Information Technology Analyst - Senior

Placer County is a beautiful place to live and work. Stretching from the suburban outskirts of the Sacramento Valley to the mountains of the North Lake Tahoe region, quality of life in Placer County is truly the key to its attractiveness.  Recreational prospects abound in the County’s numerous rivers, lakes, state parks and ski resorts. Three vibrant suburban communities offer world-class shopping and dining, cultural activities, and the chance to tee off at one of several championship golf courses. The foothills, home to the world-famous Gold Country, offer well-stocked rivers and tree-lined lakes.  This distinctive area gives residents the opportunity to explore the lifestyle of country living with big city convenience while bringing them closer to nature and surrounding them with history.

Placer County's Administrative Services Department is seeking a PeopleSoft Systems Administrator/Business Analyst.  Ideal candidates should be familiar with PeopleSoft and Oracle applications.  Preferred skills include PeopleSoft system design, security, operations, troubleshooting, upgrades, and defining operational policies and procedures.  Other desired skills include collaboration, customer service, and progressive-thinking.

An application appraisal screening MAY be conducted to select a reasonable number of the best qualified candidates. The criteria for this screening is listed as preference language under the note in the Minimum Qualifications section of this posting.

To oversee and implement highly technical information technology functions including network operating systems, database management, and network infrastructure; to identify and implement network infrastructure needs; to manage large, complex projects; and to manage operational systems such as host systems, network infrastructure and communications.

This is the advanced journey professional level class in the Information Technology Analyst series.  Positions in this class are team leaders and/or technical specialists who define problems and propose solutions.  The Senior Information Technology Analyst class is distinguished from Information Technology Analyst II by the size, sensitivity, and complexity of projects assigned; discretion exercised over technical issues, problems and resolutions; and the high level of team leadership exercised.  Employees in this class may provide technical and functional supervision over others.  Employees in this class are highly customer and team-oriented and work with peers, outside organizations and management in an effective and professional manner.

Receives direction from an assigned supervisor.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over professional and technical staff.

• Coordinate and monitor information technology operational systems for the County or department network infrastructure, including analyzing, diagnosing, maintaining, and troubleshooting assigned system areas such as operating systems, database systems and/or network systems including routers, switches, and hubs.
• Act as team leader and/or technical specialist for large, sensitive, broad based and complex projects affecting many users, departments and outside organizations.
• Train, lead and provide technical guidance to professional and technical staff assigned to operating systems, network infrastructure or database administration.
• Schedule and provide coverage for on-call assignments.
• Coordinate the activities of County technical personnel and contract personnel during major and minor network problems; provide problem status, oral and written, to management; focus on preventing and resolving network and system problems related to area of assignment.
• Provide written and oral status reports on assigned projects, system activity, scheduled network maintenance, network account information, and network problems.
• Provide follow-up on open trouble calls to customers and management; meet with customers to understand their business needs and issues.
• Perform software and hardware installs of a more complex nature.
• Coordinate the activities of County and contract personnel through all phases of information technology projects; plan, guide, and track information for technology projects.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; provide standards and operating guidelines; provide timely input to performance evaluations, as assigned; recommend disciplinary measures, when necessary; implement discipline procedures, as directed; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the Department.
• Prepare and maintain systems procedures and documentation; monitor systems and network resources; maintain and administer security systems and methodologies for the most complex systems.
• Assist in the development and administration of Request for Proposals to acquire applicable departmental programs or systems from vendors to meet the identified departmental needs.
• Answer questions and provide information to personnel of customer departments; analyze questions and recommend appropriate corrective action as necessary.
• Provide budget recommendations and assist in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget; monitor and control expenditures.
• Assist in defining customer needs; analyze vendor solutions to project objectives; and resolve issues between staff, vendors and customers.
• Assist in planning and coordinating the activities and work priorities of assigned area.
• Coordinate information technology activities of County departments, division staff, and/or vendors, consistent with project plans; identify and resolve obstacles to progress, prepare for and mange delivery and installation.
• Evaluate and recommend customer technical solutions; design and/or identify solutions integrating County network infrastructure and other systems, considering protocols, standard data elements and codes, acceptable system security risk and other related elements.
• Evaluate operations and activities of customer support; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Follow, maintain, and implement internal control, network security and other security systems for computer and telecommunication data, systems and hardware protection.
• Maintain and administer County security systems and methodologies.
• Maintain and update manuals, codebooks, templates, web pages for departments, and computer control tables.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Monitor project schedules and work requests; coordinate with customer department management and staff; report project status to management; and prepare internal and external project reports.
• Participate in the analysis, diagnosis and correction of important, complex problems with existing computer applications with vendor or Information Technology.
• Research and prepare highly technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
• Review reports and customer documentation.
• Comply with labor laws and personnel policies; document and report complaints and incidents in a timely manner.
• Build and maintain positive and professional working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public and outside organizations using principles of good customer service.
• Work in a safe manner at all times.
• Follow County policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: Two years journey level professional information technology experience similar to the Information Technology Analyst II with Placer County or two years of advanced journey professional technology solutions experience similar to the Senior Technology Solutions Analyst with Placer County or four years of relevant experience with operating systems, database administration or network infrastructure.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in computer science, business administration, or a related field.  Two years of relevant technical work experience or relevant certifications may be substituted for two years of the required education.

Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Personnel Department.

Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Certified Netware Engineer (CNE) as required by position.
• Microsoft Certified Engineer (MSCE) as required by position.
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) as required by position.
• Oracle certified Database Administrator (DBA) as required by position.

NOTE:  If needed, an additional screening will be conducted to select the best qualified candidates for this recruitment.  Best-qualified consideration will be given to those applicants who demonstrate functional and/or technical experience with PeopleSoft HRMS applications.  

Knowledge of:

• Effective report writing, documentation and research for highly complex technical work.
• Principles and practices of good team building, team leadership and conflict resolution methodologies.
• Advanced budgeting procedures and techniques related to complex project work.
• Advanced principles and practices of business office automation and information technology, including network infrastructure, database administration or operating systems as assigned.
• Advanced principles and practices of project management and work flow analysis.
• Common application programming languages.
• Principles and practices of application systems and procedures analysis and design.
• Principles and practices of good customer service.
• Advanced principles and practices of systems and procedures analysis and design.
• Security systems and methodologies for network computer and communications systems.
• Standards and protocols for data communications and methodologies for data base management.
• Troubleshooting techniques used in resolving operational problems with computer software.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Train multiple team members in the use of complex technical equipment and software.
• Lead, coordinate and track activities of numerous agencies and departments participating in projects.
• Lead, train, assign, schedule and review the work of staff.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned projects.
• Manage meetings effectively.
• Diagnose problems of the most complex nature.
• Work independently researching and proposing solutions to technical problems of the most complex nature.
• Effectively work with County employees from multiple departments, with contract employees and outside vendors to complete information technology projects.
• Conduct analysis of alternatives; develop and review a technical support plan; write computer programs to meet department-specific needs for internal and external users, including database programs, in accordance with established standards and practices.
• Analyze and define problems, identify appropriate alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and coordinate and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and explain pertinent County and Department policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Maintain and update highly technical and complex manuals, codebooks and computer control tables.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift heavy weight, depending on assignment area.
• Prepare and maintain documentation for systems procedures, such as network applications troubleshooting, backup and recovery procedures.
• Provide on-call duties and service during off hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a respectful, tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Best Qualified Screening (PASS/FAIL)

An application appraisal screening MAY be conducted to select a reasonable number of the best-qualified candidates. The criteria for this screening is listed as preference language under the note in the Minimum Qualifications section.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at:
http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for the Professional Bargain Unit