APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

An Application Development Specialist owns the full build-to-support cycle for enterprise web and business applications. Most organizations carry a portfolio of internal systems that span departments - when those systems stall, break after an upgrade, or fail to meet evolving business requirements, the cost shows up in lost productivity and delayed decisions. What makes this role genuinely demanding is the dual expectation: deep technical ownership of SDLC deliverables alongside direct accountability to end-users, from requirements gathering through post-deployment training. Specialists in this function are often the last line of technical authority before an application goes live or a production issue escalates.

As the Application Development Specialist, you design, build, test, and sustain the web and business applications that internal departments and end-users depend on for daily operations, owning the work from requirements definition through production support. You operate within an IT team, coordinating with business stakeholders, external vendors, and in some organizations a Team Leader or IT Director, with your scope spanning multiple application domains simultaneously.

Career Impact: Hands-on ownership of the full SDLC, from architectural design through end-user training, builds the cross-functional technical authority that distinguishes senior application developers in a competitive IT market.

Business Impact: The applications you deliver and maintain directly determine whether internal departments can execute their core functions, making your output visible to stakeholders well beyond the IT organization.

Growth Opportunity: Experience spanning web application development, database design, and enterprise system integration creates a clear technical foundation for advancing into Application Architect or Senior Development roles.

Company Value: This position is structured for distributed work with only one required in-office day per week, offering flexibility that is built into the role from day one.

• Design, develop, and test web and business applications against documented specifications to meet departmental requirements.
• Implement database objects including stored procedures, views, functions, and indexes that support individual application logic.
• Maintain and enhance existing applications over time, applying upgrades, patches, and configuration changes to keep systems current.
• Troubleshoot production application issues and provide on-call support to restore system availability within established response windows.
• Review business processes with end-users and department stakeholders to identify improvement opportunities and translate them into technical requirements.
• Create and maintain technical documentation covering application architecture, code, and operating procedures.
• Coordinate development activities across IT teams and external vendors to advance project milestones on schedule.
• Conduct training sessions for end-users on new and revised applications, ensuring functional adoption.

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of web application development experience, with demonstrated ownership of projects from design through production deployment.
• Proficiency in server-side programming and front-end web development, including working knowledge of relational database concepts and query development.
• Ability to analyze business requirements from diverse stakeholders and translate them into structured technical solutions.
• Experience contributing to SDLC documentation, including test plans, system design documents, and post-implementation reviews.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects independently, prioritize under deadline pressure, and escalate blockers appropriately.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical end-users.

• Experience with enterprise reporting tools, stored procedure development, and database administration tasks within a multi-department environment.
• Familiarity with Agile or Scrum project methodologies, including sprint planning, backlog management, and iterative delivery practices.
• Prior experience supporting or integrating with enterprise systems across government, healthcare, or higher education operational contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior development staff or serve as a technical resource for programming colleagues.

• Application defect rate post-deployment, measured against test plan coverage completed before go-live.
• Mean time to resolution for production incidents, reflecting responsiveness during on-call and business-hours support windows.
• Percentage of project milestones delivered on schedule, tracking coordination across IT and business stakeholder groups.
• End-user training completion rate per application release, measuring adoption of new or revised systems.
• Documentation coverage ratio, reflecting whether all active applications have current technical and operational records.
• Typical tools: version control and project tracking (commonly Azure DevOps or equivalent); reporting platforms (commonly SSRS or equivalent).

• Base Salary Range: $75,000 to $105,000 annually, depending on experience and location
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 5% to 10% of base salary, where offered
• Equity: Rare at this level; stock options or RSUs uncommon outside tech-specific employers
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by organization
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays
• Common Perks: Remote or hybrid flexibility, professional development budget, and tuition reimbursement where available

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for this position, and employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check. All applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request.

