Business Systems Analyst

Under general direction, identifies plans, analyzes, develops, tests and implements information technology system solutions to address the business needs of Solano County Departments.

The Department of Information Technology is recruiting for a regular position.

 

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill part-time and full-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur or the need arises.  

Incumbents in this class work in partnership with departments and IT technical staff on a variety of projects relating to departmental system needs.  Incumbents exercise broad discretion in determining the work methods and assignments.  This position is distinguished from the Systems Analyst in that the Business Systems Analyst focus is primarily on systems and technology planning for the assigned business unit(s), information engineering, and conceptual and logical system design.  This includes gathering and documenting functional business system requirements in the implementation of technology projects; the analysis of system structure, system configuration, workflow and work processes; and, business process re-engineering.  This position functions within the framework of County Information Technology standards.
 

Receives direction from the Systems and Programming Manager, the IT Finance & Administration Manager, and may receive functional direction from a department director/manager.
 
May provide functional and/or technical guidance to project teams or newly hired employees.
 

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Performs requirements gathering, workflow analyses, data modeling and logical system design to resolve business problems and exploit integrated technology opportunities.
 
Plans and performs business systems analysis of major business activities and functions.
 
Develops specific technology plans with assigned departments within established County Technology standards, as a department/customer interface and liaison.
 
Creates formal documentation of functional specifications describing customer business requirements.
 
Provides cost/benefit analyses and IT project justifications; provides input into budget preparation and assists in monitoring project budgets.
 
Researches new hardware and software requests and ensures that procurement procedures are followed.
 
Plans and executes application unit, integration and acceptance testing in conjunction with users and technical resources; writes test plans and use cases; writes system documentation
 
Identifies business application and integrated technology opportunities and solutions for resolving business problems.  Prepares reports and cost-benefit justifications.
 
Assists with the development of cost estimates, cost/benefit analyses and IT project justifications, and assists with the development of funding requests and proposals.
 
Advises customers on best practices, application customizations and interface strategies; designs customizations where needed in collaboration with the customer and the technical team.
 
Performs packaged software fit-gap analysis.
 
Performs or facilitates system set up and configuration activities.
 
Designs and creates reports or data marts.
 
Writes training curriculum and trains department end users in new system applications.
 
May serve as team lead for assigned projects.  Facilitates and/or works as a member of cross-functional teams to address and analyze business requirements and automated systems issues, along with other developmental aspects of assigned projects.
 
Consults with assigned departments on IT security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines. Identifies security and application access needs for department; assists with the development of departmental security definitions and profiles; identifies and develops recommendations for other system controls.
 

Knowledge of :
 
Business systems applications and business best practices
 
Methods of developing business process specifications
 
Methods, metrics, tools and techniques of business process reengineering.
 
Systems development life cycle (SDLC) concepts used to plan, develop, implement, operate and maintain information systems
 
Database management systems and their application
 
Principles and techniques of software and systems quality assurance and control
 
Principles and practices of producing effective project documentation including business functions and technical systems and processes
 
Principles and practices of project management for business systems implementations or change management projects
 
Principles, practices and techniques of customer service and project management
 
Methods of technical planning; systematic approach(s) to problem solving
 
Team dynamics and team building
 
Ability to:
 
Learn and understand the business processes and needs of assigned departments and develop subject matter expertise
 
Synthesize complex technical information and communicate it clearly to non-technical audiences.
 
Analyze, evaluate and implement systems solutions to improve client’s business processes.
 
Analyze complex business problems and develop appropriate systems and business process recommendations/solutions
 
Develop and document business and technical processes, functions and procedures.
 
Trouble shoot production issues and use trouble shooting and trace tools.
 
Map business processes and compare those processes to industry best practices.
 
Work effectively in a diversified team environment; guide and support project team members; use appropriate style and approach to ensure team cohesiveness and cooperation
 
Operate a variety of usual and specialized software programs to include word processing, spreadsheets, and specialized databases at a level sufficient for successful job performance.
 
Work independently within established County guidelines
 
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
 
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
 
Skills to:
 
Operate a variety of usual and specialized software programs to include word processing, spreadsheets, and specialized databases at a level sufficient for successful job performance.
 

Experience
Three (3) years of full-time experience in business systems analysis, business process re-engineering, workflow analysis, data modeling, or system implementation/upgrade activities, or a combination of the above functions.
 
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Business Administration, Accounting, or in a closely related field is required.

All candidates must submit a copy of their Bachelor's Degree (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the date and degree conferred).  Candidates who fail to submit their degree or transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. 

 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:  Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service.  The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the document deadlines above.  Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

 

Degree Submittal

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA  94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424 or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Business Systems Analyst) and the recruitment number (14-364030-01).  When submitting documents via email, include the recruitment title and number in the subject field. 

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.  

