Appian SAFHER Enablement LeadSME

Overview

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 PDA’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.

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.

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.

• 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.
• Techni…