The Application Development Specialist owns the full lifecycle of web applications and data management scripts, from development and testing through end-user training, within the Registrar's office. Working alongside end-users and cross-functional teams, this role shapes service quality by identifying process improvements and implementing new technology solutions that keep institutional operations current and effective.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and support web applications and data management scripts.
• Research new developments in web technologies and inform the office of critical software updates, new functionality, and emerging technologies.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues and perform software and hardware configuration, maintenance, and upkeep.
• Create documentation for custom applications.
• Meet with end-users to review business processes and identify opportunities to improve services.
• Test system upgrades, implement new solutions, and fulfill other Registrar responsibilities as assigned.
• Train end users on new and existing applications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• Working knowledge of relational databases, architectural design, development, and integration of data and applications.
• Familiarity with web development technologies such as Ruby on Rails, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/jQuery.
• Experience with server-side programming such as Ruby on Rails, Python, Java, or PHP.
• Experience with Banner enterprise systems, Oracle database technologies, and API consumption and creation.
• Windows troubleshooting skills required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, solution-driven mindset, and ability to train others on technical processes.
• Ability to work accurately, independently, and as a team member while prioritizing multiple responsibilities and meeting tight deadlines.

Embedded within the technology and business integration team, the Application Development Specialist delivers structured test planning and execution to validate that software systems meet organizational requirements. Working closely with business analysts and development teams, this role ensures testing outcomes are well-documented and defects are tracked to closure, supporting reliable system deployments across the organization.

Core Functions

• Analyze organizational processes and design systems to meet business needs.
• Apply business and functional knowledge, including testing standards and methodology, to meet overall test objectives.
• Assess business model integration with technology and analyze as-is processes and user requirements.
• Provide expertise in planning, constructing, and executing test scripts.
• Ensure all testing results are accessible and understandable, and track defects to closure while maintaining an up-to-date defect repository.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or above in Business Computer, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in software testing at a junior level.
• Experience in manual and/or automated software testing, system testing, integration testing, and/or user acceptance testing is a plus.
• Banking domain testing experience is a plus.
• Strong analytical ability to understand complex business and systems and provide suitable client solutions.
• Good command of English, both written and spoken.

Reporting to corporate IT leadership, the Mill Application Development Specialist develops, supports, and administers mill-based applications in accordance with corporate standards, serving as the hands-on point of contact for both corporate IT and outside contractors on mill initiatives. Partnering with regional teams and business stakeholders, this role shapes operational continuity by maintaining systems documentation, supporting disaster recovery, and driving process improvements for manufacturing technology environments.

Primary Duties

• Develop, support, and administer applications in accordance with corporate standards.
• Grow the capability to develop and support applications across multiple mills by region.
• Serve as a hands-on point of contact for corporate IT and outside contractors for mill initiatives and support.
• Respond to off-hour support requirements and participate in recommending and implementing system improvements.
• Maintain systems documentation and support disaster recovery plans for mill IT systems.
• Formulate and define the system's scope and objectives based on user needs and business system understanding under direct supervision.
• Participate in business process redesign and documentation as needed for new or upgraded technology.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field preferred.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in an information technology role.
• Experience in web and Windows application support for manufacturing, and application administration of OSIsoft PI, GE Plant Applications, and related tools.
• Knowledge of client-server systems at the mill and plant floor integration.
• Strong background in server and personal computer hardware, operating systems, and networking and security.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and provide technical guidance to less experienced personnel.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, self-motivated work ethic, and willingness to work in local and remote team environments.
• Good organization, planning skills, and ability to deal with ambiguity and changing priorities.

Sitting at the intersection of technical development and cross-departmental service delivery, the Application Development Specialist leads the full software development lifecycle from requirements analysis through 24x7 production support for multiple departments. Operating across database administration, systems documentation, and stakeholder collaboration, this role delivers reliable application solutions that meet departmental specifications and enable consistent organizational performance.

