Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Applications Development

The Applications Developer designs, develops, implements, and maintains software applications and web-based solutions that support institutional operations, digital services, and business processes; participates in the full application development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, system design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance; ensures applications are scalable, secure, accessible, and aligned with institutional standards, technical architecture, and business needs.

• Design, develop, test, debug, implement, modify, and maintain software applications, web applications, and integrated systems using modern programming languages, frameworks, and development tools
• Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze requirements and translate them into technical specifications, workflows, and functional solutions
• Develop front-end and back-end application functionality and integrate user interfaces with databases, APIs, content management systems, and third-party platforms
• Build reusable, scalable components and maintain efficient application architecture and database structures
• Design prototypes, wireframes, workflow diagrams, and system architecture models to support application design and development
• Develop and maintain APIs, services, and integrations between applications and enterprise systems
• Ensure applications meet standards for performance, usability, accessibility, security, and cross-platform compatibility across browsers, devices, and operating systems
• Implement secure coding practices and ensure compliance with accessibility standards, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements
• Develop and execute testing procedures including automated testing, quality assurance, and user acceptance testing to ensure stable and reliable systems
• Use version control systems and collaborative development workflows to manage source code and support team-based software development
• Participate in Agile or iterative development processes including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and collaborative development activities
• Support continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes to automate testing, build, and deployment workflows
• Monitor application performance and implement logging, diagnostics, and optimization strategies to improve reliability, scalability, and efficiency
• Troubleshoot application, system, and data issues; diagnose root causes; implement corrective solutions; escalate complex issues
• Evaluate existing applications and technologies and recommend improvements, enhancements, or new development solutions
• Create and maintain development environments, deployment workflows, and application infrastructure
• Document application architecture, technical specifications, development processes, system configurations, and user instructions
• Provide maintenance, support, and consultation for internally developed and third-party software solutions
• Configure, manage, and support application servers, databases, and development infrastructure
• Research emerging technologies, tools, and industry best practices to improve application capabilities and development processes
• Support disaster recovery planning and contribute to business continuity efforts
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates baseline working knowledge of routine work tasks. Follows the standard principles and practices. Acts under direct and frequent supervision using established procedures with detailed instructions. Participates as a team member and actively contributes to completion of team goals. Clearly communicates information.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– None

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Typically none

Problem Solving:

– Encounters routine problems
– Follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems

Independence of Action:

– Work is closely monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are provided
– Applies standard operating procedures with limited guidelines for deviation

Communication and Collaboration:

– Typically communicates internally within working unit
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Clearly communicates information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing

• Comp Grade – 8
• Minimum – $51,000.00
• MidPoint – $62,500.00
• Maximum – $74,000.00

• Data Analysis
• Debugging
• Incident management
• Programming
• Software testing
• System design
• Team leadership
• Technical development
• Technical support
• Technical Writing
• Troubleshooting
• User experience
• Web design