Introduction
Are you an Information Technology professional looking for the next step in your career?
If so, we encourage you to read the posting below and apply today!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS) is accepting applications for a Release Manager (Information Technology Manager) to manage and coordinate all enhancements, minor projects, and maintenance & operations (M&O) activities for cloud and .NET solutions on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS) (DSS, PMO Team).
WHAT WE OFFER
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Full time, 40 hours per week
- Monday through Friday schedule
- First shift
- Located in Hartford, CT
- This hybrid position is eligible to apply for telework in accordance with the Telework Policy. The Policy can be found HERE.
This image shows a career progression pathway within the State of Connecticut: Starting with Information Technology Analyst 3, advancing to Information Technology Supervisor or IT Subject Matter Expert, with a focus on with Information Technology Manager, ending with "Many more opportunities available!".
THE ROLE
The Release Manager will be responsible for the following:
- Plan and manage software releases across dev, QA, staging, and production.
- Coordinate release activities with engineering, QA, product, and operations teams.
- Maintain the release calendar and ensure alignment with business priorities.
- Ensure release deliverables meet quality standards and deadlines.
- Lead release readiness reviews, go/no-go decisions, and post-release retrospectives.
- Identify and resolve release issues, risks, and dependencies.
- Maintain documentation for release processes and deployment steps.
- Improve release workflows through automation and standardization.
- Ensure compliance with change management and audit requirements.
- Lead project planning, scoping, and scheduling with stakeholders.
- Track project progress, milestones, and deliverables.
- Identify risks and develop mitigation plans.
- Facilitate Agile ceremonies including standups, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
- Communicate project status and updates to leadership and teams.
- Manage project resources and timelines across multiple initiatives.
- Document and track business requirements for alignment with goals.
- Build strong relationships with technical teams, business partners, and vendors.
- Act as liaison between technical and non-technical teams.
- Provide leadership and clear communication during high pressure release cycles.
- Promote best practices in project governance and software delivery.
- Drive continuous improvement in team workflows and collaboration.
Selection Plan
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BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
Within a state agency information technology division this class is accountable for the management and direction of information systems, applications development, systems maintenance, and similar information technology functions as well as technical and support staff.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Plans, organizes and manages all operations and activities of an information technology services unit, division, function or location;
- Responsible for meeting all data processing or information technology needs of the respective unit, division, function or location;
- Establishes priorities for systems development and information technology projects in accordance with agency requirements;
- Coordinates, plans and manages solution architecture projects;
- Directs the planning, design and implementation of complex storage solution configuration;
- Develops plans for future utilization information technology services in the overall agency program;
- Within the financial resources of the agency ensuring the development of high quality, low-cost technology solutions aligned with the needs of the State and its agencies;
- Aligns information technology planning with the business strategy;
- Leads and influences the development of standards and decisions regarding changes to systems/applications;
- Manages information systems activities within areas such as IT infrastructure and architecture, applications development, networks, computer operations and support;
- Oversees information technology projects from conception to completion;
- Works with leadership team to maximize cross-team contributions;
- Leads information technology operations to ensure exceptional quality and timely response to all customer service issues;
- Interfaces regularly with clients/customers;
- Stays abreast of local, regional and national industry trends;
- Understands the major economic, political, technological and competitive trends affecting technology;
- To capture competitive advantages, searches out challenging opportunities to change, grow, innovate and improve;
- Compares information technology with those of significant competitors and makes appropriate adjustments;
- Coordinates the use of key people, resources, technologies, process, and capabilities to reach strategic goals;
- Sets an example by acting in ways that are consistent with shared department values;
- Fosters collaboration by promoting cooperative goals, building trust and enlisting others in a common vision;
- Strengthens staff by providing choice, developing competence and offering visible support;
- Focuses on continuous learning for self and staff;
- Actively acknowledges individual and team accomplishments;
- Leverages technological solutions to meet business needs;
- Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Plan and Deploy for Business Results, which includes the ability to develop and implement business plans, IT plans, budget plans, and human resource plans in order to maximize budget allocations, technology, personnel and other resources to achieve agency and program goals.
- Lead Change, which includes innovation, the ability to be a creative problem solver and a strategic thinker, and the ability to recognize and develop opportunities to grow and develop information technology services in response to customers and a changing work environment.
- Focus on Results and Quality, including exercising and promoting accountability, and the ability to analyze surveys, financial and other data, and use strategic planning and performance measurement techniques to continuously improve performance and maintain competitiveness.
- Understand Customers and Markets, which includes the ability to establish customer satisfaction and loyalty, forecast and conduct market analyses, keep ahead of industry trends and incorporate “best practices” into information technology operations.
- Lead People, including the ability to resolve conflict, communicate effectively, coach and train employees, recognize performance, and foster diversity and teamwork.
- Build Coalitions, including the ability to explain and advocate facts and ideas in a convincing manner, to negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally, to gain cooperation from others, and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.
- Business Knowledge, including knowledge of the technical, professional, procedural and legal requirements of the specific information technology area.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Ten (10) years of experience in computer or network administration, architecture, operations, production control, systems development, information technology analysis and planning.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a lead capacity.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Information Technology Analyst 3.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training in computer science, management information systems or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
- A Master’s degree in computer science, management information systems or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certified.
- Experience supporting cloud solution releases.
- Experience with hands on Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CI/CD) automation tools.
- Experience developing deployment strategies.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.