Principal Information Technology Analyst

The current vacancy is in the Butte County Information Systems Department. 

Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process.  All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application.

 "See Resume" is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question. 

FLSA: Exempt

DEFINITION

Under general direction, provides leadership, project management, and complex operational support to assigned information systems; recommends business solutions, and serves as a liaison between departmental users, information technology staff, and third-party vendors; designs, develops, implements, and maintains software and ensures successful integration with existing systems and applications; monitors systems to ensure performance and reliability standards are met; serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert providing recommendations, support, and training to information technology staff and users in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Some positions exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This classification in the Information Technology Analyst series is responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series and serving as a subject matter expert within assigned technology area. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement.   Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties.  Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services.  Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.  This class is distinguished from the Information Technology Supervisor in that the latter is a full supervisory-level classification responsible for overseeing the performance of professional and technical staff.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provides leadership, project management, and complex operational support to assigned department information systems, recommends business solutions, and serves as a liaison between departmental users, information technology staff, and third-party vendors.
• Performs complex and analytical work of a specialized nature in support of assigned technology programs.  
• Serves as project manager on assigned projects, coordinating and inspecting the work of professional and technical staff; determines project requirements, business needs, purpose or justification; identifies stakeholders, and functional area participation; refines project requirements, scope, objectives, deliverables, acceptance criteria, constraints, assumptions, and alternative solutions; estimates resource costs and overall project budget; identifies project staff roles and responsibilities; determines stakeholder information and communication plans.
• Provides technical and functional direction to assigned staff; reviews and controls quality of work; and provides technical and analytical support to technology programs.
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, codes, and regulations.
• Gathers user requirements; analyzes and documents current department practices and procedures to clearly describe processes, and to determine the technical and economic feasibility of providing automated solutions to manual business processes; provides input and recommendations regarding current and proposed business practices and the options for translating such practices into effective system deployments across multiple platforms.
• Identifies system deficiencies or additional resource requirements; develops and implements modified or enhanced systems to increase their efficiency, reliability, and availability; implements, tests, and evaluates the effectiveness of solutions.
• Plans, develops, and implements a department information technology security program which includes but is not limited to, security awareness, risk assessment, business impact analysis, disaster recovery, and business continuity.
• Performs regular security assessment of critical information technology network, server, and data storage infrastructure, systems, and devices to mitigate immediate threats and report potential vulnerabilities; identifies strengths and gaps which require action.  
• Uses multiple devices to monitor systems evaluating reliability, conformance to performance metrics, and overall availability; implements, tests, and evaluates the effectiveness of solutions; develops and implements related protocols, policies, procedures, and operating standards.
• Coordinates with other information technology staff to implement application design specifications and coordinate integration across multiple platforms and technologies; maintains effective communications with users regarding vendor activities, problems, status, timelines, and other details.
• Designs and writes computer programs using various computer languages and database platforms; writes programming code and scripts.
• Plans, implements, and manages department physical and virtual network infrastructure to accommodate department needs and comply with information technology policies, regulations, and guidelines; ensures the functionality and operational stability of the network  infrastructure and systems.
• Designs, develops, and creates database structures; develops and implements data migration/conversion techniques for systems conversions and/or upgrades; designs systems/database interfaces; develops standards and strategies to maintain database availability, reliability and security; makes and implements recommendations for current and future data storage requirements.
• Designs and executes application and quality assurance testing plans to validate functionality; tests, troubleshoots, and de-bugs programs using appropriate technology tools; resolves programming issues; refines data and formats final products.  
• Conducts group and/or one-on-one training sessions with application users and/or technology staff to provide information on application functions; designs and prepares training materials.
• Conducts research and stays current on new trends and innovative solutions for technology programs; recommends new technologies which would improve the District’s operational effectiveness or services to business and instructional departments.
• Enforces industrial security best practices to harden systems and secure data.
• Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; prepares training materials and conducts formal and informal training programs; and advises on best practices.
• Provides work direction to lower-level staff on a project basis.
• Observes and complies with County, department, and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training. 
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of strategic communication and public speaking.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Operations, services, and activities of integrated information technology systems. 
• Methods and techniques of evaluating business need requirements to provide technology solutions.   
• Principles, methods, and techniques used in designing, developing, testing, and implementing information technology applications.
• Principles and practices of leadership. 
• Project planning, prioritizing and scheduling techniques.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Server based operating systems and desktop software applications including system standards, and protocols.
• Principles and techniques of systems planning and programming.
• Concepts and specifics of database management information systems and technology.
• Principles and practices of technology system security. 
• Principles and practices of database design, development, administration and management.
• Methods and techniques of system and application integration.
• Multiple programming languages used in department technology programs. 
• Computer hardware and software systems similar to those being used by the operating department, including business applications, operating systems, and network systems.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of troubleshooting, diagnosing, and resolving hardware and software, and network/telecommunication system issues. 
• Research techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Technical report writing practices and procedures.
• Principles and procedures of record-keeping and reporting.
• County, department, and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Train staff in work procedures.   
• Plan, organize and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Provide professional support to a diverse range of technology systems, hardware, and software. 
• Analyze complex user problems, evaluate alternatives and devise efficient, cost-effective, user-friendly solutions.
• Lead the design, development, testing, and implementation of new technology systems. 
• Leverage knowledge of the department’s business needs to enhance system design and capabilities.
• Install, implement, administer, and maintain department and third-party applications. 
• Design and develop integration with other systems as required by the business.
• Take measures to ensure the integrity of system data. 
• Implement database and/or system security measures. 
• Monitor systems operational effectiveness, reliability or security vulnerability, and respond accordingly.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures and standards relevant to work performed. 
• Participate in the development and implementation of technology policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Utilize appropriate diagnostic and testing equipment to detect and resolve hardware and software issues.
• Plan, develop, and facilitate training. 
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate technical documentation, user guides, reports of work performed, and other written materials.
• Communicate complex technology issues clearly to non-technical parties.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science, information technology, or a related field; and  

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience providing highly complex technical support to information systems in assigned program area.

Certifications and Licenses:

• A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas is may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, climb, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds with the use of proper equipment.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.   
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.   

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.   

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer and related equipment, fax machine, standard office equipment, small hand and power tools, and motor vehicle.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County 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.

Salary : $85,821 - $115,003