Duties

• Research and identify requirements of information system programmatic needs and analyze vendor-provided and internally developed solutions for multiple departments.
• Specify, design, develop, code, test, and implement software applications that support the goals of multiple departments.
• Provide analytical and technical guidance to team members and clients, and ensure that delivered applications meet specifications.
• Draft or assist with drafting minutes for circulation, record decisions, and document distribution of responsibilities.
• Create or assist in creating all systems development life cycle documents and necessary code and application documentation.
• Assist with database administration, maintenance, and report preparation as needed.
• Support applications on a 24x7 basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a closely related field, plus 4 to 5 years of experience.
• Experience in .NET, C#, HL7, Web API, Angular, and Knockout.
• Familiarity with Oracle, Cerner, and/or Epic a plus.
• Solid analytical skills to collect information from diverse sources, perform complex analyses, and design systems that cross departmental lines.
• Ability to develop and run database queries.
• Ability to manage projects in a self-starting, nearly autonomous fashion.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with empathy in interpersonal situations and professionalism with outside collaborators.
• Ability to work well on a team, communicate effectively, and support team members as needed.

A key member of the data and business intelligence team, the Senior Application Development Specialist builds and integrates BI tools with data warehouse solutions, developing ETL pipelines, dimensional models, and SSRS reports that translate business requirements into technical outputs. Collaborating across business, analytics, and IT stakeholders, this role owns enterprise-wide data architecture standards and ensures production systems deliver the reliable, well-documented reporting infrastructure the organization depends on.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Implement and integrate business intelligence tools with data warehouse solutions and configure and maintain scheduled ETL jobs.
• Participate in data warehouse and DataMart design, and develop code to create Dimensions and Facts.
• Analyze business requirements and functional specifications and translate them into technical solutions.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify, document, design, develop, and present output.
• Participate in developing corporate-wide strategies, processes, and standards for data architecture, storage, and reporting.
• Design, develop, and implement solutions using SSIS, Informatica, Qlik, and SSRS to support key business data and data warehouse needs.
• Perform performance tuning, optimization, exploratory data analysis, statistical analysis, and predictive analytics.
• Develop data integrations between internal and external sources, and provide production support and troubleshooting for existing systems.
• Review test scripts against functional specifications to ensure all business requirements and configurations are met.
• Develop user documentation and technical design documents.

Experience & Qualifications

• Master's degree or Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• 4 or 6 years of experience, respectively, in business intelligence application development using SQL.
• 3 years of experience in database development in a Microsoft SQL Server environment with Informatica, SSIS, and SSRS.
• 4 years of experience developing stored procedures, BI reports, and visualizations using SQL queries, SSRS, and SSIS.
• 3 years of experience in database management systems analysis using OLAP and ETL frameworks.
• 4 years of experience in data warehouse design, including dimensional modeling.
• 3 years of experience in design, build, testing, and maintenance of on-premises data structures such as data marts and data warehouses.

Sustained building product safety and market compliance depends on the Application Development Specialist, who leads fire testing programs, coordinates with external consultants and test labs, and ensures products and wall systems meet applicable building code requirements. Based within the PBS R&D function and representing the organization at industry forums such as ASTM committees, this role delivers the documented technical approvals and innovation contributions that keep integrated wall system development on track.

Functions

• Works closely with external fire consultants, test labs, and building code officials to understand fire testing and approval requirements and maintains product and wall system compliance to those requirements.
• Serves as subject matter expert guiding project teams in developing new product concepts and coordinates construction and fire testing of full-scale wall systems.
• Represents Client at external forums such as ASTM committees, industry conferences, and educational training sessions.
• Develop and coordinate large-scale fire testing for PBS R&D programs in collaboration with internal and external teams and other building product manufacturers.
• Ensure results are properly documented and incorporated into formal third-party approval documents.
• Monitor and actively participate in fire test standard committees to track upcoming changes in testing requirements.
• Update and maintain documentation related to product and wall system code compliance.
• Lead or participate in PBS innovation programs, particularly those developing integrated wall systems and transition solutions.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field, minimum, with working knowledge of construction, preferably commercial construction.
• Proficient at reading and understanding technical documentation, including construction drawings, building codes, and test methods.
• Demonstrated understanding of the scientific method, experimental design, data analysis, and documentation.
• Project management experience with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and adapt to change.
• Ability to work across job levels, functions, and construction trades to build an effective internal and external network.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with architects, general contractors, and construction trades and communicate their needs to internal stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to simplify complex technical information for varied audiences, strong interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.

