Address:  Office of the Director / Information Technology
1110 W. Washington Street, #450, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: 85,000.00 - 95,000.00 

Grade: 27

Closing Date: September 19, 2025

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for an Applications Developer, Senor Lead to join our Information Technology team. We are seeking an individual who is detail oriented, self-driven and able to program unique internal applications.

The Application Developer Senior/Lead is responsible for the full lifecycle of application development, including designing, developing, and enhancing new and existing software solutions in alignment with business and technical requirements. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who can identify and resolve complex development and production issues while maintaining a strong focus on quality, performance, and customer satisfaction.

Duties to include but not limited to:
• Design, develop, and enhance new and existing applications to meet functional and technical requirements.
• Lead technical planning, architecture design, and integration with enterprise systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex software, application, and network connectivity issues across multiple environments.
• Build and maintain Azure DevOps pipelines (CI/CD workflows, automated testing, deployments, and monitoring).
• Proactively identify and resolve production issues while maintaining high performance and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze and recommend improvements to system architecture, application code, and development processes.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including specifications, use cases, and test cases.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, analysts, and end users to align business needs with technical solutions.
• Mentor junior developers; provide technical guidance and support team knowledge sharing.
• Ensure application compliance with security, accessibility, and organizational IT standards.
• Participate in code reviews, sprint planning, and Agile ceremonies.
• Assist in onboarding, resource planning, and strategic IT initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned, including supporting departmental IT initiatives and enterprise-wide technology projects.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• Comprehensive knowledge of the software development life cycle (SDLC), Agile/Scrum, and DevOps practices.
• Strong understanding of system architecture, design patterns, and scalable enterprise application development.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks (Java, .NET, Python, JavaScript, Angular/React).
• In-depth knowledge of Azure DevOps (pipelines, repositories, artifacts, monitoring).
• Strong knowledge of network architecture and connectivity troubleshooting in both cloud and on-premise environments.
• Solid understanding of relational databases, SQL optimization, and data modeling.
• Knowledge of security best practices, performance tuning, and enterprise system integration.

SKILLS IN:
• Advanced programming and debugging skills, with the ability to write clean, maintainable code.
• Expertise in diagnosing and resolving application and network connectivity issues.
• Skilled in building and maintaining Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines and automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to support enterprise systems.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and collaboration skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Effective leadership and mentoring skills for supporting junior developers.

ABILITY TO:
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to lead development initiatives and contribute to strategic planning and resource management.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, tools, and business processes.
• Ability to analyze business requirements and translate them into functional, scalable, and secure application solutions.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process and code improvements and implement innovative, cost-effective solutions.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to train, coach, and support new hires and junior team members to build team capabilities.

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (e.g., Master's or PhD).
Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, C#, Python, JavaScript).
At least one of the following certifications: Azure Developer Associate; Azure Solutions Architect Expert; Certified Kubernetes Application Developer; CompTIA Security+; Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional
Experience with front-end and back-end frameworks (e.g., Angular/React, .NET, Spring Boot).
Strong understanding of RESTful APIs, databases (SQL/NoSQL), and cloud platforms.

Bachelor’s degree plus 8 years of demonstrated experience with Azure DevOps (pipelines, CI/CD, repositories) with strong background in application and network connectivity troubleshooting, experience with database design and enterprise integrations, and proven ability to lead technical projects (or equivalent experience).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.00%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.