Applications Development & Technical Lead

Role Description

KL Scott and Associates is seeking an experienced Applications Development & Technical Lead to support a federal government client project. In this role, you will lead the design, development, operations, and maintenance of a suite of technical assistance (TA) tools and public-facing websites, including the ServiceNow-based case management solution and Drupal-based websites. You will direct an agile development team, ensure compliance with federal security and accessibility standards, and perform as the technical subject matter expert for the delivery team. You will partner with client Product Owners and the client IT teams to modernize and continuously improve mission-critical systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and critical subject matter expert for all project tools and websites, directing the design, development, configuration, testing, deployment, and operations & maintenance (O&M).
• Lead O&M of the ServiceNow-based case management system across development, staging, and production environments on the FedRAMP GovCloud managed platform, including COTS customization, major and minor releases, and user account management.
• Oversee maintenance and enhancement of the Drupal-based client website (hosted on AWS US Public Cloud), including Drupal version migrations, search-function improvements, link-checking, and upgrades to searchable databases.
• Direct iterative, agile human-centered design (HCD) improvements to existing sites, including user research, usability testing, wireframes and prototypes, and adoption of the U.S. Web Design System and client established Digital Toolkit standards.
• Manage the full software development lifecycle using an agile framework and ceremonies, coordinating cadence and priorities with client Product Owners.
• Ensure all systems maintain their Authority to Operate (ATO), meet FedRAMP requirements, and align with Zero Trust efforts and applicable NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 security controls.
• Develop, deliver, and track Service Level Agreements (SLAs) governing system uptime (99% objective), defect resolution, and incident reporting.
• Lead change management, configuration management, disaster recovery (DR), and continuity of operations (COOP) activities consistent with NIST SP 800-34 Rev. 1 and Federal Continuity Directive 1.
• Ensure all digital content and applications comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Commit all developed code and content to COR-designated Git repositories, maintain current technical and client SDLC documentation, and support transition to government-approved hosting environments as directed by the client program lead.
• Provide help desk and IT support oversight, deliver user and system administration training to the ServiceNow based case management system, and coordinate with ServiceNow, AWS, and client IT teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of 8 – 10 years of experience leading application development and O&M for enterprise or federal web systems, including at least 3 – 5 years in a technical lead or comparable leadership role.
• Hands-on experience administering and customizing ServiceNow, including Customer Service Management (CSM) and platform configuration.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining Drupal-based websites and supporting infrastructure.
• Experience deploying and maintaining applications in cloud environments such as AWS US Public Cloud and FedRAMP GovCloud.
• Working knowledge of federal security and compliance frameworks, including FedRAMP, ATO processes, NIST SP 800-53, and Zero Trust architecture.
• Experience leading agile development teams and applying agile ceremonies and human-centered design practices.
• Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements and the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).
• Ability to obtain and maintain the security and suitability requirements in accordance with the federal government Tech Security, Privacy, and Standard Language for Acquisition.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and maintain a U.S.-based work location as required by the contract.
• Must have the ability to obtain Public Trust clearance for federal government agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or its Operational Divisions.
• Familiarity with the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program or early childhood / human services domains.
• Experience with IT SDLC processes, the HHS Digital Toolkit, and NextGen Secure Cloud hosting environments.
• Relevant certifications such as ServiceNow Certified System Administrator, AWS certifications, PMP, or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).
• Experience integrating PIV / HHS Access Management System (AMS) authentication and multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions.
• Experience with DR/COOP planning and FedRAMP Rev. 5 annual IR/CP testing and reporting.

Core Competencies

• Technical leadership and team direction across concurrent, multi-platform systems.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management with government Product Owners and Program Managers.
• Analytical problem-solving with timely risk and issue escalation and mitigation.
• Rigorous attention to compliance, quality, security, and documentation.
• Adaptable, portability-focused system design to support future government-directed migrations.
• Effective collaboration across cross-functional and cross-vendor teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K
• "Discretionary" PTO
• Professional development opportunities
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment

Working Conditions

Contract staff may be located anywhere within the United States. This position supports remote / home-office work, with a physical presence maintained in the United States. Occasional travel may be required at the direction of the Government in conjunction with a specific requirement (e.g., meetings in Washington, D.C., participate in conferences, events, etc. across the nation).

If you are a results-driven professional and have the above qualifications, we encourage you to apply for this role. Join our team and contribute to our continued growth and success. To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.

K.L. Scott & Associates is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.