TRS provides retirement benefits for teachers who are employed by all Illinois public common and charter school districts located outside the city of Chicago. The Illinois Pension Code contains the laws relating to our creation, benefits, and administration.

Position Overview

The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that the implementation team follows Scrum framework values and Agile practices, mentoring, and motivating the teams to improve processes, facilitating meetings and decision-making processes, and eliminating team impediments. The Scrum Master will be working in collaboration with the PAS Program Director and Product Owners to create a vision and direction for work within the implementation team aligning with organizational goals and priorities.

To be successful as a Scrum Master, you should have a firm understanding of Agile principles and the ability to effectively manage and mentor the implementation team. An outstanding Scrum Master should have excellent interpersonal, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Using Agile methodology values, principles, and practices to plan, manage, and deliver solutions
• Training, mentoring, and supporting Scrum teams to follow Agile values, principles, and practices
• Being a champion of Scrum practices within the team and the organization
• Determining and managing task, issues, risks, and action items
• Scheduling and facilitating Scrum events, meetings, and decision-making processes
• Monitoring progress and performance and helping teams to make improvements.
• Planning and organizing demos and product/system testing
• Ensuring the proper use of collaborative processes and removing impediments for the Scrum team
• Perform hands-on project work, including analysis, design and adhering to change management practices, as needed by the project
• Identifying and creating KPI and other key metrics to look for opportunities for team and process improvements or other possible gaps
• Tracking project processes, deliverables, and financials
• Preparing and presenting project updates to stakeholders
• Develop internal and external customer relationships that result in quality project deliveries
• Establish collaborative partnership with key stakeholders and provide coaching at all levels in an emerging Agile environment
• Assess the current organization and delivery environment and recommend optimal Agile practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or related field or 4 years of additional experience in lieu of degree.
• 8+ years of overall IT experience with continued growth and development of skills including:
  • 5+ years of experience managing/leading IT projects
  • 3+ years of Agile / Scrum experience
• Certified Scrum Master certification required
• Advanced Certified Scrum Master or PMP Certification must be obtained within a year from start date
• Proven ability to complete projects according to outlined scope, budget, resource capacity, and timeline
• Ability to support teams writing user stories/epics, identify dependencies, and design optimal solutions
• Strong familiarity with Agile project management software tools (Azure DevOps a plus), methodologies, and best practices
• Working knowledge of Agile methodology, techniques, and frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban, to deliver solutions
• Experience with Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Leadership and/or management experience preferred
• Excellent people and project management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of state pension systems a plus

Benefits, etc.

• State, health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• Full-time employees work 35 hours/wk
• 12 vacation, 12 sick, and 3 personal time days of compensated time
• Teachers’ Retirement System pension
• Deferred compensation plan

TRS is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us at the following email: careers@trsil.org