Specialist- Expert

Title: Specialist- Expert

Location: Raleigh, NC (Onsite)

Duration: 12 Months

Interview Type: In Person Only

Position Overview

The NCDEQ Data Office is seeking a System Specialist - Expert to provide advanced technical leadership in support of the agency’s enterprise data platforms, applications, and analytical systems. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, scalability, and strategic evolution of data systems critical to NCDEQ’s mission of providing science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians.

The System Specialist - Expert serves as a senior technical authority and works independently while providing guidance to peers and cross-functional teams. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong analytical skills, and extensive experience supporting complex systems, development platforms, and data-centric applications.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Strategic Guidance

• Provide expert-level leadership in the design, support, and optimization of data platforms, system architectures, and business applications across NCDEQ.
• Guide teams on best practices for system usage, maintenance, performance tuning, and lifecycle management.
• Serve as a primary technical advisor to leadership, product teams, and program owners on system-related impacts and opportunities.

Application & Systems Expertise

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of system architecture and application development principles, enabling effective support of specialized systems used across the Data Office.
• Evaluate system requirements, integration points, and architectural dependencies to ensure stable and secure operations.
• Lead complex troubleshooting efforts, diagnosing systemic issues and implementing sustainable solutions.

Development, Analysis & Implementation

• Perform end ‑ to ‑ end analysis, design, and implementation of system enhancements, data workflows, and platform improvements.
• Conduct data analysis, system performance evaluation, and configuration tuning to support Data Office initiatives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive technical and user documentation.
• Oversee testing, validation, and deployment of system changes, ensuring alignment with agency standards and governance requirements.
• Support business process modernization and data transformation projects, collaborating with program areas and IT partners.

System Support & Continuous Improvement

• Lead production support efforts for critical systems and applications, including incident resolution and root ‑ cause analysis.
• Implement monitoring, quality assurance practices, and continuous improvements to enhance system reliability and usability.
• Contribute to data governance, security reviews, and compliance requirements for enterprise data systems.

Expected Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to work independently without supervision while leading complex technical initiatives.
• Proven leadership skills and ability to mentor and guide technical staff.
• Expertise with enterprise-scale data systems, development platforms, and technical architecture.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem ‑ solving capabilities.
• Advanced knowledge of system development lifecycles, modern architecture patterns, and data integration methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Extensive industry experience and/or advanced education in information systems, computer science, data engineering, or a related field.