Java Software Developer (Software Development Specialist 3)

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 87,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Information Services is leading modernization of the Hearings and Tracking Systems (HATS) within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The role focuses on refactoring legacy Java EE components and preparing for secure, scalable cloud deployment, working with architects, security teams, and stakeholders.

As part of a small, collaborative team, you will develop secure RESTful APIs, support full SDLC activities, and contribute to modernization work packages while ensuring

Qualifications

• 60 months combined work experience in requirements definition and approvals, code reviews, and ensuring development standards.
• 12 months work experience in JAVA as the primary technology.

Responsibilities

• Refactor legacy Java EE modules to align with enterprise architecture standards and cloud readiness.
• Develop and optimize secure RESTful APIs and service layers across the HATS suite.
• Support full software development lifecycle including design, testing, deployment, and documentation.
• Contribute to technical deliverables such as architecture docs, design specs, and modernization work packages.
• Participate in DevOps practices and automated deployment pipelines for migration.

Skills

JAVA

Code reviews

Requirements analysis

Development standards

Education

Associate core program in computer science or information systems

Undergraduate core program in computer science or information systems

Tools

Java EE

Job description

Office of Information Services

The Office of Information Services (OIS) works to support the business functions and the delivery of health, human, and employment services through the application of information technology. OIS supports the delivery of programs to millions of recipients through the development and round‑clock operation of automated information systems. Due to the number of end‑users and technologies supported, OIS is one of the largest and most complex IT organizations within Ohio state government. Learn more about the Office by visiting the ODJFS OIS webpage.

What You Will Do

As a Java Software Developer, you will be a key technical contributor in modernizing the ODJFS Hearings and Tracking Systems (HATS). These applications directly support legally mandated hearings, appeals processes, and critical program workflows across the state. The work you do will help ensure program integrity, compliance with state and federal regulations, and reliable service delivery to Ohioans.

This role centers on refactoring legacy Java EE components and preparing the system for migration to secure, scalable, cloud‑based architecture aligned with State of Ohio Enterprise Architecture standards. You’ll work within a small, collaborative team of Java EE developers and partner closely with architects, security teams, and business stakeholders. The environment is fast‑moving, modernization‑focused, and requires balancing new development with stabilizing existing components to support continuity of operations.

Expect to work with modern architectural patterns, containerization, API‑driven design, cloud deployment models, and DevOps practices while also navigating the complexities of a large legacy system that contains monolithic modules, aged dependencies, and custom integrations.

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Working as part of a small, supportive team of Java/Jakarta EE developers responsible for modernizing the HATS application suite.
• Refactoring legacy modules to align with State of Ohio Enterprise Architecture standards, including cloud readiness, security compliance, logging, monitoring, and identity management requirements.
• Supporting the full software development lifecycle: analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, documentation, and ongoing maintenance.
• Contributing to PMO‑required technical deliverables including architecture documentation, technical design specifications, refactoring plans, dependency assessments, and modernization work packages.
• Developing and optimizing secure RESTful APIs, integration endpoints, and service layers to support responsive, accessible front‑end experiences.
• Building proof‑of‑concept prototypes for cloud deployment and helping guide containerization and adoption of modern deployment patterns.
• Stabilizing existing legacy modules by decomposing monolithic components, resolving technical debt, improving performance, and ensuring business continuity during modernization.
• Participating in quality assurance activities, performance testing, defect remediation, and technical risk mitigation.
• Supporting DevOps practices and automated deployment pipelines to streamline the migration process.

Schedule

Full‑time.

Hours

Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location

This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS Facility in one of the following cities - Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant's home address.

James A. Rhodes State Officer Tower - 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Akron - 172 S. Broadway Street, Akron, OH 44308

Dayton - 6680 Poe Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414

Travel

Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

PN(s)

20039786.

The Ideal Candidate, At Minimum, Must Have The Following

OPTION 1

• 60 months combined work experience in any combination of the following: assuring requirements are defined and approved, performing code reviews and ensuring application development standards are met;
• AND 12 months work experience in the primary technology specified by the agency in the position description & job posting (JAVA).

OPTION 2

• Completion of associate core program in computer science or information systems;
• AND 42 months combined work experience in any combination of the following: assuring requirements are defined and approved, performing code reviews and ensuring application development standards are met;
• AND 12 months work experience in the primary technology specified by the agency in the position description & job posting (JAVA).

OPTION 3

• Completion of undergraduate core program in computer science or information systems;
• AND 36 months combined work experience in any combination of the following: assuring requirements are defined and approved, performing code reviews and ensuring application development standards are met;
• AND 12 months work experience in the primary technology specified by the agency in the position description & job posting (JAVA).

OPTION 4

• The equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 35. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $41.81 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below.

Pay Range 35

• Step 1: $41.81
• Step 2: $43.90
• Step 3: $46.00
• Step 4: $48.28
• Step 5: $50.66
• Step 6: $53.13
• Step 7: $55.72
• Step 8: $58.55
• Step 9: $61.49

Hourly

• $41.81
• $43.90
• $46.00
• $48.28
• $50.66
• $53.13
• $55.72
• $58.55
• $61.49

Annual

• $86,965
• $91,312
• $95,680
• $100,422
• $105,373
• $110,510
• $115,898
• $121,784
• $127,899

Months of Employment

• At Hire
• 6 Months
• 18 Months
• 30 Months
• 42 Months
• 54 Months
• 66 Months
• 78 Months
• 90 Months

Organization

Job & Family Services

Agency Contact Name and Information

[e-mail]

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO

Classified Indicator

Classified

Primary Job Skill

Software Development/Implementation

Technical Skills

Information Technology, Software development/implementation

Professional Skills

Active Learning, Results Oriented, Teamwork, Written Communication, Continuous Improvement

Primary Technology

Java 2 EE

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands‑on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.