team to meet agency needs, goals, and industry best practices. Must be able to work in an autonomous environment with excellent leadership and supervisory skills while using individual discretion in the interpretation and application of information technology policies, practices, and procedures. Incumbent is expected to advise the Director of IT and senior management of any problems, concerns or recommendations regarding issues.

During an emergency or disaster event, this position is classified as essential personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• Experience in Microsoft.NET framework, C#. web services, SQL programming (SQL Server Database).

• Experience in user interface (UI) development using .NET technologies, Javascript, web services, HTML5, XML. Knowledge of database design and table relations.

• Experience with cloud services (AWS and Azure). Experience with Case Management Systems, Jury Management Systems and e-Filing systems.

• Working knowledge of court operations at the magistrate and/or circuit court level. Experience with Web and App development tools.

• Experience in product development lifecycle, design, development, application testing procedures, quality assurance, product deployment procedures, web development, and the delivery of enterprise applications statewide.

Additional Comments

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children;

• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (Temporary positions have option to enroll);

• 15 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year;

• 15 days paid sick leave per year;

• Option to designate 10 days of earned paid sick leave per year as family sick leave;

• 13 paid state holidays;

• Paid Parental Leave; and

• Workers' Compensation Benefits.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The South Carolina Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, or disability.