This competition may have a hiring priority for Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people, Deaf people, people with disabilities, women, or members of 2SLGBTQI+ and gender diverse communities. Candidates belonging to these equity deserving groups who wish to be considered must self-identify. This initiative is in support of the Council’s employment equity and diversity goals.

About The Role

Under the direct supervision of the Manager, Systems Development, the Senior Systems Specialist:

- Provides specialized advice to internal project teams and work units on technical solutions and standards to adapt and support the design, development, testing, implementation, integration, maintenance and support of IT applications.
- Negotiates contracts with vendors for the provision of IT application services and products.
- Advises and guides business clients on technical applications issues, and provides expertise and analysis to facilitate client understanding, involvement and acceptance of the design, development, testing and delivery, installation, integration and maintenance of IT applications.
- Conducts feasibility studies, develops and designs research, recommends various alternatives for IT applications development and presents options to support decision making and to address client requirements.
- Participates in discussions with program, technical and administrative specialists of client organizations, to obtain agreement on service requirements and the resolution of technical issues.
- Participates on working groups or project teams to facilitate the development of standards, policies, networking and partnering in application development.
- Provides technical direction to working groups and periodically leads project teams composed of technical staff.
- Maintains knowledge of trends and developments in systems analysis and design, application/web design and development, application testing and implementation techniques and practices and project management techniques and practices.

Client Service Results Provides specialized advice and recommendations on technological solutions for project teams and work groups engaged in the development, implementation, maintenance and support of IT applications, project proposals, cost estimates and specifications, terms of reference and contracts with internal and external clients. Provides technical IT services for internal and external clients in the areas of:

- Database installation
- Database management
- Database monitoring and support
- System development
- System testing
- Integration and maintenance of desktop and web-based applications

In a matrix managed project environment, provides supervision to work teams.

Database Administration

- Plans, develops, tests, installs or upgrades database servers, database development tools and user productivity tools.
- Manages and monitors the allocation of storage, processor and network resources to all database management systems and their associated user communities; and manages user account profiles and takes steps for ensuring database security and availability including database back-up and recovery.
- Conducts data administration and database design audits; develops, maintains and enforces database design, systems development and security standards for the Council.
- Provides technical advice, training and assistance to clients and is a subject matter resource on technical aspects of database management systems, database design, systems development and security standards.
- Represents the project team in discussions with clients and technical staff to explain issues of a technical nature or to resolve technical issues.
- Maintains knowledge of trends and developments in computer systems analysis techniques and practices, data administration, database development and management.

Development

- Analyses, defines and helps Business Analyst document client requirements and recommend solutions; conducts impact analysis studies.
- Designs, develops, unit tests, implements and maintains systems on various technology platforms.
- Support quality assurance activities.
- Designs, develops, enhances,



and maintains software solutions; prepares technical specifications and documentation, including user guides, system documentation, and support materials.
- Evaluates, implements, configures, and maintains application development tools, platforms, and frameworks; promotes and ensures adherence to established development standards, best practices, and secure coding principles.
- Contributes to multidisciplinary project teams and oversees technical workstreams or project teams as required to deliver business and client outcomes. Develops work plans, supports procurement and solution evaluations, and mentors team members to foster technical excellence and knowledge transfer.
- Maintains current knowledge of emerging technologies, industry trends, development frameworks, programming languages, systems analysis and design methodologies, cloud-based solutions, application development practices, testing strategies, and implementation approaches to support continuous improvement and innovation.
- Provides technical direction, advisory services, and application support to internal and external stakeholders; delivers training sessions to internal and external clients.

Education

- An undergraduate degree in computer science or computer engineering or equivalent combination of college diploma and professional experience related to the responsibilities of the position.

