Subject Matter Expert

Statewide Agile Resources and Teams 2024–Labor Category – Subject Matter Expert

Position Description: The Subject Matter Expert defines the problems and analyzes and develops plans and requirements in the subject matter area for moderately complex-to-complex systems. This position performs the following tasks: Coordinates and manages the preparation of analysis, evaluations, and recommendations for proper implementation of programs and systems specifications including, but not limited to information technology, health care, education, public safety, social services, human resources, transportation, and environment.

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) is a strategic leader and domain expert embedded in the leadership team, responsible for aligning policy objectives, business requirements, and technical solution architecture across multiple agile teams. This role provides critical insight into health & human services programs (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Child Support, IES) and translates that knowledge into clear, actionable technical direction.

As the central liaison between program stakeholders, technical architects, and implementation teams, the SME will guide solution design, drive requirements prioritization, ensure regulatory alignment, and help shape modernization roadmaps.

• Serve as a bridge between business and technical teams, translating complex public program policies into executable solution strategies.
• Lead cross-functional design sessions involving architects, product owners, rules SMEs, data teams, and developers.
• Define end-to-end functional and non-functional solution requirements, ensuring alignment with business needs and technical standards.
• Interpret policy documents, federal regulations, and program manuals into technical requirements or decision logic.
• Support and review the implementation of business rules from a program compliance perspective.
• Provide leadership in identifying solution gaps, integration points, and risk areas across enterprise platforms.
• Represent technical delivery teams during planning sessions with state agencies, policy leads, and business owners.
• Help structure and review data flows between legacy and modern systems, including eligibility determination, benefit issuance, and external reporting.
• Coordinate with QA, DevOps, and Security teams to ensure solution alignment, performance expectations, and compliance (e.g., 508, HIPAA).
• Guide modernization planning and documentation efforts, including high-level solution blueprints, product roadmaps, and impact assessments.

Education: This position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in computer science, information systems, engineering, business, or other related scientific or technical discipline. (Note: A Master’s degree is preferred.)

General Experience: The proposed candidate must have at least seven (7) years of experience in the IT field.

Specialized Experience: The proposed candidate must have at least five (5) years of combined new and related older technical experience in the IT field directly related to the required area of expertise.

• 10+ years of experience in public sector technology, with deep exposure to health and human services programs.
• 5+ years working directly with state or federal eligibility systems, program modernization efforts, or cross-system solution planning.
• Expertise in programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Child Support, or Integrated Eligibility Systems (IES). The proven ability to lead and influence both technical and business-facing teams across enterprise-scale efforts.
• Familiarity with technical stacks such as Java, .NET, Corticon, PostgreSQL/Aurora, AWS, and Informatica.
• Experience in documenting functional requirements, user stories, and system interaction diagrams.
• Skilled in managing stakeholder expectations, navigating policy constraints, and advocating for feasible solutions.
• Strong understanding of rules-based systems, modular platform design, service-oriented architecture, and data governance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation of complex topics to non-technical audiences.

Note: Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.