KSApp Support Specialist

Agency Information: Kansas Sentencing Commission

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Hybrid working environment may be considered
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $44,000-$47,000
• Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Overview:

The Kansas Sentencing Commission (KSSC) is seeking an entry-level application support specialist to provide technical support and training for the Kansas Sentencing Application (KSApp), a statewide specialized application used by criminal justice practitioners to complete and submit sentencing information. This position serves as a primary point of contact for KSApp users, assisting with application access and functionality, troubleshooting user-reported issues, and communicating with the vendor and developers when additional technical assistance is needed.

The position will provide training and user guidance for KSApp users, test application updates and identify errors, and maintain documentation related to the application, ongoing issues, and updates. The position will also assist with agency sentencing data and dashboards, including data quality assurance, analysis, and routine updates.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing technical assistance to statewide KSApp users and assisting with user access and permissions.
• Troubleshooting application issues, investigating the source of problems, and identifying or implementing appropriate solutions.
• Coordinating with the vendor and developers to report and resolve issues that require additional technical assistance.
• Developing and conducting virtual training sessions and webinars and creating and maintaining materials to support effective use of the KSApp.
• Conducting routine application testing and documenting issues, updates, and resolutions.
• Assisting with the management, quality assurance, analysis, and visualization of agency sentencing data and dashboards.

Job Description:

Maintain the Kansas Sentencing Application (KSApp)

• Manage user account access for the statewide sentencing form application (KS App).
• Troubleshoot KSApp issues reported by pre-sentence investigation writers, attorneys, and judges using the app. Investigate and test to diagnose the source of the issue and provide solutions for users.
• Communicate proactively with users to ascertain problems with how the app is being used in order to prevent downstream issues.
• Maintain records of ongoing issues, investigations, fixes that are in the works, and recent updates.
• Answer users’ inquiries regarding how to access, use, and resolve problems with the KSApp.
• Create test cases to observe app functioning to verify it is operating correctly and to detect errors.
• Investigate and troubleshoot KSApp-related issues, escalating complex issues to the vendor and developers and assisting with the investigation and resolution of issues requiring additional technical assistance or system changes.
• Collaborate with staff, users, and management on updates to the app.
• Develop and update training materials and procedures in the proper use of the KSApp.
• Conduct virtual training sessions and webinars for practitioners on how to use the KSApp and dashboards.

Other Duties

• Assist with updating the Annual Report Dashboard annually and collaborate with the Senior Research Analyst and Research Analyst to improve the dashboard.
• Assist the Senior Research Analyst with the development of other relevant agency dashboards (e.g., SB 123 mandatory drug treatment dashboard).
• Other duties assigned by the Research Director or the Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent and six months in providing application or technical support or troubleshooting software or information systems, including assisting users with software or information-system issues.
• Experience troubleshooting software or application problems, including identifying the source of an issue and determining an appropriate solution.
• Experience working with software vendors, developers, or technical staff to report, investigate, or resolve application issues.
• Experience conducting software testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), or other quality assurance activities.
• Experience providing technical training or assistance to end users and developing user guides, procedures, or training materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Any post-secondary education in information technology, computer science, information systems, or a related field.
• Experience with data management, data analysis, data visualization, or dashboard development and maintenance.
• Familiarity with criminal justice terminology, processes, or information systems.

Post Offer Requirement:

State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate. The successful applicant (even non-residents) must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website within 10 days of the date the applicant has been offered the employment position. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact (785) 296-3199.

Visit the Tax Clearance site for more information on and where to obtain this Kansas Department of Revenue document.

Recruiter Contact Information:

Name: Sarah Aasen

Email: [email protected]

Job Application Process:

• First Sign in or register as a New User.

• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD FM 214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Letter of Interest / Cover Letter

How to Claim Veterans Preference:

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building

915 SW Harrison Street, Suite 260,
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.