Job Description

Ready to make a real difference in your community? The Iowa Judicial Branch is seeking a Software Developer with strong SQL and Oracle Application Express (APEX) skills to design, build, and support the applications that keep Iowa’s court systems running.

Reporting to the IT Manager – Software Development and QA, this position designs, develops, tests, supports, and maintains software systems that support the Iowa Judicial Branch’s operations. The role delivers reliable, maintainable, and well-documented solutions while working closely with support teams and vendors to ensure system stability, issue resolution, and continuous improvement across the application portfolio.

This is a hands-on development role focused on:

• Building and maintaining applications on the Oracle Application Express (APEX) platform.
• Writing efficient, well-structured SQL and PL/SQL against Oracle databases that support judicial operations.
• Partnering with application support to diagnose and resolve production data, performance, and functional issues.
• Delivering well-documented, maintainable solutions that strengthen long-term system supportability.

Key Responsibilities

Software Development (SQL & Oracle APEX). Design, develop, test, and deploy applications and system enhancements using Oracle Application Express (APEX), SQL, and PL/SQL. Write efficient, maintainable code aligned with system requirements and enterprise architecture, build workflows and integrations that support judicial operations, integrate internal systems and third-party components, and maintain version control and technical documentation.

Application Support & Issue Resolution. Partner with Proprietary Application Support to troubleshoot and resolve issues. Investigate defects, diagnose performance, data, and functional problems in production, implement and validate fixes, and analyze recurring issues to contribute to durable, long-term solutions.

Testing, Quality & Deployment. Develop and execute testing strategies, support QA efforts and defect resolution, participate in deployment and release validation, and help ensure performance, security, and accessibility standards are consistently met.

Collaboration & Requirements Support. Work with stakeholders to define requirements, translate business needs into technical solutions, coordinate across development and support teams, communicate technical concepts clearly, and incorporate user feedback.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer. Maintain technical documentation and system change records, develop support documentation, document troubleshooting processes, and ensure systems remain supportable and knowledge is shared across the team.

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Des Moines, IA, with possibility of hybrid remote after six months.

What’s in it for you:

• Collaborative, positive professional work environment
• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the Iowa communities
• Excellent benefits package
• Paid Holidays/Vacation/Sick Leave
• Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) plan
• Employee discount program
• Employment with the Iowa Judicial Branch may qualify for the federal student loan repayment program.

The pay range for this position is $86,902.40 – $138,798.40 annually. This is an FLSA exempt position. The starting salary for new state employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Adjustments may be made if the successful candidate has relevant experience.

Position classification is determined as the ‘best fit’ of the duties assigned to and performed by a position. This position is classified as a Business Systems Analyst as summarized below.

Summary

Design, create, test, maintain, and analyze software programs, applications, and systems throughout the product lifecycle to fulfill the Iowa Judicial Branch’s operational needs.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with management, stakeholders, and customers to identify end-user requirements and specifications.
• Apply scientific and technological principles to user needs, write code, and ensure software functionality.
• Design algorithms and flowcharts to create new software programs and systems.
• Produce efficient and elegant code based on requirements.
• Test and deploy programs and applications. Maintain documentation of system changes.
• Integrate software components and third-party programs.
• Troubleshoot, debug, maintain, and improve existing software.
• Compile and assess user feedback and statistics. Recommend, schedule, and perform improvements to software programs and products.
• Develop technical documentation to guide future software development projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of coding language such as Python, Lava, JavaScript, SQL, C++, and the frameworks, systems, and programming languages used by the Iowa Judicial Branch.
• Knowledge of the software development life cycle.
• Ability to write code in popular coding languages.
• Attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

The Iowa Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applicants may review the Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report from the Iowa Judicial Branch website as part of our commitment to transparency and compliance with federal and state regulations. Please go to www.iowacourts.gov and click on the Careers page.

Candidates need to complete the NEOGOV application and attach a cover letter and resume. Final applicants are subjected to a criminal background check. The Iowa Judicial Branch is an E-Verify employer.

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Judicial Branch. Candidates must follow the instructions in the “To Apply” section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

The incumbent must meet the minimum requirements to qualify for the position.

• Associate’s degree in computer science or related field;
• Industry-recognized professional certification in software development;
• Six (6) years of full-time equivalent experience in computer science, information technology, or software development. Specifically, three (3) years of full-time equivalent experience in application, software, or game development.

Experience may be substituted with related education on the basis that successful completion of thirty (30) semester hours or academic equivalent equals one year of experience.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience developing and maintaining applications with Oracle Application Express (APEX).
• Strong SQL and PL/SQL skills, including query optimization and working with Oracle databases.
• Experience supporting business-critical applications in an enterprise or government environment.
• Familiarity with the software development life cycle, version control, and modern engineering practices.
• Experience balancing business-as-usual (BAU) support with project and enhancement work.
• Experience producing and maintaining clear technical documentation.