Experience

- Eight (8) years of experience designing, developing, testing, implementing, integrating, maintaining, and supporting enterprise software applications.
- Eight (8) years of experience partnering with business units to assess requirements, provide technical advice, and deliver application solutions that address operational needs.
- Five (5) years of experience administering enterprise databases, including installation, configuration, monitoring, performance and capacity management, security, backup, and recovery.
- Five (5) years of experience administering and developing solutions with Microsoft SQL Server, including T-SQL, database design, performance tuning, security, and high availability.
- Five (5) years of experience developing, integrating, and supporting Windows and web applications using Microsoft .NET technologies, including C#, ASP.NET, and modern .NET frameworks.
- Experience delivering application development initiatives using Agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban, including iterative planning, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge

- Demonstrated expertise in application development, systems integration, database technologies, and reporting platforms, including C#, ASP.NET, .NET Framework/.NET, SQL Server and T-SQL, SharePoint Online (SPO, and enterprise reporting and analytics solutions. Experience working with modern development tools, integrated development environments (IDEs), source control systems, database management tools, and cloud-based technologies is an asset.

- Computer science principles and practices used to advise on the design and delivery of application development projects, including:
- Systems analysis and solution design
- Up-to-date programming languages and development frameworks
- Current IT methods, tools, standards and practices including:
- User experience and interface design
- Solution architecture and design patterns
- Coding and naming conventions
- Technical specifications and documentation
- Secure application development practices
- Automated and manual testing practices
- Software deployment, operations, and support
- Strategic and business analysis and planning, vendor negotiation and contract management practices required to plan and manage application development services effectively
- Modern application architecture, integration,



and service delivery practices used to assess proposed business solutions and integrate them effectively with existing technology environments.
- Software development life cycle practices, including Agile and DevOps approaches, secure development standards, continuous integration and delivery, and application maintenance.
- Research and evaluation methods used to assess proposed business applications and the current and future suitability of related products and services.
- Project management methods, and tools to lead initiatives manage budgets and resources, mitigate risks, and deliver outcomes on time and within budget.
- Legislation, regulations, policies, security requirements, accessibility standards, and privacy obligations relevant to the position
- Government of Canada digital and IT priorities, standards, and emerging technology trends used to assess the current and future suitability of technology products and services.
- Contemporary computer science methods and professional practices.
- Data governance, data administration, performance and capacity management, backup and recovery, auditing, and database security practices.

Skills &

Competencies

- Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess feasibility, clarify client needs and concerns, design and maintain applications, diagnose technical and process issues, resolve complex problems, and synthesize technical data to identify application development needs.
- Collaboration and communication skills to engage program, technical, and administrative stakeholders, align on service requirements, and support the resolution of technical issues.
- Consultation and negotiation skills to optimize the use of resources, build consensus, and resolve technical issues.
- Verbal communication and presentation skills to explain technical information clearly and negotiate effectively with contractors, vendors, and technical stakeholders.
- Written communication skills to develop and review contract requirements, application development standards, technical specifications, user and training guides, supporting documentation, and correspondence.
- Coaching and mentoring skills to strengthen individual and team capabilities, encourage knowledge sharing, and support continuous learning.

Bilingual Requirements This position requires the use of both official languages. The requirements in the second official language are:

- An intermediate level in reading comprehension (B).
- A beginner level in writing (A).
- An intermediate level in oral (B).
- Important: Please submit your resume and a cover letter clearly demonstrating how you meet the above qualifications for Education and Experience. Please note that selection for further consideration will be based solely on the information provided in your cover letter, resume and application.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please contact the Council directly. For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or TTY users, please use your preferred MRS (Message Relay Service) or IP service to contact us.

The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the individuals and communities we serve. We invite applications from individuals with any combination of backgrounds, origins, identities, and forms of self-expression. The Council is committed to enhancing the representation of the following groups within its workforce: Indigenous people, Black people, racialized people, Deaf people, people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse communities.

We encourage you to include information on how you identify in the Voluntary Self-Identification section of the application form. This information is used during the recruitment process to enhance representation of historically underserved and marginalized communities, as per the Employment Equity Act and the Council's ongoing commitment to equity. This information is also used for reporting at an aggregate level.

Please note that all persons requiring accommodation and/or assistance in completing the Canada Council’s Careers application process are welcome to contact the Council for support.

📌 Senior Systems Specialist (Ottawa)
🏢 Canada Council for the Arts / Conseil des arts du Canada
📍 Ottawa