Jira Administrator

Overview

Planned Systems International (PSI) is currently seeking a Jira Administrator is responsible for managing, configuring, and maintaining the Jira and Confluence instances for a software development Product Line at the Department of Veteran Affairs, as a member of its respective PMO Support Team. This role involves optimizing our use of Jira to track requirements and work items, managing permissions, developing workflows, configuration tasks, and exploring its use to meet emerging customer requirements. The PMO Jira Administrator will have limited custom development capabilities as most feature and capability changes are managed by the VA DevOp Tools Suite (DOTS) team. As such, the role will entail developing clear requirements and collaborating with the DOTs team to request and test implementation of custom features. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Jira configuration and management, and a strong background in supporting agile software development teams.

Essential Functions and Job Responsibilities

• Create and manage projects, workflows, schemes, fields, screens, and permissions in Jira.
• Customize Jira dashboards, reports, and filters for different user groups and roles.
• Integrate Jira with other tools and systems, such as Confluence.
• Monitor and optimize the performance, security, and availability of the Jira system.
• Implement and enforce Jira policies and standards, such as backup, restore, data retention, etc.
• Provide user support, training, and documentation for Jira.
• Collaborate with the VA DOTS team to customize Jira capabilities by developing clear requirements and coordinating with them on their implementation.
• Support VA clients with customization and development of Jira to meet emerging needs (an example would be using Jira to create a risk register).
• Proactively recommend solutions to clients for how Jira could improved or better configured to improve efficiency, clarity, integration, and collaboration.
• Develop and implement best practices for Jira usage to support project tracking and management.
• Create and manage project templates and automation rules to streamline processes.
• Work closely with project managers, developers, and other stakeholders to gather requirements and configure Jira accordingly.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for configuration management processes and Jira configurations.
• Ensure all documentation is up-to-date and easily accessible to team members.
• Prepare and present regular reports on project status, risks, and outcomes to senior management.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements within the PMO and implement best practices.
• Conduct research on special topics and recommend solutions to government clients.
• Stay up to date with VA policy, industry trends, and advancements in program management and software development.
• Facilitate executive-level virtual meetings, including preparing meeting agendas, capturing minutes, and tracking outcomes and action items.
• Work proactively and independently to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• Function as part of an integrated team sharing products, best practices, and information across the PMO Support Team.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 5-8 years of relevant experience
• Jira experience is mandatory
• Experience working as a federal contractor or employee.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with brevity and clarity to government clients and develop work products that meet professional quality standards with minimal supervision.
• Experience working as a consultant, with an understanding of how to effectively manage and support government clients and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of software development life cycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., JIRA, MS Project) and methodologies.
• Ability to schedule, organize, and facilitate executive-level virtual meetings and summarize outcomes.
• Ability to self-organize, balance workload, complete tasks on time (without reminders), proactively seek out assignments, and offer improvements to client delivery.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Required Technical/Business Tools Experience

• eMASS or security risk management framework tool
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
• MS SharePoint
• MS Visio
• Jira or comparable development management tool

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working as a VA contractor or employee.

Physical Demands

• Ability to effectively communicate in English, including talking and hearing.
• Ability to operate productively in a fully remote work environment, including the ability to take meetings and phone calls from a quiet and private space during business hours.
• Ability and willingness to actively participate in virtual meetings throughout most of the workday and be responsive to messages (MS Teams) and emails (MS Outlook) within reasonable timeframes set by the supervisor or client.
• Ability to be responsive and working during Eastern time zone standard business hours (8:00am to 4:00pm EST).
• Ability to satisfy security clearance and onboarding requirements:
  • Print, sign, scan, and return onboarding documentation.
  • Travel at personal expense to nearest government facility to get fingerprinted, apply for a PIV badge, pick-up the PIV badge, and pick-up government equipment.

Company Benefits

PSI offers full-time, benefits eligible employees a competitive total compensation package that includes paid leave, and options for employer sponsored group medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, AD&D coverage, legal services, identity theft, and accident insurance. Flexible spending account and health saving account options offer pre-tax savings for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses. The company sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has an employer contribution match that is immediately vested. We invest in the professional growth of our employees through professional courses, certifications, and tuition reimbursement programs.

EEO Commitment

It is company policy to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination, are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources by emailing [email protected], or by dialing 703-575-8400.