Application Specialist (Information Systems Specialist 7)

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Job Description:

Join the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and help make a difference for communities across the state!

We’re excited to announce an opening for an Application Specialist (Information Support Specialist 7)—a key role on our IT/Logistics team in Salem, Oregon. If you’re passionate about using technology to support meaningful work and strengthen statewide resilience, we’d love to hear from you!

The Department currently has an opening for one full-time Application Specialist (ISS7) within the IT/Logistics Department of OEM in Salem, Oregon. This is a full-time, permanent management service position with the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule.

Most weeks include three days in the office and two days working remotely, with adjustments as needed to support business priorities and emergency operations. Remote work is reviewed periodically to ensure we’re meeting mission needs.

What You’ll Do:

As an Application Specialist, you’ll take the lead in shaping how OEM and statewide partners use technology to work smarter, collaborate more effectively, and enhance emergency management capabilities. You will:

• Guide the strategic implementation, integration, and optimization of key enterprise applications.
 • Partner with internal teams, state agencies, local governments, counties, and tribal organizations to improve processes and deliver innovative solutions.
 • Combine big-picture planning with hands-on technical expertise to evaluate, select, or develop applications that support our mission.
 • Oversee implementation, training, and ongoing support to ensure tools are used effectively and consistently across the agency.

This role is an excellent fit for someone who enjoys blending strategy with technical problem-solving, collaborating with diverse partners, and helping teams get the most out of the tools that move our mission forward.

If you're looking for a role where your work directly contributes to Oregon’s preparedness, safety, and resilience—we encourage you to apply!

General duties:

• Responsible for overseeing the advanced customization, integration, and maintenance of applications and business processes to support complex business requirements.

• Research, makes recommendations, and develops plans for enterprise application investments to ensure that agency is innovative, meets agency needs, and aligns to Enterprise and agency strategy, policy, and best practice.

• Ensure high availability and reliability of support-related applications to prevent downtime that affects customer interactions. Coordinate with staff and vendors to lead the resolution of most escalated problems.

• Leads and/or participates in system projects to ensure that project benefits and deliverables are realized and aligned with Enterprise and Agency strategy and policy.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for deploying enterprise applications and tools needed for integrating multiple systems from multiple organizations (State, County, Federal, private).

• Develop comprehensive training programs and mentorship initiatives to build a culture of continuous learning and self-sufficiency among users.

• Interacts with Information Services team and agency staff to ensure continuity and customer satisfaction with all related tools and enterprise systems.

• Drives the adoption of new technologies and processes within the organization.

For a copy of the position description, please email [email protected].

The Benefits of joining Our Team

It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) to lead collaborative state-wide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters regardless of cause. To learn more about our team and the work we do, please visit Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) website.

We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to maintain a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or status as a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking.

Employee benefits include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• 11 paid holidays per year.

• 10 hours of vacation leave earned per month.

• 8 hours of sick leave earned per month.

• 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year.

• Pension and retirement programs.

• Click here to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

What do you need to qualify? Minimum Qualifications:

(a) Six (6) years of information systems experience in:
(agency will specify specific experience);
OR
(b) An Associate's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in information technology or related field;
AND
four (4) years of information systems experience in:
(agency will specify specific experience);
OR
(c) A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field
AND
two (2) years of information systems experience in:
(agency will specify specific experience);

OR

(d) Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field may substitute for all of the above.

What we are looking for (Desired Attributes): 

• Demonstrated experience in application development, including design, testing, and deployment.

• Proven ability to gather business requirements and implement large-scale technology solutions.

• Experience monitoring IT systems, maintaining operational integrity, and administering security controls.

• Strong vendor and relationship management skills, including contract administration and performance oversight.

• Excellent communication, coordination, and collaboration skills across both technical and nontechnical audiences.

• Ability to align technology systems and solutions with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

• Experience developing and delivering end-user training for software tools and systems

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 services (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, SharePoint, etc.). 

• Resume and Cover Letter

Note: You must clearly describe/demonstrate your experience in each area listed. Failure to provide this information may result in eliminating your application from further consideration. 

Additional information:

• The salary listed is the non- Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) qualifying salary. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary will reflect the 6.95% increase.

• Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.

• Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Justice Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. OEM does not offer visa sponsorship.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.

How to Apply:

• Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application for the position. Please ensure the work history and education section is complete. If you are a current state of Oregon employees, you must apply through your employee Workday account.

• Attach a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the qualifications and attributes for the position.

• If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact the recruiter, Samantha Hoyle, at [email protected] or 971-388-4742.

Helpful Tips:

• Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.

• This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.

• Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.

• Click here for Resources and a Job Support Page.

Veteran's Preference:

The OEM provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be sent a Workday “Task” to complete once you have submitted your application.  The “Task” will prompt you to provide the appropriate documentation for your Veterans’ Preference point selection. For more information, please go here: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx.

After you apply:

Log in to your Workday account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions, and make sure to complete these tasks or actions before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the “My Applications” section.