IT ARCHITECT-APPLICATIONS

IT ARCHITECT-APPLICATIONS

Salary

$4,755.00 - $5,770.34 Biweekly

Location

500 Jefferson

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

39897

Department

Houston Information Technology Services

Division

HITS - ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SERVICES (EAS)

Opening Date

10/29/2026

Closing Date

11/19/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Department/ Division: Houston Information Technology Services/Enterprise Applications Services

Reporting Location: 500 Jefferson, Houston, TX 77002

Workdays & Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM*

• Subject to Change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The IT Architect - Fire Applications will serve as a technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and transforming enterprise application architectures to meet the City of Houston and Houston Fire Department's evolving technology landscape. This role requires strong expertise in modern application frameworks, integration strategies, and cloud-based solutions, while ensuring continuity and modernization of legacy systems. Key responsibilities include:

Application Architecture & Design

• Define and maintain enterprise application architecture standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Design scalable, secure, and high-performing application solutions aligned with business requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies to modernize application ecosystems.

Legacy System Support & Modernization

• Provide ongoing support for critical legacy applications to ensure stability and reliability.
• Develop and execute strategies to transform legacy architectures into modern, cloud-ready platforms.
• Lead migration efforts from monolithic systems to microservices or modular architectures.
• Implement modernization roadmaps that minimize operational disruption while improving performance and security.

Integration & Cloud Transformation

• Integrate legacy systems with modern platforms, APIs, and cloud services.
• Design and implement hybrid architectures that bridge on-premise and cloud environments.
• Optimize application architecture for scalability, performance, and compliance in cloud-native ecosystems.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Provide architectural guidance to development teams throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Establish governance processes for application design, coding standards, and deployment practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews and ensure compliance with security and regulatory standards.

Collaboration & Solution Delivery

• Partner with business stakeholders, IT leadership, and cross-functional teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Document architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and integration workflows.
• Mentor team members and promote knowledge sharing across the organization.

Performance & Security

• Optimize application performance through effective design and tuning.
• Implement robust security measures, including identity management, encryption, and compliance controls.
• Monitor and address architectural risks to ensure system reliability and resilience.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Strong proficiency in enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of application development technologies (.NET, Java, microservices).
• Notable expertise in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Highly skilled in API design, integration patterns, and middleware technologies.
• Previous experience in legacy system modernization and migration strategies.
• Deep understanding of security standards, compliance, and data governance.

Compliance & Security Requirements:

• CJIS Certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire) is mandatory.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check, including criminal history, and fingerprinting per Houston Police Department and CJIS standards.
• Candidate must maintain eligibility for access to sensitive law enforcement systems and data.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditioning.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field.

Holds multiple applications-specific technical certifications; recognized as having mastery of a particular technical discipline.

A Master's degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of experience.

EXPERIENCE:

At least ten (10) years of specialized experience in application systems analysis and development.

LICENSE

None

PREFERENCES

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION - NO

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 33

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov. To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832) 393-0450.

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-0450. (TTY 7-1-1).

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individuals sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02

What best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or beyond
• None of the above

03

Which area of concentration did you obtain your degree?

• Computer Science
• Management and Information Systems (MIS)
• Information Systems & Technology
• Data Science & Analytics
• Computer Information Systems (CIS)
• Information Systems (IS)/Information Management
• Computer Engineering /Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• None of the above

04

Which of the following best describes your experience in leading application systems analysis and developing application architecture?

• Less than 8 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• 11 years of experience
• 12 or more years of experience
• I have no experience

05

How many years of verifiable experience do you have supporting and managing Cloud Services?

• Less than 5 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 or more years of experience
• I have no experience

06

How many years of verifiable experience do you have modernizing legacy technologies?

• Less than 5 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 or more years of experience
• I have no experience

07

Please select which application development technologies you have are verifiable experience with. (Check all that apply).

• .NET Framework
• ASP.NET
• C#
• SQL
• SSRS/SSIS
• Web Services
• None of the above

08

How many years of verifiable experience do you have working with Visual Studio?

• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 or more years of experience
• I have no experience

09

How many years of verifiable experience do you have working with Data Analytics?

• Less than 3 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 or more years of experience
• I have no experience

10

Are you a current COH employee?

• Yes
• No

11

Please provide a list of all valid certifications you currently hold and their validity date(s) ("See Resume" will delay review of your application)

12

If you have a contract work history, then please provide the paying contractor company you have worked for and the jobsite your serviced. (If no contract works then put N/A)

Required Question

Employer City of Houston

Address 901 Bagby St

Houston, Texas, 77002

Website https://www.houstontx.gov/