Software Development Specialist 1 (#227-26)

Definition

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of Data Management & Reporting is seeking a qualified candidate for a Software Development Specialist 1 position. The position is located in Trenton, NJ.

Summary

The Analytics Engineer reports to the Administrative Analyst 4 in the Data Platform Unit and is responsible for building and maintaining SQL-based data pipelines, models, and reports that support the Children's System of Care. This role transforms raw data into clean, tested datasets in Azure Synapse for analytics and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities

• Code and unit test SQL components (queries, views, stored procedures) based on business requirements
• Design and develop data pipelines to ensure efficient and reliable ETL processes
• Build robust data models and architectures to support analytics initiatives
• Deliver well-defined, transformed, tested, documented, and code-reviewed datasets for analysis
• Maintain production data pipelines and reporting systems
• Debug data quality issues and implement error-handling processes
• Prepare test data for unit and integration testing
• Test and verify function and performance of new datasets and changes to existing queries
• Validate data accuracy between the application (CYBER) and the data warehouse (Azure Synapse)
• Implement data validation and monitoring processes to ensure data quality and accuracy
• Follow pre-defined test plans for data integration work
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand analytics needs and deliver comprehensive reports, dashboards, and updates
• Identify and implement optimizations to enhance query performance, reduce processing time, and increase overall productivity
• Modernize existing SQL reports (optimize queries, improve logic, update documentation)
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for all datasets, queries, and data pipelines
• Participate in code reviews to ensure quality and adherence to best practices
• Communicate findings, recommendations, and conclusions to technical and non-technical audiences
• Provide support for ad hoc data requests and analysis

Requirements

• Must have: SQL proficiency (intermediate+); knowledge of ETL processes, data integration, and data warehousing concepts; understanding of data modeling and database design principles; experience with program development and testing tools; strong problem-solving skills and ability to think critically and analytically; knowledge of data quality best practices; Python or other scripting languages for data manipulation and automation; excellent communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present insights to business stakeholders
• Preferred: Experience with Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory, or other cloud data warehouses/platforms; T-SQL and/or PL/SQL; Data visualization tools (Power BI or Tableau); MS Excel for data validation and analysis; MS Access or other desktop database tools; Python or other scripting languages for data manipulation and automation; Business analysis or requirements gathering experience; Experience with distributed computing frameworks (Spark, Databricks) or big data technologies; Familiarity with workflow orchestration tools (Azure Data Factory, Airflow)

Qualifications

• Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in programming, systems programming, computer analysis, or data engineering.
• Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
• Possession of a master's degree in an information technology field.

Benefits

• Alternative Workweek Program
• Deferred Compensation
• Health, Dental and Life Insurance
• Flexible and Health Spending Accounts
• Pension
• Telerecruitment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Benefit Leave (Vacation, Sick, Administrative Leave)
• 13 Paid Holidays