IT Architect

It’s fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing! We’re committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. The IT Architect designs, plans, and governs technical solutions that enable secure, reliable, and efficient City operations across enterprise applications, data/analytics, infrastructure, networking, cloud platforms, information security, and end-user technologies. The role partners with IT teams and business stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable architecture, standards, roadmaps, and reusable patterns; leads or advises delivery teams during implementation; and documents solutions to ensure maintainability, compliance, and long-term value. Work is performed under general direction with latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Application/Integration Architect Defines application and API patterns; integrates COTS/SaaS; ensures performance, security, and lifecycle standards. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills; the list below is illustrative: Partner with stakeholders to elicit and refine business and technical requirements; convert them into target architecture, solution designs, and implementation plans. Define, maintain, and advocate technology standards, reference architectures, and reusable patterns (security, integration, data, networking, cloud, observability, automation). Produce architecture deliverables (diagrams, logical/physical models, interface contracts, data maps, migration plans, runbooks) and keep them current. Guide solution delivery across the lifecycle: design reviews, configuration, integration, testing, change control, and readiness for operations; support post‑go‑live stabilization. Embed security‑by‑design practices (identity, least privilege, encryption, hardening, monitoring) and ensure alignment with applicable compliance frameworks (e.g., CJIS, HIPAA, PCI). Engineer for reliability, performance, capacity, and cost efficiency; leverage automation/IaC, scripting, and orchestration to reduce toil and improve consistency. Contribute to disaster recovery and business continuity strategies, including backup, restore, failover, and resilience testing. Evaluate and select products/services; manage technical aspects of vendor engagements and validate changes by contractors and service providers. Mentor peers and provide technical leadership within and across teams; share knowledge through documentation, training, and communities of practice. Create and/or oversee data flows, pipelines, and storage designs as needed to support analytics, reporting, integration, and operational use cases. Participate in incident response for complex issues; drive root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement of standards and architectures. Perform other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field OR four (4) additional years of directly related experience in lieu of a degree. Seven (7)+ years of progressive IT experience with at least three (3) years in architecture, design, or senior engineering roles; Senior IT Architect typically ten (10)+ years with broad, multi‑domain experience. A Master’s degree may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience. Knowledge of: Enterprise platforms and practices across one or more domains: networks (LAN/WAN, wireless, firewalls, load balancers), cloud services (e.g., Microsoft Azure), virtualization, operating systems, identity and access, databases and data platforms, integration technologies, observability/monitoring, IT service management, DevOps/IaC, and security architecture. Data/analytics concepts: data modeling (conceptual/logical/physical), data warehousing/lakes, ETL/ELT, data quality, metadata management, BI/reporting, and pipeline design. Compliance and security standards and practices relevant to municipal operations (e.g., CJIS, HIPAA, PCI). Skills in: Translating business requirements into secure, scalable technical designs and actionable implementation plans. Building well‑designed, documented systems (applications, networks, data stores, pipelines) that improve decision‑making and operational outcomes. Scripting and automation (e.g., PowerShell, Python) to improve productivity and reliability. Leading technical reviews, guiding teams, communicating with non‑technical audiences, and collaborating across departments and vendors. Troubleshooting complex issues, conducting root‑cause analysis, and implementing preventive improvements. Preferred Skills: Experience designing, developing, and supporting enterprise integrations across COTS applications, SaaS platforms, databases, APIs, and vendor‑hosted systems. Experience using Azure Logic Apps as a primary middleware and integration platform for connecting enterprise applications, automating workflows, and managing system‑to‑system data exchange. Experience with API design, REST APIs, web services, file‑based integrations, event‑driven integrations, and secure data exchange patterns. Ability to document integration architecture, including interface contracts, data maps, source‑to‑target mappings, dependencies, error handling, and operational support procedures. Ability to evaluate and recommend integration approaches based on security, reliability, maintainability, performance, cost, vendor support, and long‑term lifecycle needs. PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS & SOFT‑SKILL EVALUATION FACTORS Technical skills remain primary; the following behaviors will be considered during performance evaluations for Architects and Senior Architects: Positive Attitude & Collaboration: Lifts others, recognizes contributions, and leads peers informally when needed. Initiative & Independence: Proactively solves problems, stays productive without close direction, and takes ownership for outcomes. Adaptability & Learning: Adapts to change, learns continuously, and embraces feedback. Customer Support Mindset: Provides quality support to internal customers and partners; communicates clearly and respectfully. Attentiveness & Listening: Actively listens, seeks clarity, and contributes thoughtfully to discussions. Leadership Behaviors (for senior roles): Vision, decision‑making, communication, empathy, accountability, innovation, conflict resolution, integrity, and strategic thinking. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Valid Class “C” Texas driver’s license required. Out‑of‑state license holders must have a valid license and provide a three‑year driving history. One or more professional certifications relevant to assignment preferred (examples): Microsoft Azure (e.g., AZ 700/AZ‑305/AZ‑104), AWS/Azure Solutions Architect, Cisco (e.g., CCNP/CCIE), Security+ or equivalent; ITIL Foundation; PMP/Project+; TOGAF. Time‑bounded certification requirements may be specified per posting. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT Normal office environment with standing, sitting, walking, and standard computer use; occasional lifting, carrying, and on‑site work in data centers or equipment rooms as needed. May require after‑hours work for changes, incidents, or maintenance. Hiring Range $96,536.96 - $120,931.20, annually. Regular‑Full time Regular Full‑time. #J-18808-Ljbffr