City of Foster City

Estero Municipal Improvement District

Job Specification

Sr. Systems Analyst

DEFINITION:

This position focuses in the areas of Network / Telecommunications Administration and Applications / Database / GIS Development depending upon the operational needs of the Information Technology division. The Network / Telecommunications Administration functions focus on administering the City?s data and voice networks, including all infrastructure, hardware and software requirements in maintaining those networks. The Applications / Database / GIS Development functions focus on maintaining and developing various applications for user departments, enterprise-wide and departmental data warehouses, and incorporation of GIS layers into the City?s GIS system. These positions also provide business analyst functions in developing technology solutions for user departments, and may provide advanced level help desk support for personal computer systems and software.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, FEATURES, REQUIREMENTS:

This is a full-time, exempt position requiring training and experience in the areas of network / telecommunications administration and applications / database / GIS development, administering business activities, working with a coordinating activities with vendors and/or service providers, and providing assistance and support for computer equipment and services as required.  It requires flexible work scheduling including evening and weekend hours as required.  This position distinguishes itself from the Technology Analyst position by level of responsibility, advanced technical and system analysis skills, ability to work independently on multiple projects and disciplines.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED:

This position is supervised by the Information Technology Manager.  The position does not exercise direct supervision, but may be required to provide technical and functional oversight to lower level staff, interns, and vendors / consultants as needed.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below are illustrative only.  It is not meant to be a complete and exhaustive list of all of the duties and responsibilities of the classification. Network / Telecommunications Administration ? Receive, log and track all calls from users related to network and telecommunications (e.g., land line and wireless based telephones, high speed data lines) problems and questions; provide second level technical support to users by diagnosing and correcting problems? complete move/add/change (MAC) requests; set up and maintain user security access on LAN/WAN?s, minicomputer (AS/400) systems and telephone systems; perform backups on LAN/WAN servers, minicomputer systems and telephone systems; coordinate off-site storage and archiving for all backups; serve as primary liaison with telecommunications service providers to resolve problems and move/add/change (MAC) requests; set up and maintain network and telecommunications hardware and software; coordinate purchasing activities with department support staff; maintain city-wide inventory of network, telecommunications and computer hardware, software, books, manuals and other related documents;; generate reports as requested by city departments; participate in the development and implementation of the City?s information security policy and business resumption (disaster recovery) plans; provide second-level support in the implementation, documentation and training on the use and application of hardware and software; assist in the development of procedures and practices of the Information Technology division and City employee use of Information Technology equipment; assist in the evaluation and testing of network and desktop software and hardware products; research products and vendors. Application / Database / GIS Development ? Identifies departmental needs requirements for the all City's database systems and third-party databases; identifies the City's existing database structures and incorporates them into the City's GIS as required; facilitates department / interdepartmental project team meetings as required to identify, develop and maintain various information systems; inventories and catalogs various enterprise-wide and department-specific database repositories and structures; develops and maintains an enterprise-wide database warehouse to provide decision support systems to Executive and Departmental Management, from back-end database structure, to front-end application development; identifies hardware and software requirements to meet enterprise and department information system needs; assists user departments in identifying off-the-shelf or custom-developed applications; collaborates with other Information Technology Division staff to provide help-desk support, network support, and participation in developing strategic goals for the City's Information Technology Plan, as required; assists in development of City's Intranet or Internet sites requiring database-related information; other special assignments as provided by the Information Technology Manager.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES:

Attends meetings and conferences; attends and presents technical information at City Council and other meetings, including Council advisory committees on Information Technology issues; leads and participates in employee task forces and committees related to information technology.

JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:  operations, policies, procedures and functions of the City; principles and practices of network and telecommunications  support services; computer hardware and software applications and associated security and backup procedures; modern office methods; computer applications in word processing, spreadsheet, database programs and printer operations; technical knowledge and skills in the areas of GIS-related technologies, including development and maintenance of such systems; principles of personnel management, training and records maintenance; a working knowledge of database systems, including SQL-based database engines such as Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, Oracle, and similar database servers; working knowledge of Windows operating systems (Windows NT Server, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 95/98);

Skill in:  project management skills, including the ability to balance competing projects concurrently; asking questions and getting information in order to diagnose telephone and computer problems;  performing system changes by request; setting up records and tracking methods; operate, install, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot a variety of highly technical computers local and wide area networks equipment and peripherals; database development and management; systems analysis and information system concepts, techniques, and operating principles; program specification, design, testing and prototyping; development of department- or enterprise-wide database warehouses.

Ability to:  establish effective working relationships with all levels of the organization; understand and carry out oral and written directions; discern what level of support is needed when a problem is presented; perform research and prepare statistical information; operate a wide variety of telephone and computer hardware and software; ascertain facts through testing and observation, analyze methods and procedures, and test system segments to determine requirement adequacy; assist City departments in identifying technology needs and solutions; develop and recommend cost effective technical system improvements.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way would be:

Education:  Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited four year university or college with major course work in information systems, computer science, business administration or a closely related field.

Experience:  Dependent upon operational needs, experience requirements include:  Two to five years of highly responsible and verifiable experience in a data processing environment equivalent to a microcomputer specialist performing configuration, implementation, administration and support of LANs; and/or, two to five years of progressively responsible experience in developing and maintaining database systems and department wide applications, with a commensurate level of experience in database design and management and application development. Experience with Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or higher, Windows NT Server 4.0 or higher, IBM AS/400, and telephone and voice mail systems is highly desirable; experience with AutoCAD, Allaire's ColdFusion, ASP, and/or JAVA development tools is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; physical strength and agility to safely lift, manipulate, install and troubleshoot computer equipment; ability to hear, understand and retain complex information and instructions; ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 50 lbs.; exposure to confining work space and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations; availability for shift work, 24-hour on-call, and stand-by.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATION:

Licenses:  Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Certificates:  Certification in computer science, application development, database management, or telecommunications specialty programs may be considered in meeting the education and training guidelines.

SALARY:  $7,082 - $8,609 per month