Appian SAFHER Enablement Lead/SME
Benefits:
Health insurance
BVA Bears IT Solutions is seeking an Appian SAFHER Enablement Lead/SME to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) located in the Harrisburg, PA area. This is a full-time position that may require 2 days on-site as needed. Therefore, candidate must be local to Harrisburg PA area.
As an Appian SAFHER Enablement Lead/SME you will serve as a hands‑on senior technical resource responsible for developing, mentoring, and enabling the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s internal Appian development team supporting the SAFHER solution. This role combines senior Appian architecture expertise, embedded low‑code delivery, and structured knowledge transfer to ensure PDA staff achieve full autonomy in Appian platform development, administration, and operational support by the end of the engagement.
This is not a classroom‑only training role. The resource will actively embed within the delivery team, participate in design and build activities, and coach staff through real‑world development using Appian best practices and configuration‑first, low‑code methodologies
Key Objectives & Outcomes
By the end of the engagement, this position will ensure:
PDA staff can independently design, build, test, deploy, and support Appian solutions with minimal reliance on external vendors.
A sustainable Appian operating model exists, with documented standards, governance, and runbooks.
The team demonstrates measurable growth in Appian low‑code proficiency.
Knowledge of SAFHER‑aligned architecture, modules, and patterns is fully transferred and retained internally.
Core Responsibilities:
Lead and mentor PDA staff in hands‑on Appian development using a configuration‑first, low‑code approach.
Design and implement solutions leveraging:
SAIL interfaces
Records and data modeling
Process Models
Expressions and rules
Security configuration
Integrations and reusable components
Reinforce Appian best practices for simplicity, reuse, maintainability, and performance.
Guide backlog decomposition into low‑code deliverables and reusable patterns.
Embed directly within the PDA delivery team and actively participate in:
Agile ceremonies (planning, refinement, stand‑ups, reviews, retrospectives)
Pair programming and design sessions (“show‑me / coach‑me / watch‑me” model)
Conduct regular code, design, and architecture reviews with actionable feedback.
Mentor staff on troubleshooting, defect resolution, and production support practices.
Provide ongoing coaching across the full SDLC:
Requirements
Design
Build
Test
Deployment
Support
Explain and apply SAFHER‑aligned solution architecture, including:
End‑to‑end application design patterns
Data and record management strategies
Integration approaches and error/exception handling
Security and authorization models
Environment promotion and release strategies
Translate SAFHER experience into practical guidance for PDA’s Plant Industry programs.
design and deliver durable, reusable training materials, including:
Role‑based curriculum (developers, admins/release, BA/PO as applicable)
Hands‑on labs, workshops, and exercises
Reference guides and documentation
Conduct a baseline skills assessment and track progression over time.
Produce and execute a 12‑month enablement roadmap with milestones and success metrics.
Establish repeatable standards and governance for Appian delivery.
Define and document:
Support workflows (intake, triage, escalation, defect management)
Release planning cadence and deployment checklists
Architecture decision standards and review processes
Knowledge base and documentation practices
Support release readiness, deployments, and post‑release stabilization.
Qualifications:
Minimum 3 years of hands‑on Appian development and delivery experience.
Minimum 2 years of direct experience with the SAFHER solution, SAFHER‑aligned modules, or highly comparable SAFHER architecture.
Current Appian certifications (e.g., Appian Developer, Lead Developer, or Architect) strongly preferred.
Proven experience delivering enterprise Appian applications in production environments.
Skills:
Technical Skills:
Expert proficiency in Appian low‑code capabilities:
SAIL
Records
Process Models
Expressions and rules
Integrations
Security configuration
Strong architecture skills, including:
Integration patterns
Security and authorization design
Performance and scalability considerations
Experience building reusable component and pattern libraries.
Training & Mentoring
Demonstrated success training and mentoring technical teams to self‑sufficiency.
Experience creating curriculum, labs, and hands‑on workshops.
Strong communication and coaching skills, capable of translating complex concepts into practical guidance.
Preferred Skills:
Experience working with regulatory or government case management systems.
Familiarity with licensing, inspections, approvals, routing, notifications, and workflow‑driven solutions.
Experience assisting clients in transitioning from vendor‑dependent to self‑sustaining internal development teams.
U.S. Citizenship Requirement: This position is restricted to U.S. citizens only in accordance with federal contract requirements. Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization) prior to employment. Non-citizens, including lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), are not eligible for this role.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
BVA Bears IT Solutions is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Flexible work from home options available.