Software Development Engineer

Description

The ITS - Business Application division is seeking a new Software Development Engineer to join their team.  The Software Development Engineer designs and develops features, tools and applications used for enhancing King County Library System (KCLS) capabilities. In this role, the developer creates business and technical requirements, estimates projects/tasks, creates prototypes, develops application and integration software and features, prepares test cases and tools, tests software and generates supporting documentation. The Software Development Engineer understands the underlying technologies in use and works to ensure strong technical integration and high quality assurance. Staying informed of the technical and feature direction of open source applications and communication/collaboration with open source communities is a responsibility of this role.

This position collaborates with third-party software development, database support and open source partners to develop technically appropriate solutions. The developer will also work closely with the Quality Assurance Analyst to develop and test/fix/implement said solutions.

General Position Summary

The Software Development Engineer is responsible for designing and developing features, tools, and applications to enhance KCLS software capabilities. This position participates in the full software solution development cycle from inception to completion, ensuring that solutions meet all KCLS business needs and requirements. This  role is the principal consultant for team members and vendors needing assistance and support with technical design, development, testing and the implementation of new software programs.

 About King County Library System (KCLS):

 KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.

Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.

The King County Library System values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. KCLS encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities and veterans. KCLS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, KCLS will ensure that persons with disabilities and impairments are provided reasonable accommodations when needed to participate in the job application or interview process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position.

To request accommodation, please call 425-369-3224

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties:

• Researches, designs, implements, tests, documents, and delivers software applications, tools, systems, and services. 
• Maintains and manages all software applications, tools, and systems after implementation.
• Analyzes, consults and advises on existing, alternative, and emerging technology products and solutions regarding the feasibility, potential standardization, and financial impact to the organization.
• Leads system improvement development life cycle (SDLC) processes, including continuous integration and delivery, automated testing, and deployment. 
• Ensures compliance with KCLS policies, procedures, and standards. 
• Technical lead in establishing standards, methods and specifications for the development, improvement, and maintenance of KCLS’s software policies, procedures, applications, tools, systems, and services. Analyzes user requirements for system features and functionality. 
• Defines and maintains software requirements and procedures documentation for the effective design, installation, configuration, operations, and management of KCLS software applications, tools, systems, and services.
• Implements, follows, and measures performance using industry-standard software development methodologies and best practices. 
• Conducts training sessions and provides mentorship to junior developers.
• Coordinates and monitors vendor relationships and performance on outsourced projects. 
• Works collaboratively as a team member with third-party software development teams, following Agile methodologies to deliver large-scale releases. 
• Works independently as an individual contributor on smaller, less complex solutions.
• Collaborates with and contributes to open-source communities where appropriate to leverage existing code libraries and optimize KCLS’s utilization of community code. 
• Develops statistical tools and measurement criteria as directed by the Business Applications Manager.

 
Secondary Duties:

• Contributes to strategic planning as directed by the Business Applications Manager.
• Assists with annual budget preparation by providing estimates for needs and resources.
• Creates and manages Linux virtual machines for development, testing and production.
• Serves as liaison and facilitator between assigned business units, consultants, customers, and management to assist in addressing and resolving issues.
• Prepares and maintains technical documentation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Organizational Competencies:

Valuing Diversity

Manages relationships with all kinds and classes of people inclusively and equitably; respects, values, and encourages the unique dimension each employee adds to the organization and each member of the community brings to the whole. Seeks opportunities to learn about differences.

Customer Focus

Primarily focused on customer needs, able to deliver high quality, value added services. Constantly strives to find new ways to increase customer satisfaction and understanding, foster equitable services, and forge meaningful connections.

Ethics, Values and Judgement

Exercises best judgment, trustworthiness, and professional standards of conduct; consistently demonstrates organization’s values, moral principles, and accountability through behavior, character, and action. Defends intellectual freedom and confidentiality.

Professional and Technical Knowledge

Demonstrates proficiency in professional and technical skills and/or knowledge in position-related areas; purposely keeps up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise, in order to better foster personal success and connections for others.

Job Specific Competencies

Communicates Effectively 

Conveys ideas/information in a way that is clear, engaging, and suitable to the audience. Main point of their message is apparent. Listens more than they speak, responds appropriately. Seeks influence. 

Vision and Strategic Thinking

Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, and values; holds big picture view while setting priorities, often uses breakthrough strategies to find the way forward.

Work Quality 

Inspires and strives for excellence in all aspects of work including setting high standards of performance for self and others; ensures that results are complete and accurate; exhibits attention to detail. 

Accountability

Holds self, direct reports, and others accountable for achieving intended outcomes; follows up and monitors progress to ensure that things stay on track; models organizational values and norms.

Supplemental Information

JOB SCOPE

This role works cooperatively on large and complex projects and independently for smaller solutions under the supervision of the Business Applications Manager. This position is a subject matter expert regarding software systems, applications, and services, facilitating the full software solution cycle from inception to completion.

IMPACT

This role’s impact is to identify, assess, and implement software solutions that improve KCLS library operations and services. 

BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

 This position will interact with ITS team members, KCLS leaders and staff, and vendors.

Desired Minimum Qualification

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, information technology or software engineering.
• Five (5) years of experience in software design or systems analysis. 
• One (1) year Experience with Evergreen, or skill with both agile and waterfall methodologies and use of source control management tools, preferred. 
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the classification will be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Code development with object-oriented design and development.
• Demonstrated proficiency with modern web development technologies such as Typescript, Angular, Bootstrap CSS, Perl and Linux,
• Experience with and SQL, specifically PostgreSQL.
• System performance evaluation and troubleshooting.
• Works effectively with diverse populations and a wide and varied customer base.
• Listening and communications skills with diverse populations and team members. 
• Presentation and public speaking with groups of all sizes. 
• Makes independent decisions using critical thinking.
• Responds to requests in a proactive manner.
• Manages work in an environment with many interruptions.
• Works well under pressure from deadlines or changing priorities.  

 

Professional Licenses and Certifications

• None.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job the employee will: Constantly sits and seldom walks and stands.
• Constantly use hands/fingers for frequent keyboarding which may be repetitive up to occasional.

• Extensive PC monitor work is required. 

• Frequently will reach up to chest level with hands and arms.
• Occasionally lift to 10 pounds and seldom up to 35 pounds.
• Seldom push/pull carts using light force.

 
Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a typical office environment.
• Incumbent may be permitted hybrid telework schedule upon request.