Information Architect

Our team operates as a startup within the Department of IT, and our team members wear many hats. We are both driving the strategy and execution of core projects and defining the engagement model and services for the Maryland Digital Service. We use data and modern research, design, and development methods to inform our decision-making, and we collaborate with stakeholders within and outside of government to understand and solve challenges.

Maryland is an incredible place to build a career. As an employer, the Department of IT values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work. We offer a collaborative work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and impactful real world challenges to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Maryland, start here

The Information Architect (IA) role is responsible for working with Maryland state agencies to perform user research in order to understand their audience and stakeholder needs and pain points, conduct content inventories and high-level audits, and guide agencies as they conduct detailed content reviews and transformation, all with the goal of making agency content and functionality findable, accessible, usable, and valuable.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of user experience and research, content and navigation strategy, information design, change management, and content/functionality that is accessible, equitable, and plain language. The IA will work with agencies to conduct user research and discovery to understand top tasks and user behavior, test current information architectures and navigation structures as well developing and testing new information architecture concepts and navigation strategies to ensure content is understandable and addresses users’ top tasks.

***This is a management service position which serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority***

Conduct user research to understand user needs and behaviors. 

Analyze available data (GA4, calls, escalations, etc.) to understand users’ top tasks and areas of friction.

Work with Agencies to lead workshops to understand stakeholder goals for the website.

Conduct Agency website audits, prepare site inventory/evaluation documentation. Work with guide Agency staff in ROT (redundant, outdated, trivial) analysis and content transformation; support content reviews, training and education on content design and content governance. Design, develop, test and evolve Agency site information architectures, navigation strategies, content, to meet user and stakeholder needs; including the creation of Figma prototypes/wireframes when required for testing. Develop top level and Agency-specific content governance and review standards and cycles.

Collaborate with Maryland Digital Service leadership to ensure that Agency content, architecture, and approach are consistent and aligned with overall goals for Maryland.gov.

Inform and support ongoing efforts to formalize the Maryland Web Design System as a living artifact, as well as Maryland Agency web teams as consumers of the design system.

Stay up to date on the latest trends in information architecture, content strategy, and user research.

Education: Bachelor's degree in information science, human-computer interaction, or a related field from an accredited college or university including coursework in information architecture, content strategy, user research, and change management.

Experience: Five years’ experience creating, testing, and implementing information architectures, and capturing, managing, and transforming website content inventories using industry standard tools and techniques. Three of the five years needs to include planning, conducting, and analyzing user/customer interviews and research to inform and evaluate information architecture, content strategy, and usability using industry standard tools and techniques.

Our preferred candidate will have one or more of the following:  

Figma experience including wireframing, low-fidelity prototyping, and design system use/management. 

Change management experience related to navigation strategy, content evaluation and transformation.

Experience with SharePoint Designer and WordPress is a plus.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your resume to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.