Application Architect & Production Support Coordinator (Computer Services Off 4)

About Us

At CSDS, we prioritize people—both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our mission is to redefine how Nova Scotians engage with government by creating accessible, reliable digital solutions centered around user needs.

In today’s tech-driven world, CSDS empowers government departments with essential digital solutions to meet Nova Scotians’ expectations. As a trusted partner across government, we enable departments to fulfill their mandates with secure, user-friendly services. From healthcare and education to public safety, we collaborate to transform how services are designed and delivered.

We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes. Our agile, data-driven approach ensures that digital services are both efficient and adaptable to Nova Scotia’s evolving needs.

Joining CSDS means contributing to work that makes a real difference. From providing vital tech support to healthcare professionals to strengthening cybersecurity and developing scalable digital platforms, you’ll play a key role in building a more inclusive, responsive government for Nova Scotians.

Together, we’re setting new standards for digital public service, delivering resilient solutions that meet today’s needs—and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

About Our Opportunity

You will join our Application Development and Production Support (ADPS) team, which provides application development, application lifecycle management, and production support services to partner departments and agencies across diverse business domains.

As an Application Architect & Production Support Coordinator (CSO 4), you will provide technical leadership in designing, developing, implementing, and supporting complex digital business solutions that align with organizational priorities, enterprise architecture, and technology strategy. Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, you will help ensure applications are secure, scalable, reliable, maintainable, and positioned to leverage modern software engineering practices.

In addition to leading solution architecture and production support coordination, you will help evolve development standards, improve software delivery processes, evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-assisted development capabilities where appropriate, and promote automation and continuous improvement across the application lifecycle.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a collaborative technical leader to contribute to a high-performing team responsible for developing and supporting a broad portfolio of custom-built and Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) applications for multiple government departments and agencies.

Primary Accountabilities

• Provide technical leadership throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), including project planning, effort estimation, solution architecture, coding, code reviews, testing, deployment, release management, and operational readiness.
• Coordinate application production support and releases, including deployment planning, production readiness, release coordination, incident escalation, and resolution of critical production issues. Coordinate communication with business clients, technical teams, vendors, and senior management during major incidents.
• Coordinate development projects and enhancement backlogs, working with project managers and business clients to assess, categorize, estimate, and prioritize enhancements, defects, and technical improvements. Ensure development activities remain aligned with business priorities, timelines, and available resources.
• Design, develop, and implement complex business applications by translating business requirements into scalable technical solutions. Define application architecture, data models, database design, and integration approaches, and provide technical direction to internal and external developers.
• Lead application architecture and technical governance, including participation in Architecture Review Board (ARB) and Change Advisory Board (CAB) processes.
• Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, security requirements, technology standards, and government policies.
• Identify and manage technical and security risks throughout the application lifecycle. Lead or coordinate Cyber Security Risk Management (CSRM) activities and promote secure coding, code reviews, testing, and other practices that protect application and data security.
• Drive continuous improvement and modernization by identifying opportunities for automation, standardization, reusable components, application modernization, and improved SDLC practices. Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies, development frameworks, and AI-assisted development capabilities where appropriate.
• Monitor application health, performance, and operational metrics to identify trends, address potential issues proactively, improve reliability, and support continuous service improvement.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to developers and technical staff, promoting knowledge sharing, architectural best practices, collaborative problem-solving, modern engineering practices, and continuous learning.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in application development and production support, including experience in a senior developer, technical lead, or application architecture role.
• Project & Work Coordination: Strong planning, coordination, and organizational skills, with the ability to estimate effort, prioritize and coordinate work, manage competing demands, and collaborate effectively with project managers, business clients, vendors, and technical teams.
• Application Development: Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and supporting enterprise business applications across the software development lifecycle, from requirements and solution design through development, testing, deployment, and production support.
• Application Architecture: Demonstrated ability to design, assess, and evolve application architectures and develop scalable, maintainable solutions while balancing business requirements, security, performance, integration, and operational considerations.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of application development technologies, databases, web applications, APIs, and system integration. Experience with Microsoft .NET technologies and SQL Server is highly desirable.
• Production Support: Demonstrated experience supporting business-critical applications in production, including troubleshooting complex issues, coordinating incident resolution, managing releases, and ensuring operational readiness and service continuity.
• Security & Quality: Good understanding of secure software development, application security, quality assurance, data protection, and IT governance, with the ability to apply these principles throughout the development and production lifecycle.
• Technical Leadership & Mentoring: Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentor developers, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote consistent and effective development and support practices.
• Analytical & Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex technical and business issues, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions.
• Communication & Documentation: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to senior management, business stakeholders, project teams, vendors, and technical staff, and to produce clear technical and project documentation.
• Continuous Learning & Innovation: Demonstrated ability to learn and evaluate emerging technologies and development practices, with an interest in application modernization, automation, and AI-assisted software development to improve application quality, productivity, and service delivery.
  
  We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
  
  

Valued Assets

• Experience with DevOps, CI/CD, automation, cloud-ready application design, and AI-assisted software development tools.
• Experience developing and supporting Java-based enterprise applications, including Struts, JSP/JSF, and Oracle databases.
• Experience with application modernization, system integration, and legacy technology transformation.
• Adaptability and a continuous-learning mindset, with the ability to quickly learn and apply emerging technologies and practices.
  
  

Equivalency

• Included, but not limited to graduate from a recognized Information Technology program, plus 5 years and 6 months of related experience.
• An equivalent combination of related training and experience may be accepted in lieu of formal education. Applicants claiming equivalencies must clearly demonstrate them in their application.
• Candidates must possess direct experience in business application development & support, with a minimum of two years in a senior role focusing on application development and production support.
  
  

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

You will be expected to work in the office full-time. Travel throughout the province may be required periodically. Standard business hours are 08:00 to 16:30.

Additional Information

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer or will result in the termination of your employment.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.