Software Analyst

PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Application & Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

THIS EXAM HAS A LIMITED FILING PERIOD

Applications will only be accepted on Friday, May 29th, 2015 from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Applications will only be accepted online.

On May 29th, "Click Here to Apply" button will appear at the bottom of this page. Be aware that if you complete an application template you must still return to this page and apply for the position in the time period stated above to submit the application for the Software Analyst.

MISSION STATEMENT - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

The Mission of the Alameda County Information Technology Department is to provide county departments and agencies with: Information Technology Consulting, Strategic Planning, Data Center and Cloud Services, Application and Web Services, Internet and Intranet Connectivity, Network Services, Mobile Technology, and Social Media.

THE POSITION

Under general direction, to investigate, analyze, and evaluate software programs which will improve the efficiency of the technical staff and computer operations; to develop logic, write, and test software programs defined by higher level software programmers; to enhance, install, and test vendor supplied utilities and software packages; to assist in the development and modification of relatively complex software; to write operations manuals and guides and to do related work as required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

·       Solving relatively complex software problems from minimal diagnostic information.

·       Applying the principles of software development and design to a variety of situations.

·       Knowledge of principles of systems analysis and software development lifecycle.

·       Analyze systems and make recommendations for enhancements and efficiencies.

·       Experience with  testing and supporting web-based applications, SQL programming, and/or batch control
         programming utilizing  JCL or Windows batch.

·       Knowledge in database technologies: DB2 or SQL Server preferred.

·       Experience with scripting languages : VBScript, Rexx, and/or Javascript.

·       Interpreting and evaluating existing software tools and enhancing them for efficiency.

·       Ability to develop clear and concise instructional and procedural manuals.

·       Strong written and verbal communications with customers, peers and vendors.

 

Either I

The equivalent of one year in the class of Programmer Analyst or an equivalent or higher class in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts) with experience in software programming.

Or II

The equivalent of four years of recent, full-time, increasingly responsible experience in computer programming, including at least two years in software programming and analysis.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of computer operating system software programming and systems analysis.
• Principles and techniques of applications programming.
• Principles and techniques of assembler language programming.
• Job Control Language for current County hardware.
• Methods of program problem analysis and correction.
• File organization for current County hardware.
• Data organization and access methods in computerized systems.

Abilities:

• Solving relatively complex software problems from relatively minimal diagnostic information.
• Applying the principles of software programming and design to a variety of situations.
• Developing software programs.
• Interpreting and evaluating existing software programs and enhancing them for efficiency.
• Writing clear and concise instructional and procedural manuals.
• Giving guidance and technical assistance to applications programmers and Programmer Analysts involved in software programming.
• Communicating and working effectively with data processing staff and vendors.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps:

1)  A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of the minimum qualifications.  Those candidates meeting the minimum qualifications will move forward to the next step in the exam process.

2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process

3)  An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates final examination score.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATON. 

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

 

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Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Limited Filing Period: Review of Minimum Qualifications: Review for Best Qualified: Oral Exam: Departmental Interview:

8:00am-5:00pm, Friday, May 29, 2015 Friday, June 5, 2015 Friday, June 12, 2015 To be determined To be determined

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.   Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

 

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

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SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTTIONAIRE: Below are the questions included in the supplemental questionnaire. You may prepare your answers before the application date however, your responses must be submitted on the May 29, 2015 along with your application. Responses will ONLY be accepted online WITH application.

1.  Describe your experience with using, administering, & supporting Operating Systems using Windows, AIX, Linux,
     Z/OS; including years of experience, last used and level of involvement.

2. Describe your experience with using, testing, maintaining and/or tuning on Platforms using Java, Websphere,
    PeopleSoft, .Net, CICS, COBOL, DB2, SQL Server, SQL Reporting Services and WebServers; include years of
     experience, last used and level of involvement.

3. Describe your experience with using tools & utilities in support of  Platforms using Java, Websphere, PeopleSoft, .Net,
    CICS, COBOL, DB2, SQL Server, SQL Server Reporting Services, Systems Integration methods and technologies,
    and WebServers; include years of experience, last used and level of involvement.

4. Describe your experience and type of scripting, coding or testing used in support of  Platforms using Java, Websphere,
    PeopleSoft, .Net, CICS, COBOL, Powerbuilder, DB2, SQL Server, SQL Server Reporting Services, SQL commands,
    stored procedures, VB script, Windows command, ZOS JCL .Rexx, and WebServers; include years of experience, last
     used and level of involvement.

5. Describe your experience using automated testing tools, platforms, years of experience and last performed.

6. Describe your prior employers’ environment giving approximate sizes of environment (your immediate team, company,
    data file/database sizes, number of servers) and describe how you handled high availability within each environment. 
    Identify if the environment required 24/7 coverage and what was your involvement with each of the environments;
    include time-period involved with each environment.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

Sylvia Perez,  Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

510-208-9593

sylvia.perez@acgov.org

 

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer