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What does an applications development specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An applications development specialist focuses on the design and coding of an application or software for a company. The development specialist's job is to determine the most efficient method to develop a program without sacrificing quality. It is also the position's task to ensure that a program is a solution to its needs and other problems identified through feedback from employees. The applications development specialist is also part of the backend team and can work alongside the research and development department when creating new software to be sold to the market.

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Applications development specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real applications development specialist resumes:

  • Work closely with QA teams to manage defect resolution.
  • Work with MongoDBdatabase in MVC for creating and managing auction rules.
  • Build, manage and maintain physical server hardware and perform upgrades and OS patching as needed.
  • Design, build, test and support technical solutions using Java, J2EE, and relate technologies.
  • Customize customer experience portals with HTML and CSS.
  • Used JavaScript, JQuery and AJAX for the client side validations.
  • Replace a COBOL batch program with an automate Java implementation which require modification of SSL validation procedures and internal web services.
  • Work extensively with DB2 SQL databases.
  • Involve in developing and modifying GUI using VB.Net Win forms.
  • Work with ArcGIS Online, Silverlight and JavaScript Dojo to develop GIS web applications.
  • Coordinate with QA testers for end-to-end testing and post-implementation testing.
  • Develop customized business database applications.
  • Create VBA application to convert the legacy file outputs into a format that can be import into QPM.
  • Involve in developing the inventory module for an ERP solution using J2EE.
  • Create website prototypes as per client requirement using J2EE, JSPWiki and XWiki.

Applications development specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Applications Development Specialists are proficient in Java, Application Development, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Instructional skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Applications Development Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 13%

    Replaced a COBOL batch program with an automated Java implementation which required modification of SSL validation procedures and internal web services.

  • Application Development, 11%

    Assisted with the development of IT departmental application development standards.

  • C++, 9%

    Created small enhancements for healthcare application written in Microsoft Visual C++ and Oracle PL-SQL stored procedures.

  • Web Services, 4%

    Integrated client's external applications web service calls with proprietary e-commerce solution.

  • Object Oriented Programming, 4%

    Designed a mobile Client Data System using Object Oriented programming techniques to facilitate the agent accessing data from a remote database.

  • JavaScript, 4%

    Developed and enhanced multiple applications utilizing ASP.NET, C#, VB.Net, JavaScript, jQuery and Ajax.

Most applications development specialists use their skills in "java," "application development," and "c++" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential applications development specialist responsibilities here:

Instructional skills. One of the key soft skills for an applications development specialist to have is instructional skills. You can see how this relates to what applications development specialists do because "training and development specialists deliver employee training programs." Additionally, an applications development specialist resume shows how applications development specialists use instructional skills: "planned and prepared technical reports and instructional manuals as documentation of application development. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform applications development specialist duties is analytical skills. Applications development specialists responsibilities require that "training and development specialists must evaluate training programs, methods, and materials and choose those that best fit each situation." Applications development specialists also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "designed, modified and implemented c++ and java code as well as database triggers and procedures. "

Communication skills. applications development specialists are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to applications development specialist responsibilities, because "training and development specialists must convey information clearly and facilitate learning to diverse audiences." An applications development specialist resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "administrated sharepoint and .net technology solutions for the managed service division of this global telecommunications organization. "

Creativity. A big part of what applications development specialists do relies on "creativity." You can see how essential it is to applications development specialist responsibilities because "specialists should be resourceful when developing training materials." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical applications development specialist tasks: "maintained inventory control of the media delivery environments and performed environment certifications using db2 sql queries and jcl. "

Most common applications development specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most applications development specialists are:

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Compare different applications development specialists

Applications development specialist vs. Specialist

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

If we compare the average applications development specialist annual salary with that of a specialist, we find that specialists typically earn a $41,843 lower salary than applications development specialists make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between applications development specialists and specialists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like object oriented programming, service oriented architecture, and troubleshoot.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an applications development specialist are more likely to require skills like "java," "application development," "c++," and "web services." On the other hand, a job as a specialist requires skills like "patients," "customer service," "work ethic," and "patient care." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Specialists tend to reach lower levels of education than applications development specialists. In fact, specialists are 7.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Applications development specialist vs. Programming specialist

A programming specialist is responsible for the overall planning and supervising of programs, mostly in a non-profit organization. It is a programming specialist's job to allocate and manage the budget, hire staff, train volunteers, and ensure that goals are met. It is also their duty to devise strategies and come up with materials that would raise awareness for the program and its cause. Furthermore, a programming specialist is in charge of reaching out to people who will be a valuable asset for the program, such as speakers and educators.

A career as a programming specialist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an applications development specialist. In fact, programming specialists salary is $44,335 lower than the salary of applications development specialists per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real applications development specialist resumes. While applications development specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "java," "application development," "c++," and "web services," programming specialists use skills like "social work," "customer service," "veterans," and "technical assistance."

Programming specialists earn a lower average salary than applications development specialists. But programming specialists earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $82,736. Additionally, applications development specialists earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $128,540 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Programming specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than applications development specialists. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Applications development specialist vs. Development officer

Development Officers are responsible for managing the learning and development of an organization's workforce. Their duties include identifying development needs through job analysis and cross-team consultation, implementing training programs, producing training materials, and monitoring trainees' progress through questionnaires and appraisal schemes. They are also involved in conducting cost-budgeting for programs and organizing support sessions with trainers and managers to address issues. A Development Officer attends meetings, reads journals, and researches new workplace learning methodologies to access the most current solutions.

On average scale, development officers bring in lower salaries than applications development specialists. In fact, they earn a $21,315 lower salary per year.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an applications development specialist is likely to be skilled in "java," "application development," "c++," and "web services," while a typical development officer is skilled in "stewardship," "alumni," "customer service," and "patients."

Development officers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $92,824. Comparatively, applications development specialists have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $128,540.Most development officers achieve a similar degree level compared to applications development specialists. For example, they're 3.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Applications development specialist vs. Learning specialist

Learning specialists are highly skilled teachers providing educational support to students who struggle academically at schools. They are responsible for working closely with students and their parents to develop a learning strategy suitable for a student's learning style to improve their grades and academic progress. Other responsibilities of a learning specialist include educating teachers and parents on learning differences, communicating with teachers and parents regularly about a student's progress, and keeping abreast of current teaching methods.

Learning specialists average a lower salary than the annual salary of applications development specialists. The difference is about $42,821 per year.While their salaries may vary, applications development specialists and learning specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "sharepoint," "hr," and "training materials. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An applications development specialist uses "java," "application development," "c++," and "web services." Learning specialists are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "professional development," "project management," and "subject matter experts. "In general, learning specialists earn the most working in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $77,410. The highest-paying industry for an applications development specialist is the finance industry.In general, learning specialists hold higher degree levels compared to applications development specialists. Learning specialists are 11.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of applications development specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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