IT SPECIALIST-APPLICATIONS (Junior Data Engineer)

Job Description

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IT SPECIALIST-APPLICATIONS (Junior Data Engineer)

• Salary: $31.18 – $38.94 Hourly
• Location: 611 Walker Street, Houston, TX
• Job Type: Full Time
• Job Number: 38253
• Department: Houston Information Technology Services (HITS)
• Division: HITS – ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SERVICES (EAS)
• Opening Date: 02/25/2026
• Closing Date: 3/11/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Overview

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: IT SPECIALIST – APPLICATIONS (Junior Data Engineer)

Department: HOUSTON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (HITS)

Division: ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS SERVICES

Reporting Location: 611 WALKER

Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM• *Subject to Change

Description Of Duties / Essential Functions

Houston, TX, the fourth largest city in the country, operates with a budget of over 6 billion dollars, a workforce of 20,000 employees, and 23 departments generating fascinating data and a wide range of questions. The City promotes healthy and resilient communities through smart civic investments, dynamic partnerships, education, and innovation, aiming to be a place where anyone can prosper and feel at home.

The City offers its employees various benefits, including healthcare, wellness, professional development, and an excellent pension plan. The Enterprise Data Office, a part of the Houston IT Services department, provides city-wide services with four focus areas: Open Data, Data Community, Targeted Data Governance, and a Modern Data Stack.

About the Role:

The Junior Data Engineer will assist in building and maintaining data systems that support the City’s analytics and business needs. This role is ideal for someone passionate about data, eager to learn modern technologies, and motivated to contribute to public service. Under guidance from senior team members, the Junior Data Engineer will:

• Support data integration by working with various sources such as databases, APIs, and external providers.
• Monitor and troubleshoot data pipelines to maintain reliability and performance.
• Prepare data by cleaning, transforming, and validating data to ensure quality and consistency.
• Learn and apply cloud technologies such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Snowflake for data storage and processing.
• Write and optimize SQL queries for data retrieval and manipulation.
• Collaborate with team members and analysts to understand data requirements and deliver solutions.
• Document processes and workflows to support knowledge sharing and troubleshooting.
• Follow established standards and best practices, ensuring compliance with IT policies and security guidelines.
• Demonstrate curiosity and willingness to learn about business processes, and explore new and old technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditions. Significant time spent using computer display, keyboard, and mouse.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field.
• Application-specific technical certifications may be considered for substitution for 1 year of experience.

Experience Requirements

• At least three (3) years of technology experience creating or configuring software applications.
• Related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

License Requirements

• None

PREFERENCES

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following skillsets:

• Knowledge of SQL and experience writing queries
• Programming with Python and its core libraries
• Used cloud platforms (Azure or AWS)
• Familiarity with data concepts like data modeling, ETL, or data warehousing (coursework or projects acceptable)
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Shiny
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively
• Relevant coursework, internship, and certifications

GENERAL INFORMATION

Selection / Skills Tests Required

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

NO

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 23

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832/393-0450).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832/393-0450). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EEO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Benefits

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

Application Questions (Highlighting Key Requirements/Preferences)

• Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces for more than 90 consecutive days and received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?
• What is your highest level of education and professional experience? (High School Diploma/GED, Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or Beyond)
• Which area of concentration did you obtain your degree? (Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS), Data & Analytics, Data Science, Engineering, Technology, Science, or other)
• How many years of verifiable experience do you have in creating or configuring software applications? (Less than 3 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, 7 years, 8 or more years)
• Please list the data visualization tools you have used and describe any experience creating dashboards or reports with them.
• Please describe your familiarity with data concepts such as ETL/ELT processes, data modeling, data warehousing, or API integration.
• Please share your interest in learning and working with cloud technology or AI.
• Which of the cloud platforms have you used? (Azure, AWS, GCP, None)
• Which of the programming languages do you use in your prior projects? (Python, PowerShell, SQL, Power Apps, Other, None)
• Which of the visualization tools are you familiar with? (Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Shiny, Other, None)
• Which of the data concepts are you familiar with? (Data Modeling, ETL, Data Warehousing, Other, None)
• Are you a current COH employee?

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