As the Application Development Specialist, this role spans a full career ladder from coding and testing well-defined programs to leading complex, large-scale development efforts and providing long-term architectural guidance across production systems. The enterprise technology function relies on this work to maintain operational efficiency, mentor less experienced staff, and deliver client-facing solutions that span multiple interfaces, packages, and platforms.

Accountabilities

• Develop, code, configure, and test programs from clear specifications to meet business needs and ensure application functionality.
• Prepare documentation of procedures, flowcharts, installation, and operating instructions to support user training and troubleshooting.
• Provide daily operational support for production systems, including on-call support, and debug systems to resolve issues.
• Interface with business analysts, Client Account Managers, and clients to clarify requirements and contribute to test plan development and post-implementation reviews.
• Participate in systems design within established frameworks and coordinate with clients and colleagues to resolve issues and advance development projects.
• Participate in feasibility analysis for new systems and applications, and monitor the operating efficiency of existing systems to arrange proactive maintenance.
• Review, analyze, and modify systems, including encoding, testing, debugging, and installation for large-scale systems while maintaining documentation.
• Serve as technical lead or project manager on projects of varying size, mentor less experienced staff, and provide technical support and problem resolution for client inquiries.
• Lead feasibility analysis for new systems considering current and future architecture implications, and develop long-term plans for supported applications and systems.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance on complex development and implementation efforts and establish systems to monitor and maintain operational efficiency.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• Experience ranging from 0 to 1 years at the entry level, up to 8 or more years at the senior level.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages, tools, and technology environments, progressing from basic understanding to expert-level knowledge.
• Demonstrated understanding of requirement specification, design, coding, testing, and application development methods, including the Project Execution Process.
• Strong working understanding of installed systems and the bility to troubleshoot, resolve issues, and account for integration points with other systems.
• Expert understanding of application development processes, architectural issues, and broad technical architectures related to supported areas.
• Recognized leadership in the design and execution of complex business solutions involving multiple interfaces, packages, and platforms.

Application Development Specialist builds and maintains internal and external web applications for the Missouri Department of Conservation, covering front-end and back-end development using technologies including C#, .NET, MVC, and SSRS within the department's IT function. The work directly supports IT strategic direction by coordinating with state and departmental stakeholders through Azure DevOps, delivering well-documented applications and database objects that enable conservation program operations statewide.

Activities

• Develop web applications for Department of Conservation members and customers, covering both front-end development using CSS, HTML, Razor views, and back-end development using .NET NuGet packages, MVC, C#, JavaScript, and jQuery.
• Develop program code, test plans, and documentation for web-based applications and maintain and enhance those applications over time.
• Develop detailed and timely SSRS reports and create code using reporting tools and database objects such as stored procedures and views.
• Assist the Team Leader in establishing strategic direction for the Application Development function and develop the Application Development components of the IT Technology Plan.
• Design, create, and maintain database objects such as complex stored procedures, views, functions, indexes, and tables for individual applications.
• Develop and maintain programs and methodologies supporting internal hardware, software, and processes, including capacity planning, configuration management, and security.
• Coordinate development activities with Information Technology, MDC, and the State of Missouri on a project-by-project basis using Microsoft Azure DevOps with Visual Studio.
• Serve as a technical resource for programming staff, conduct customer training sessions, and assist with researching, testing, and implementing purchased software.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Math, Business, or a closely related field.
• At least 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience, with 1 or more years in C# and .NET web application development preferred.
• Knowledge of MVC, .NET, Entity Framework, and standard business and project management software, including traditional, Scrum, and Agile methodologies.
• Ability to prepare and understand project plans, including GANTT charts, and apply logic through the full application development lifecycle from development to production.
• Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.
• Ability to make independent decisions, establish effective working relationships across all groups, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team member on coding, research, development, and documentation tasks.