1.  Describe your experience working on a development/system implementation project in a team environment.  Include objective, number of members on the team, results attained, and your role on the team.

2.  Describe your experience in report writing, specifically your use of Business Objects, Crystal Reports, and SQL Reporting Services.

3.  Describe your experience with providing customer support for public sector agencies.  Include your role and area of support.

4.  Describe your experience working with an electronic health record system (EHR).

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, Class C

Independent travel may be required.
 
Incumbents are required to work outside normal business hours.

Candidates for positions in this class will be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and/or policy.

04/18/2014 Deadline to submit application and required documents
04/25/2014 Complete Screening of Applications
04/28/2014 Send Notices to Applicants
05/05/2014 Tentative week for Oral Board Interviews

SALARY POLICIES - The starting salary is ordinarily the first rate shown on the front of the announcement.  Salary advancement is authorized after satisfactory completion of additional periods outlined in the employee’s memoranda of understanding or the County’s Personnel and Salary Resolution.  Longevity, shift differential, bilingual, call-back and stand-by pay maybe available for some job classes. 

 

HOLIDAYS – Regular and limited-term employees receive 12 paid holidays per year.

 

ANNUAL/SICK LEAVE - Regular and limited-term employees accrue vacation leave at the rate of 10 days per year.  After a certain period of continuous service, employees accrue vacation time at a higher rate as outlined in the employee’s memoranda of understanding or resolution. Regular and limited-term full time employees accumulate 12 sick leave days per year.

 

RETIREMENT – Non-Safety

Employees who have never been a member of any public retirement system prior to January 1, 2013, or who have moved between retirement systems and were not subject to reciprocity, or who have moved between public employers within a public retirement system after a break in service that is greater than six months are eligible for a miscellaneous retirement plan of the 2% at age 62 benefit formula.  Employees entering membership in Solano County’s miscellaneous retirement plan on or after May 4, 2012 but before January 1, 2013, or who have moved between public employers within a public retirement system with a break in service that is less than six months are eligible for a 2% at age 60 benefit formula.  Employees entering membership in Solano County’s miscellaneous retirement plan prior to May 4, 2012 are eligible for a 2.7% at age 55 benefit formula. 

 

HEALTH BENEFITS - Employees and their dependents are eligible for vision and dental insurance with 100% of the cost paid by the County of Solano.  The County also participates in a cafeteria medical plan administered by PERS HealthCare (eligibility is dependent upon job class). 

 

OTHER BENEFITS – Employees may also elect to participate in deferred compensation, credit union, life insurance, and flexible spending plan.  All County employees are eligible to purchase auto and/or home owners, renter insurance from Liberty Mutual Insurance.  An Employee Assistance Program is also provided.

 

EXTRA-HELP - Extra-help employees do not receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a written and/or practical exam, an oral interview, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check.  These provisions are subject to change.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process. 

All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (e.g. degrees, DD-214) must be submitted with a document cover sheet, available on the employment website or at the Department of Human Resources’ office,  and are due by the final filing date.  Previously submitted application materials (.e.g., copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

 

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply.  Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533.  The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  Paper applications may be completed in person during office hours. EOE/AA

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE, MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.  Disability must be rated at least 10% to be eligible for disabled veteran's points. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined grade.  Disabled veterans shall have 10 points added to their combined grade.  Veteran scores will only be added to passing scores. 

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need special testing arrangements, must contact the Solano County Department of Human Resources at (707)784-6170, to obtain a Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form.  This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: All persons hired will be required to participate in the direct deposit program.

 

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE ACT – Depending on the applicant’s job class, prospective employees may be required to undergo a Urine Drug Test in accordance with the Solano County Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Solano County employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the California Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990.

 

RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees. 

 

BACKGROUND PROCESS –The background process may include but not limited to conducting a reference check, completing a personal history statement, conducting a background interview, and live scan fingerprinting.  The County of Solano also utilizes e-Verify to verify employment eligibility.  Note:  A felony conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.    The County will consider the nature, date and relationship between the offense and the position for which you are applying.

 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION - Prior to appointment, candidates may be required to pass a medical examination.  Candidates are encouraged not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical examination has been completed and passed.

 

APPOINTMENT - At the time of appointment, all candidates will be required to execute an oath of allegiance to the United States and the State of California and may be fingerprinted.  Candidates will also be required to offer proof that they are a lawfully admitted alien or U.S. citizen.

 

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - All new positions are required to successfully complete a minimum probationary period of 6 to 12 months, depending upon the job class.  A probationary period does not apply to "at will" positions.

 

DISASTER WORKERS - In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

 

EXTRA-HELP – An employee appointed to an extra-help position must meet all the requirements of the corresponding regular position.  Extra-help employees cannot work more than 999 hours in the fiscal year.  Extra-help employees are excluded from civil service and do not have rights to regular or continued employment.

 

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.