Job Description
Are you a visionary IT professional looking to make a tangible impact on public infrastructure? Join the State of Illinois as a Senior Information Technology Specialist. We are seeking a strategic leader to drive innovation, enhance system security, and modernize our digital services for millions of residents.
In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between complex technical strategy and operational execution. You will be responsible for overseeing critical infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and mentoring a talented team of developers. If you are passionate about serving the public sector and want to work in a stable, high-impact environment, we want to hear from you.
Why Join the State Government?
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Generous pension plan and job security.
- Opportunities for continuous professional development and certification reimbursement.
- Work in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Responsibilities
- Lead System Architecture: Design, develop, and implement large-scale IT solutions that align with state strategic goals and modernization initiatives.
- Project Oversight: Manage the full project lifecycle (SDLC) for government projects, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
- Security & Compliance: Enforce strict data security protocols and ensure compliance with Illinois Information Security Practices Act and federal standards.
- Team Leadership: Mentor junior developers and IT staff, conducting code reviews and fostering a culture of best practices and collaboration.
- Vendor Management: Evaluate, select, and manage relationships with third-party vendors and system integrators.
- Legacy Modernization: Lead the migration of outdated legacy systems to modern, scalable cloud environments (Azure/AWS).
- Stakeholder Communication: Act as the primary technical liaison between government agencies and the public, translating complex technical concepts into actionable business requirements.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in IT systems analysis, software engineering, or project management.
- Certifications: Professional certification such as PMP, CISSP, ITIL v4, or AWS Solutions Architect is highly desirable.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in Python, SQL, Java, and cloud platforms (Azure or AWS). Strong experience with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of government contracting processes and federal/state compliance standards (FISMA, HIPAA).
- Problem Solving: Exceptional analytical skills with a proven track record of resolving complex technical issues under pressure.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present to executive leadership.