Job Summary
The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia seeks an Automation and Application Solutions Developer within the Shared Administrative Services Information Technology team, serving the district court clerk’s office, chambers, and probation office. The role entails analyzing, designing, and developing both user and system needs for the court. The incumbent will design, develop, and support low-code/no-code applications, court specific applications, automated workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, and critical business systems. Responsibilities include creating project plans, executing complex system changes, embedding automation into operations, and delivering projects on time, within scope, and to the court’s satisfaction. The court handles proceedings in Beckley, Bluefield, and Huntington, with its main office in Charleston, West Virginia. It employs over 100 personnel supporting five active Article III judges, two senior Article III judges, and three full-time magistrate judges. As a component of the judicial branch, the court sets its own employment policies, including remote work and performance management. Location: Charleston, WV 25301.
Representative Duties
- Provide consultation and technical guidance to judges, court unit executives, and staff on modern technologies that enable automation and process improvement.
- Advise on technology solution purchasing, Power Platform licensing, and software architecture approaches.
- Design, develop, and support solutions using Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse, .NET, Python, and PowerShell.
- Administer IIS and Windows web services, handling advanced configuration, security management, performance optimization, and operational support for production systems.
- Design and implement Robotic Process Automation solutions for manual and repeatable workflows.
- Integrate systems using API-based interoperability and secure authentication strategies.
- Design, write, and optimize complex SQL queries and database objects; perform full-scope SQL database administration including performance tuning, security, backup and recovery, and capacity planning.
- Recommend technical strategies for automation, governance, and AI adoption to support mission-critical systems and processes.
- Maintain open communication with other IT court personnel to stay current on developments and modern solution platforms.
- Assist with system troubleshooting, automation failure scenarios, and root-cause corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain secure governance practices for Power Platform, databases, and cloud or on-prem systems.
- Design, modify, and implement long-term technology improvements to minimize disruption to court operations.
- Develop and manage data pipelines, data models, and ETL processes for business intelligence and reporting.
- Develop prototype applications integrating AI and automation platforms.
- Lead projects from inception to delivery, including detailed timelines and resource planning.
- Perform cost-benefit analysis for emerging technologies and modernization initiatives.
- Provide guidance and support to peers and other technical personnel on application development and automation workflows.
- Offer end-user support for remote hearings systems, courtroom technology, and related technical support as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Appointments at CL-27 require either two years of specialized experience or completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following superior academic achievement criteria:
- Overall GPA of 2.90 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Ranked in the upper third of the class
- 3.5 GPA or better in a field related to the position
- Election to Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, or another eligible national honor society
- Completion of one academic year (18 semester or 27 quarter hours) of graduate study in a related field
For CL-28, applicants must have two years of specialized experience or completion of a master’s degree or two years of graduate study (27 semester or 54 quarter hours) in a related field.
- Specialized experience includes progressively responsible work designing, developing, implementing, and supporting computer systems, including projects involving planning applications, automating workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, and other mission-critical systems.
Additional qualifications include:
- Attention to detail with strong organizational and time management skills to manage multiple projects under strict guidelines
- Excellent problem solving and critical thinking abilities
- Strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills to explain technical concepts clearly
- Professional demeanor, mature judgment, dependable and flexible team member
- Ability to independently analyze and resolve problems in complex systems
- Occasional travel, including overnight, may be required
- Lifting and moving moderately heavy items such as computer equipment may be required
Court-Preferred Skills
Designing and supporting applications, automated workflows, and AI-enhanced solutions is preferred. Knowledge of and proficiency with Microsoft 365, Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse), .NET, Python, and PowerShell is preferred.
Employee Benefits
- Paid annual leave of 13 days per year for the first three years, 20 days after three years, and 26 days after fifteen years
- Paid sick leave of 13 days annually
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Federal Employees Retirement System defined benefit retirement program
- Thrift Savings Plan with up to 5 percent employer matching
- Health, vision, dental, and life insurance programs
- Flexible Benefit Program with pre-tax contributions for health care and dependent care expenses
- Employee Assistance Program with no cost counseling and work-life services
- Regular salary increases based on performance and cost of living adjustments
- Learning and Development Tuition Assistance
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
- Onsite physical fitness facility
- Paid parking
- Part-time telework available after a training period based on workload needs and supervisor approval
Information for Applicants
The United States District Court is part of the Judicial Branch of the federal government. A federal employee must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States.
Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments and are at-will employees. This position requires mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) for net pay. Employees must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. The selected candidate will undergo a background check, including FBI fingerprinting, and may be appointed provisionally.