SENIOR PROGRAMMER ANALYST

THE JOB: The current vacancy is in the Information Services Department. The incumbent will be expected to work with staff at all levels in order to elicit, document and analyze current business processes and user needs in order to develop recommendations for technology based solutions, either commercial or custom developed, that enhance or replace current process and improve the overall efficiency of the organization. This is a super-journey level for combined business applications analysis, design and programming work. Incumbents in this class work with considerable independence on complex systems and programs, typically have overall responsibility for design and installation of one or more major systems, and are expected to be competent in all phases of applications programming, design and analysis. An incumbent may provide work direction and training to lower level programmer analysts. The department uses Microsoft Visual Studio, VB .NET and SQL Server for in-house developed applications. The list established for this recruitment will be used to fill current and future part-time, full-time, temporary, and substitute vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Four years of experience performing both systems analysis/design and programming for business application, which entailed analysis and design of several systems.  

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of techniques used for finding and correcting problems in programs and systems;  principles and methods of business applications programming; principles and methods used in analysis and development of data processing applications; principles of systems and procedures analysis and documentation; and uses and limitation of data processing applications. Working knowledge of programming languages applicable to systems in use in Santa Cruz County; current development in data processing; and operating capabilities of common hardware configurations.   

Ability to: Define complex problem areas, collect and evaluate data, validate conclusions and make recommendations; develop complex data processing systems for efficient operations; modify and write complex programs for efficient business applications; plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement recommendations; write instructions and procedures and prepare systems and programming documentation; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with users and others contacted in the course of work; prepare clear and concise written reports; identify and take corrective actions to solve problems in programs and production systems; give continuing, meticulous attention to detail; concentrate on many complex elements of a problem; and interpret a variety of instructions provided in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.   

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT  – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
EMPLOYEE CREDIT UNION – Offers systematic savings and low interest loans.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.  

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.    

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.    

                 NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  

                                                                            An Equal Opportunity Employer