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State Agency, Nonprofit Recruiting for Solution Architects

The state position is classified as IT Specialist II; the similar open position with the nonprofit is described as both "solutions architect" and "consulting engineer."

A large state agency and a high-profile nonprofit organization are recruiting to fill key positions in the general category of solution architecture.

The state Department of Health Care Services is seeking an Enterprise Solution Architect to develop and maintain “the enterprise architecture policies, principles, standards, frameworks and reference architectures, in addition to working with business partners to ensure that all phases of DHCS projects align to them,” says the job posting, which classifies the position as IT Specialist II. The incumbent “facilitates the Enterprise Architecture Office’s (EAO) role in the review and approval of IT project proposals (including solution alternatives) under California Department of Technology SIMM 19 Stage/Gate Model project lifecycle process,” the listing says.

The Enterprise Solution Architect is a liaison between enterprise architecture and solution architecture and ensures that “all development and implementation patterns and anti-patterns are sound and reusable” and that the architectural concerns of projects are balanced with the overall concerns of the enterprise. The incumbent “helps program and project managers during the discovery, design, plan and implementation phases of enterprise solutions, services, processes or components.”

The position reports to the Chief Enterprise Architect (IT Manager I) and has no supervisory responsibilities but has broad independent responsibility and discretion over the solution architecture of in-flight and future projects. About 40 percent of the job duties are considered “Enterprise Architecture Project Assurance”; 30 percent considered “Enterprise Services Maturity”; 15 percent defined as “Maintain and Mature the Enterprise Architecture (EA) Repository”; 10 percent is supporting the EA Office Program; and 5 percent for other duties.

The job has a monthly salary range of $6,777 to $9,081, and more information and an application link can be found online. The application deadline is Monday.

The second position is being recruited for by Code for America, the nonprofit that seeks to use technology to improve government. The “consulting engineer” position, which CfA also describes as “solutions architect,” is focused on criminal justice and the Clear My Record program.  

“The vision for Clear My Record is for government to automatically clear all eligible criminal records so people can pass routine background checks to access jobs, housing, and educational opportunities from which they are typically excluded,” CfA says in the job posting. “We work at the intersection of technology, design, and policy, and are working to expand, streamline, and automate the criminal record clearance process to clear all eligible criminal records in the U.S. Clear My Record is national in scope, and the Consulting Engineer will play a critical role in our effort to expand our work to states across the country, representing Code for America in a variety of government, partnership, foundation and policy domains.”

The consulting engineer will “help us facilitate technical collaboration with government partners as we roll out Clear My Record across the country,” the posting explains. “In this role, you’ll spend time with key government agencies to build rapport with their technical team, understand their technical needs, and develop a shared understanding of the role that Clear My Record can play in helping them implement laws that expand, streamline, and automate the record clearance process. You’ll also work closely with members of our multidisciplinary team and act as a conduit for the exchange of technical ideas with Clear My Record engineers. You’ll be the first Consulting Engineer at Code for America, so our ideal candidate will also be excited to be a trailblazer in this new role and help us define the contours of it over time.”

The role is based in San Francisco or remote, include 30 to 50 percent travel, and will report to the Chief Technology Officer. “Extra credit” is given to applicants who have experience working with or in government and to those with personal or professional experience within the justice system, social safety net, workforce training or other mission-relevant government services.

CfA does not disclose the salary for this position, and no application deadline is listed. 

The organization has a number of other executive-level positions for which it's recruiting. More information is available on its website. 

Dennis Noone is Executive Editor of Industry Insider. He is a career journalist, having worked at small-town newspapers and major metropolitan dailies including USA Today in Washington, D.C.