What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Systems Analyst position at Richland County Government?
General Summary
The Business Analyst performs an intermediate level of project/program/support analysis, as well as other technical and administrative duties related to the design, establishment, enhancement, and support of Richland County’s application software and data environment.
Performs intermediate analysis while using the Agile development methodology. Will interview customers to determine current/future application software requirements and to write requirements definitions. Will often mentor junior staff on how to effectively conduct customer interviews.
Using intermediate skills, assists with feasibility studies, cost/benefit analyses, product research, and system design. Assists the Senior Business Analyst and the Systems Analyst/Project leader to coordinate system implementations, develop acceptance criteria, coordinate acceptance testing, coordinate system conversions, coordinate the integration of new systems to existing systems, and conduct post-implementation reviews.
Performs high-level technical review of enterprise data to determine accuracy and usability. Under the supervision of senior staff, will assist with the management of data conversion, application development, as well as database and system design.
Provides technical assistance to County departments in implementing software projects. Trains County employees in standard business procedures and software. Supports operations of a multi department business enterprise.
General Dimensions
Education
Must have a four-year degree in a field applicable to this position or equivalent professional experience. High School diploma is required. Must be able to supply written proof of completion for all course work and/or degrees that are being used to satisfy the minimum requirements.
Licenses
Must possess a valid South Carolina Driver’s License. Applicants shall provide a current copy of their Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), obtained at the applicant’s expense.
Experience and Skillsets
This is not an entry-level position. The successful candidate must have a proven history of success using intermediate analytical skills. Must be able to provide a portfolio of successful projects where the business rules, processes, and features were directly influenced by the contributions made by the Business Analyst. In determining relevant skills and experience, the following criteria will be considered.
- Must have intermediate business analysis skills/experience with a history of successfully assisting in the design of state-of-the-art software applications.
- Must have intermediate experience conducting user interviews to identify business requirements, and translating business requirements into system requirements and systems design.
- Must have intermediate experience in designing business systems that preserve data integrity.
- Must have intermediate experience negotiating acceptance criteria with both vendors and user departments, and coordinating acceptance testing according to the acceptance criteria.
- Must have intermediate experience working with project managers to assist projects through the full project life cycle and be able to help organize projects from beginning to end. This includes assisting with project plans, and helping to set specific, realistic, and measurable objectives.
- Must have a successful track record contributing to the successful completion of projects in accordance to established budget, schedule, and quality objectives.
- Must be familiar with the latest technology trends, including the latest technology hardware, software, security, and telecommunications.
- Must have fundamental understanding of network security, and various methods to prevent hackers, viruses, and unauthorized uses of the business software running on the network.
- Must have prior experience with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) practices and procedures.
- A preferred skill would be database query/design experience.
References
Must have a minimum of three professional or educational references to verify technical aptitude, professionalism, diplomacy, teamwork, positive morale, commitment to customer service, attendance/absenteeism, overall reliability, overall work ethic, and ability to be trustworthy caretaker of confidential information.
Physical Requirements
- Must have a personal car available for off-site assignments.
- Must be able to use hands to work with computer equipment for anticipated projects that use bar code scanners, hand-held computers, mobile devices, etc.
- Must be able to coordinate efforts of fingers, hands, and arms.
- Must have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, utilizing good grammar and good spelling.
- Must be able to perform technical reasoning and give concentrated mental effort.
- Must have high energy level, and be able to start and finish tasks quickly and accurately.
Working Conditions
The duties of this position are normally performed inside office locations, computer rooms, or at customer locations. This position requires occasional driving throughout Richland County, or traveling out-of-county for training and conferences. Driving can present a potential hazard.
This position occasionally requires lifting and moving of IT equipment. It also occasionally requires bending and crawling around IT equipment, sometimes in constrained areas, which can be considered a minor discomfort.
This position occasionally requires working weekends and evenings in order to meet project deadlines. Some candidates or incumbents may be asked to change their normal workweek, and to work Tuesday through Saturday, or Wednesday through Sunday, or to work four 10-hour days, or to start their workday at a different time, or some comparable variation thereof.
Essential Accountabilities
Note: The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if
such duties are a logical assignment to the position.
Is an active and effective participant on team projects using the Agile project methodology. Plays an important role in the design, installation, enhancement, and support of Richland County’s application software environment. Frequently participates on complex software projects that may have aggressive deadlines. May occasionally conduct training sessions in a classroom environment.
Assists with intermediate software tasks by reviewing/advising on improved business rules and processes. Assists with intermediate software support tasks by analyzing problems in existing systems to determine effective resolution. Helps ensure data integrity and effective/efficient business software operations. Translates users’ needs into fiscally and technically responsible solutions.
Works with the project managers in the planning and implementation of the short, medium, and long-term software projects, system implementations, and system conversions. Will participate on many of these projects. Assists in the planning and implementation of application software upgrades for the various vendor software packages. Helps create milestones for user and management signoffs. Assists with post-implementation reviews with management and end users.
Using various programming and analysis tools, develops specifications to enhance existing programs to meet current requirements, including the integration of county data into enterprise systems. Helps determine compatibility issues of new software projects and new software systems. Helps identify necessary interfaces and necessary integration. Assists RCIT management in the elimination of software and database silos to create a truly integrated enterprise system for Richland County. Plays an important role in the use of data analytics to turn information into insight and knowledge.
Consults with users to identify current operating procedures and to clarify objectives. Assists users to solve application problems. Helps review/advise on improved business rules and processes. Will assist on many software support tasks by analyzing problems in existing systems to determine effective resolution. Helps ensure data integrity and effective/efficient business software operations.
Helps coordinate the involvement and participation of user departments as their projects move forward. Works with user departments to develop criteria for system acceptance, and for the rigorous execution of acceptance testing. Will assist with project presentations/demos in front of small to large audiences.
Maintains high standards of accuracy. Uses rigorous testing techniques and Quality Assurance methodologies that strive for zero defects. Uses diagnostic software to detect errors and compatibility issues. Assists with application configuration/set-up, unit acceptance testing, and regression acceptance testing. Analyzes the complex interactions among data, users, departments, processes, and politics.
Plans, manages, and conducts mid-size software projects, including workplan development, cost estimating, and budgeting. Conducts user interviews to determine business requirements and specifications of new software projects. Prepares formal specification documents and end-user documentation. Creates/maintains metadata.
Assists RCIT management in the preparation of Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, Requests for Qualifications, and Requests for Bids. Closely follows all rules of procurement during the formal solicitation process.
Performs formal technology product research to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Richland County’s software environment. Meets with vendors to discuss and evaluate different hardware and software solutions. Provides technical advice to management and users both in verbal and written format. Prepares and submits to management formal research documents presenting the product research results, and gives appropriate purchasing recommendations based on the results of the research. Consistently applies state-of-the-art technology to improve the county’s operational environment.
Assists management in coordinating vendor activities in fulfilling their contractual obligations.
Prepares periodic status report of all active projects and submits to management. Establishes and maintains technical and user documentation of new and existing systems.
Keeps current on latest technology trends and terminology.
Accepts responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting project deadlines.
Consistently follows the IT Code of Conduct, showing 360-degree respect, and refrains from negative conversations and behaviors.
