COBOL Applications Programmer

AGENCY INFORMATION




Washington's Lottery was created by action of the Washington State Legislature in July 1982. Lottery activities are aimed at incrementally growing sales to meet revenue commitments. Playing Lottery games is only one way to win in Washington. Promoting economic vitality in our state is the most important way the Lottery can help residents win. The greatest share of Lottery proceeds is returned to the state and its residents in three ways-as prizes, as retailer commissions, and as transfers to the Education and General funds. Since the Lottery sold its first ticket in November 1982, it has paid more than $4.7 billion in prizes, and retailers have received more than $485.4 million in sales commissions. In FY 2007 the Lottery contributed $101.9 million to education.

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Serves as Information Services consultant and application programmer for all divisions of the Washington Lottery.  Provides application design, programming, systems testing, consultation, technical assistance and troubleshooting in support of sales and accounting information to various departments within the Washington State Lottery.  Ensures the accuracy of all information supplied to these departments. Develops and maintains technical documentation and training materials for non-technical users regarding the use of technology applications.

 

Provides consultation, development, documentation, and procedures for backend processes that update the Washington Lottery Internet web site.  Performs the evaluation, testing and maintenance of processes that gather and format data for this site. Provides evaluation on technical capabilities of the web team's requests.

 Consult with agency business managers to create customized applications. (both minor and major). Coordinate the creation of requirements for software to support new games. Create organized and easily maintainable code. Thoroughly test new and modified code. Create meaningful and complete documentation as the code is created. Comply with project timelines. Communicate the need to adjust timelines as soon as they become necessary. Research technical issues as required, creating technical documentation and reports in a timely fashion. Design, create and maintain agency internal and external websites. Analyze and resolve complex problems; assist others in debugging problems with vendor products; consult with senior technical staff to resolve complex technical problems. Research issues related to environment, platforms, software and hardware requirements, which may result in the application of new technology.

 

DESIRED COMPETENCIES

 

Education

 

A Bachelor's degree including 9 semester or 15 quarter hours of computer science courses and five years of consultative, administrative, or supervisory experience in information technology analysis, system maintenance, or troubleshooting/problem resolution experience, or analyzing, designing, or programming computer systems applications or databases. Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

 

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 Expert ability to use COBOL to create customized applications. Ability and willingness to learn various programming languages, including MS SQL Server, Visual Basic.net, C#.net, Visual Studio.net to create customized applications. A working knowledge of current information technology environments, platforms, software and hardware requirements, and the ability to stay abreast of trends and new technology. The ability to effectively manage multiple assignments of a complex nature or involving competing priorities to produce results that are accurate, thorough, and on time. Ability to work in a teamwork environment and demonstrate team behaviors (e.g. sharing information, sharing expertise, working together, putting team success first). Willing to accept personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and be relied upon to complete tasks as assigned.


 

· Background investigations are required due to the nature and security requirements of the job.  Applicants will be required to sign releases of information.  Background investigations are part of the pre-employment selection process and are not a commitment to employment.

· Employees of the Lottery and their family members who reside in the same household are precluded by law from participating in the Lottery games.