Principal Solutions Analyst

Job Summary

Performs and conducts the most difficult and complex analysis, including comprehensive architecture design of Information Technology (IT) solutions provided to county business while providing the subject matter expertise on the disciplines, methods, processes, and technologies purchased as a service and/or deployed on premise in support of county business. Final stop for support for service interruptions and persistent problems by utilizing their knowledge of root cause analysis and correct action planning. Performs a high level of managing and coordinating work done by service providers on behalf of the county.

Job Description

Acts as the single source of information on county-wide application assets, services, and application performance measurements tied to BRM provided Collaboration and Total Cost of Ownership agreements.

Performs Level 3 technical support for assigned applications; owns the problems resolution, including managing vendor engagement; makes presentations to various groups and departments; provides customer services to the public and internal customers; conducts root cause analysis and provides resolution and/or guidance to vendors on resolution; and establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with others.

Conducts systems analysis; anticipates system performance problems, software and hardware errors, and initiates and expedites problem resolutions to meet system availability requirements; performs database maintenance and problem resolution on assigned systems/programs, as well as data modeling; identifies and reduces redundancies among existing and proposed technology; provides database development and support for one or more of the application platforms utilized by the county; responsible for data security and integrity; and develops and maintains Canonical model of Scott County Master Data.

Models solutions architecture based on industry best practices; performs application development work by following the Software Development Life Cycle (Analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Documentation, Implementation, and Support) and IT department standards; uses expert debugging techniques to test applications and/or data model; develops Internet and Intranet applications within various development environments; architects and provides integration into other county systems and applications using various languages (e.g., architecture application, database and web analysis, design, and development), including integration, documentation, and security. Guide systems/program development, maintenance, and planning to meet department goals.

Recommends software changes, additions, and upgrades to obtain more efficient operational performance and systems utilization; possesses and enhances expert level knowledge of one or more of Scott County's computer platforms (may specialize in one or more areas); enhances all existing business and technical applications; configures and makes recommendations for development servers, system security, Active Directory, etc.

Leads in developing and documenting standards and procedures for the county applications. Prepares functional and technical design documents; creates data models/test plans and test data; recommends various programming tools to compile, test and prepare programs; maintains a keen awareness of IT capabilities and initiatives; develops next generation ideas and solutions; provides technical expertise during implementation of technical IT architecture changes; creates and maintains detailed documentation of architectural designs and deployments; and defines architectural evolution towards the technical strategy in achievable stages. Participates in testing and trial runs of new and revised systems; and recommends enhancements for improving the application.

Provides project management services on specified initiatives; creates process and project documentation; ensures that assigned projects are completed by agreed upon deadlines and that management is continually informed of project status; prepares time and cost estimates; and follows P3 life cycle process. Implements state of the art technology solutions for system architectures, new initiatives, and business process improvements.

Conducts training for Information Technology staff on new and emerging applications, services, technology, as well as mentoring, coaching, and providing work direction to other Information Technology staff, including technical assistance regarding hardware/software.

Plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates vendor contract work for designated projects. Maintains working vendor relationships.

Runs confidential reports on system access and usage as requested; assists users in data reporting through developing reports, ad hoc queries, automated queries, and alerts.

Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.

Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related field and five years progressively responsible IT applications experience. Experience in a medium to large service industry organization is essential. Preference given for systems and database design experience in a client/server and/or web-based environment. Incumbent must have a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

Supervisory Controls
The employee is under the supervision of an IT Manager. The IT Manager will make work assignments via verbal and/or written instructions and will provide assistance to others as required, such as work direction and training to other IT professionals. Work may occasionally be reviewed for adequacy and compliance with policies and/or instructions.

Core Competencies and Abilities
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge and experience in the disciplines of solutions (applications) development and cross solution integration that deliver functional.

Knowledge and experience in using project management methods adhering to Scott County's PMO P3 office standards to effectively deliver assigned projects.

Knowledge and experience in IT Service Management processes for release and change management that minimize business disruptions and meet service performance expectations.

Knowledge of county key technologies, including: MS SQL Server, MS SharePoint, ServiceNow, Web-Related Technologies, Relational Database Technologies, and multiple Programming Languages.

Knowledge of application development and/or database design/data modeling methodologies and tools utilized by the county.

Knowledge of advanced principles, theories, and techniques of process management for business process improvement and reengineering.

Knowledge in technology and industry solutions including office automation, data processing techniques and practices, software development methodology, forms, and records management.

Knowledge of statistical, analytical, and research concepts and methods.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of planning and budgeting for projects and initiatives.

Knowledge of program evaluation methods.

Knowledge of relationships between internal and external agencies and governing entities.

Knowledge of e-business applications, and/or content management systems, Office 365 Suite including MS Project and Visio, graphics software.

Knowledge of ITIL Service Management and its service and delivery components.

Abilities – Ability to work in a team environment and effectively work with both technical and functional staff.

Ability to remain flexible without losing focus on priorities, deadlines, and customer service perspective.

Ability to work under the pressure of time constraints and frequent interruptions.

Ability to evaluate and recommend new technologies to support the county business functions in the short and long term; including system architecture, application architecture and database architecture.

Ability to apply systems thinking to public sector programs to try to streamline and improve processes.

Ability to gather, analyze, document, and communicate information appropriately based on project goals and audience are valuable skills.

Ability to lead and manage large enterprise-wide projects to completion and to plan, monitors, and review tasks for adherence to schedule and overall quality.

Ability to develop and present information for routine business and project analysis; ability to express complex technical concepts effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to work well with people from different disciplines with varying degrees of technical experience.

Ability to initiate and implement problem resolution, escalating issues appropriately.

Ability to work independently without close supervision.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use Office 365 suite of software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.