City and County of San Francisco

Under general direction, oversees most if not all of the various parts of the systems development cycle, including needs analysis, cost-benefit analysis, structured systems analysis and design, feasibility analysis, technology and software assessment, telecommunication needs analysis, project planning and management, system installation, implementation and testing, conversion to production status, technical and procedural documentation, user training, and post-implementation assessment and administration; may be the sole MIS resource for an organization with a moderately complex system.

The lS Business Analyst is the journey level in the Business Analyst series. Positions at this level are distinguished from Senior level Business Analysts by the lesser difficulty and complexity of the analytical tasks, and is distinguished from the Assistant level by the wider scope of responsibilities. At this level, incumbents work with only occasional instructions or assistance; analyses of average difficulty and complexity are performed with considerable latitude for independent action on less involved projects. Work requires interpretation of policies, procedures and guidelines; and may require the development of recommendations consistent with directives, policies and regulations. Work is normally reviewed upon completion and for overall results.

May be expected to provide supervision to subordinate clerical or technical staff, however, supervisory responsibilities are ancillary to the main intent and focus of the position.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Assess and optimize system designs through review and analysis of user needs, customizing systems through system design and administration to meet the changing business needs of the users; participate in the development of planning for remote hardware and communications facilities.

2. Analyze data processing needs; research and evaluate software on multiple platforms to assist users to meet their departmental goals; assist in developing the evaluation criteria for software.

3. Determine operating characteristics and requirements; develop or modify and document general system design; write detailed design specifications; conduct "walkthroughs" for proposed solutions to system problems.
4. Conduct feasibility studies; evaluate vendor products; make recommendations based on user requirements and systems analysis to ensure adequate planning.

5. Monitor the maintenance and enhancement of complex computer and telecommunications systems to ensure proper functionality; provide support, analysis, coordination and assistance for networks, including disaster recovery.

6. Troubleshoot software problems through telephone and site visit support; provide technical assistance in planning, engineering and architecture of unique systems for diverse applications; implement solutions to problems.

7. Conduct user training.

8. May install and maintain software; facilitate communication between clients and vendors regarding system maintenance issues; perform non-routine adds, moves and changes as needed.

9. Test and modify software for network compatibility; participate in the detail design and development of new applications; may write database applications.

10. Update system software and make modifications to system configurations; facilitate data communication between systems platforms.

11. Implement, maintain and update databases, tables and security access; create, document and compile manuals related to procedures.

12. Participate and represent the department in computer users meetings or meetings of related committees.

13. Research and evaluate technology through industry meetings, seminars, and vendor contacts; identify opportunities for improvements through automation; develop screen logic and reports.

14. Create and generate reports and statistics to meet user and program requirements; interface with other departments, jurisdictions and users on regulations and reporting requests.

15. Conduct database systems analysis and designs; may perform data normalization tasks; assist in the development of relational databases; assist in performance of data conversion tasks and maintenance of data dictionaries.

Knowledge of: Electronic data processing and its applications; requirements, installation procedures, hardware, software and maintenance of systems; functional requirements, structured systems or procedures analysis; database analysis; business applications development; systems implementation; technical writing; common operating systems; relational databases; network environments.

Ability and Skill to: Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain good working relations with department personnel, staff, vendors, peers, and management; understand and learn a variety of business procedures and processes; use logic and analysis to solve computer and systems problems; translate functional requirements into technical specifications; analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards; advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations; exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria; read and understand professional journals and literature.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:
An associate degree in computer science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university OR its equivalent in terms of total course credits/units [i.e., at least sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter credits/units with a minimum of twenty (20) semester or thirty (30) quarter credits/units in computer science or a closely-related field].

Experience:
One (1) year in the information systems field, including technical support, content management, administration of network applications or system analysis.

License and Certification:

Substitution:
Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). One (1) year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester units / forty-five (45) quarter units with a minimum of 10 semester / 15 quarter units in computer science or a closely related field.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.