Technology Solutions Analyst - Senior

To provide specialized professional information technology support to operating departments that are responsible for multiple department, County-wide or statewide automated systems; provide business systems analysis, system hardware and software support, and complex project management; and to document and analyze existing procedures and business requirements for the development and revision of large complex computer applications and business processes through technology solutions.

This is the full advanced journey professional level class in the Technology Solutions Analyst series.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Technology Solutions Analyst II by the performance of the advanced range of duties as assigned including sensitive, highly specialized, larger and most difficult or complex projects.  They provide services for larger groups, or in a multi-department, countywide, or statewide scope.  Incumbents have broad latitude for judgment and independently perform their functions and exercise team leadership.  Employees at this level work concurrently on multiple and parallel large or complex projects.  Employees at this level rarely receive instruction or assistance and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of assigned department.

Receives direction from an assigned supervisor.

Exercises technical and functional supervision and may exercise direct supervision over professional and technical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize and direct operational information technology functions; develop multiple department, countywide, or statewide solutions that have a major impact on the current operations.
• Prepare and administer large, complex program budgets; determine staffing and outsourcing needs.
• Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; provide standards and operating guidelines, provide timely input to performance evaluations; 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.
• Create and document long-term strategies for project related informational systems operations.
• Coordinate problem solving and conflict resolution within assigned program and with other divisions, departments and/or agencies.
• Provide assistance to management in the development of information technology strategy usage; define implementation to ensure that business targets and objectives are met; document business rules, functional requirements and determines the best information technology business practices.
• Act as a technical resource for staff, identify and evaluate alternatives and recommend business process re-engineering through information systems; initiate and obtain consensus standardizing operational procedures where possible; assist in identifying potential and required changes to business practices and procedures; analyze and determine how existing jobs and workflow will change; define strategies for the transition from old to new procedures, where necessary.
• Recommend contractor selection and assist with vendor and contract management; monitor technical agreements with vendors.
• Provide targeted professional support for specific department program or applications; test programs and applications from the user’s perspective.
• Analyze regulatory rules and issues to identify impact on current information technology operations.
• Prepare and maintain project plans, budgets and work plans.
• Perform complex configuration, modification, testing and implementation of vendor software; develop, coordinate and implement plans to test business and functional processes during system development and quality assurance testing.
• Conduct systems analysis; develop business requirements; design functional specifications; write source code; test application; implement application to appropriate users; prepare system, user and code documentation.
• Manage, coordinate and implement department web projects; perform web development and project management including database coordination; conduct web security technical patch analysis; perform web technical incident response planning and handling including security disaster recovery; perform web technical quality assurance, web utility scripting and coding, Internet technical liaison (webmaster functions), and web site technical analysis and portal management; perform trend tracking; act as web technical trainer.
• Develop and review technical Feasibility Study Report and Request for Proposals; assist with grant writing as necessary.
• Participate in defining requirements, development, design and validation of new automated systems.
• Plan, coordinate and direct conversion from legacy system and the implementation / ongoing maintenance of new computer system.
• Conduct legal compliance patch analysis.
• Perform technical troubleshooting and on-call support.
• Research available technologies, perform cost/benefit analysis, evaluate and recommend solutions related to the program assigned; manage and execute installation upgrades and system patches; track problems and requests for system enhancements and equipment upgrades and resolve problems as they occur.
• Serve as a trainer for staff regarding new procedures and software applications; demonstrate the software application systems; prepare written procedures and training materials for staff.
• Represent the department to outside groups and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Follow County policies and procedures.
• Work in a safe manner at all times.
• 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 technology solutions experience similar to the Technology Solutions Analyst II with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, computer science, or a related field. 

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.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of business operations analysis.
• Advanced principles and practices of project management and workflow analysis.
• Principles of organizational behavior and change management.
• Trends and current developments in technology as it relates to business functions and operations.
• Verbal and written presentation techniques and practices.
• Principles and practices of information technology, including equipment, systems and applications.
• Process analysis, testing, and troubleshooting/problem solving.
• Flow-charting and technical report writing.
• Principles and practices of good customer service.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Conduct business needs analysis and propose technology solutions that have multiple department, Countywide, or statewide operational impacts.
• Analyze and diagnose, at a high-level, complex software problems and determine effective technological solutions.
• Manage large, complex, and/or multiple projects effectively.
• Analyze, develop, document and train others in the effective operating procedures and methods targeted towards greater quality of work product and efficiency.
• Organize and manage multiple complex projects and priorities and perform a variety of work assignments effectively.
• Prepare effective oral and written presentations.
• Lead teams and groups in discussions and meetings to reach consensus regarding technological solutions.
• Work independently and as a cooperative, contributing member of a team.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist when performing installation or repair of equipment; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; and lift heavy weight.
• Analyze data, work methods, procedures, and operational needs and develop appropriate solutions.
• Read, concentrate, comprehend and retain complex technical information on computer products and systems.
• Diagnose and develop logical, reliable solutions to problems with applications, communications and operating systems and initiate corrective action.
• Prepare and implement project budgets.
• Write procedures and documentation for problems, solutions and standards.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information.
• Provide on-call duties and service during off hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Communicate technical issues to individuals with varying degrees of computer familiarity.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a respectful, tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

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.

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