Application Specialist & Technologist

Description Job Title: Application Specialist & Technologist Location: 111 E Wacker Dr. Suite 1312 Chicago, IL 60601 Department: Information Technology Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 Reports To: Associate Director of Operations FLSA Status: Full Time/Exempt Job Summary: In this role, you will serve as a technical, strategic, and hands-on leader responsible for managing and evolving the organization’s application ecosystem. You will partner closely with internal stakeholders, vendors, and leadership to support key organizational priorities—overseeing the full lifecycle of systems from evaluation and implementation to optimization and scale. This is a high-impact role with significant opportunity to shape the future of technology at CAC. Duties and responsibilities Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Application Portfolio Management Provide strategic oversight of CAC’s application ecosystem, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, scalability requirements, and performance standards. Systems Integration & Architecture Govern and optimize integrations across enterprise systems, enabling reliable, secure, and scalable data exchange. Data Integrity & Governance Establish and maintain data governance practices, including validation controls and data quality initiatives, to ensure accuracy and trust across systems. Reporting & Business Intelligence Design and deliver reporting and analytics solutions that empower data-driven decision-making across all levels of the organization. Technology Innovation & Optimization Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and platforms, identifying opportunities to modernize systems, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. Implementation & Lifecycle Management Lead application implementation efforts, including requirements gathering, vendor coordination, deployment, and post-launch optimization. Working conditions Supplemental Information to Assist Organizations in Their Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) http://www.niqca.org/documents/ADAPhysicalRequirementsChecklist.pdf Physical requirements Supplemental Information to Assist Organizations in Their Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) http://www.niqca.org/documents/ADAPhysicalRequirementsChecklist.pdf Benefits & Perks Health Insurance: Full-time positions are eligible for Medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer contributions Retirement: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4%, eligibility for all employees. Paid Time Off: Full-time positions are eligible for Vacation, Personal, Floating Holidays, and paid holidays; Part-Time positions are eligible for Paid Leave and Sick Leave. Work-Life Balance: Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote) Wellness & Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Additional Benefits: Life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage Requirements Skills and Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, or a related technical field Experience: Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python preferred) Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve complex technical problems, and operate effectively in ambiguous environments Strong ability to collaborate cross-functionally and communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong curiosity and passion for technology, with a track record of translating concepts into practical solutionFamiliarity with applied AI concepts and tools in a business or operational context