Applications Architect

Background
In 1989 the Florida Legislature passed a law (section 790.065 F.S.) that led to the creation of what is now known as the Firearms Purchasing Program (FPP). The law applies to all firearms dealers, manufacturers and importers in Florida who sell firearms to persons who are not licensed dealers.
Each year the FDLE processes over 650,000 background checks related to firearms purchases in the state, with an estimated 125,000 concealed weapons checks.
Historically, FPP members would answer phone calls between 9am and 9pm every day, used excel spreadsheets to track requests, and then researched criminal history information. This process was lengthy and manual. Automation of this process became necessary for FDLE to be able keep up with the increasing volume of requests for background checks related to gun purchases and concealed weapons permitting. Today, firearm eligibility transactions average about 2.5 minutes to complete.
Section 790.06 of the Florida Statutes, includes a provision that requires FDLE to maintain a database of persons who are prohibited from purchasing a firearm based on court records of adjudications of mental defectiveness or commitments to mental institutions. The records are provided to FDLE by Clerks of Court.
FDLE also has many other systems needing additional resources to continue the level of support required.
FDLE requires the services of a full-time contract position to enhance the FES system and provide support to other FDLE Information Systems.



Description of Major Duties & Deliverables
FDLE requires the services of one Applications Architect for Business Systems Engineering software development initiatives. The Applications Architect will work under the direction of the FDLE's Data Processing Manager(s) to achieve the goals and objectives of the projects stated below.
FDLE requires the services of an Applications Architect with technical knowledge and experience in programming the J2EE/JAVA, JBOSS application server, MS SQL and ORACLE database environments.
The person in this function is considered an expert in all phases of system development and must have understanding of business, business insight and broad understanding of multiple business areas.
The person in this function will be responsible for technical research of technologies and methods for meeting the functional and nonfunctional requirements.
Applications Architect responsibilities include but may not be limited to the following:
Providing structured analysis of business processes
Functions as a technical consultant or researcher.
Technical research and evaluation of technologies, tools, databases, methods, etc.
Analysis of detailed requirements and documentation
Programming and implementing solutions for business requirements
Contributor on project planning, organization, implementation
Contributor to activity definition, activity sequencing, activity resource estimating, activity duration estimating, WBS development
Contributor to risk identification, tracking, analysis
Contributor to issue management and tracking
Communications management
Effective communication among project stakeholders,
Coordinate activities with FDLE staff required to support the project
Provide assistance to FDLE staff in the preparation of procurement documents, evaluation of proposals and contract negotiations;
Provide weekly status reports to the project manager



Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or other related field or equivalent work experience;
Minimum of 7 years of experience as pplications Architect on successful, enterprise level information technology projects;
Models and applies software engineering methods and techniques to the design, definition, development, evaluation, integration, and/or support of IT solutions.
Must have the ability to work independently or cooperatively with other software developers.
Functions as a technical consultant or researcher
Performs analysis and troubleshooting of system defects and issues.
Designs quality control and test procedures. Applies technical expertise to test system solutions.
Uses defined procedures to configure, test and debug software. Investigates, analyzes and resolves problems on software products.
With minimal supervision from more senior resources, handles portions of the projects, including services/products/technology solution evaluation/modification, data development, analysis, first draft written communications and client interaction.
Gathers and evaluates client capabilities and needs.
Assists with services/products/technology solution architecture design and installation.
Accountable to upper management for all phases of specific projects.
Experience with meeting facilitation and documentation;
Experience in delivering the project in the agreed schedule, to the correct technical specification (i.e. defined to meet user requirements) within the approved budget and other specified criteria
Experience with:

• Java 1.6 and higher
• J2EE (JSP, EJB, JPA/Hibernate)
• Java Frameworks like JSF, Wicket, Struts, Spring, etc
• Oracle 11g and higher, MS SQL Server, or MySQL
• Stored procedures, triggers, views, etc.
• JBOSS 5.0 and higher
• Strong Oral and Written Communication skills
• Experience with business analysis and gathering and documenting requirements
• Experience creating test plans, test cases, and performance testing
• Source code management software, example: CVS or Subversion
• Experience in integration of multiple systems or applications
• Experience automating data sharing processes

Preferred Knowledge Skills and Abilities
JOSSO 1.8.5 SMTP
IMAP
Unix-basic scripting and commands
Junit, log4j, Ant/Maven
MS Visio
MS SQL Server


The Applications Architect will report to the designated FDLE supervisor. The Applications Architect is expected to perform the tasks and specific assignments given by the FDLE supervisor.