Senior Applications Analyst at City of Northampton, MA – Northampton, Massachusetts

SENIOR APPLICATION ANALYST

• One (1) Full-time Vacancy
• 40 Hours per week: Monday through Friday
• Grade J; Hourly Rate Range: $35.82-$46.97 ($74,507-$97,702 Annual)
• Anticipated Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $35.82-$40.50 ($74,507-$84,252 Annual)

DEFINITION:

The Senior Applications Analyst is a critical member of the IT Team and is responsible for supporting all City departments, including the school system. This role involves primary and secondary support for various applications, platforms, and systems, encompassing configuration, reporting, interfaces, integrations, day-to-day operations, troubleshooting, maintenance, and upgrades.

The Senior Applications Analyst possesses strong skills in reporting, analytics, data transformation, conversion, and mapping, as well as expertise in developing and maintaining analytics systems. The role is proficient in standard database management systems (such as SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL) and scripting/query languages. The Senior Applications Analyst will be adept at collecting user requirements, translating them into efficient workflows or configurations, and designing, testing, troubleshooting, implementing, and documenting solutions. They also evaluate new platforms, stay updated on application features and releases, and provide technical guidance to IT leadership and the whole IT Team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Systems Support and Maintenance: Provides primary and secondary support for multiple applications and systems. Handles system configuration, reporting, interfaces, integrations, and daily operational issues. Manages break/fix scenarios, maintenance, and upgrades.

• Business Analysis and Programming: Performs advanced-level business analysis for elicitation, analysis, and validation of system requirements. Executes complex programming assignments as needed. Designs, develops, and implements commercial systems and interfaces.

Revises, improves, updates, and maintains existing systems.

• Project Management: Assists the CIO in planning, developing, and managing short-term and long-term projects as it relates to Northampton Public Schools, Public Works, Public Safety, and City Departments. Leads or participates in business process reengineering, upgrades, new technology, and system implementation projects. Coordinates closely with system owners, end-users, vendors, the public, and project teams. Manages project resources, timelines, changes, risks, and constraints.

• Training and Technical Support: Provides training and technical support to technical staff and end-users. Assesses and evaluates new platforms, keeping updated with new features and releases. Offers guidance and technical advice to IT leadership and the IT Team.

• Knowledge Management and Documentation: Creates and edits detailed documentation. Understands technical complexities involved in functional configuration, integration, interface, and report development. Communicates clearly and concisely with end-users.

• Security: Possesses and applies general knowledge of data security, security frameworks, and best practices for data handling, encryption, and privacy.

• Assists the CIO in determining future needs and areas for improvement; recommends solutions and assists with implementation.

• Assists and provides backup for IT Services staff as needed.

• Collaborates on maintaining and managing data systems following industry best practices.

• Manages work performed by Applications Administrator.

•Performs similar or related work as required, as the situation dictates, or as directed by CIO.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

· 8+ years of current experience as an Application Analyst, Software Engineer, or in a similar role supporting enterprise applications.

· Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.

· Experience with programming languages such as SQL, Python, Java, C#, and Visual Basic.

· Experience with DBMS and management/development tools.

· Experience with analytics tools and methodologies.

· Experience running IT projects.

· Experience supporting a large user base.

· Knowledge of standard IT practices, data privacy and protection, and cybersecurity.

Substitutions:

A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems, or a related field, an IT certification in an enterprise-level technology or skill or working knowledge of GIS, can each substitute for experience.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required to have acceptable MASS CORI background check report.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS:

Knowledge: Principles and practices of excellent customer service. ITSM systems, including Incident/Problem Management, Request Fulfilment, Knowledgebase, Asset Management, and IT Service Catalogs. Developments and trends in application and reporting solutions. Contemporary practices in Application and Business Analysis, Project Management, and SaaS or Cloud-based implementations. Database design and DBMS administration (SQL Server, Oracle, or similar). Object-oriented, web, and mobile application programming. Principles of data security and cybersecurity threats. Software Application Lifecycle Management, Requirements Management, Configuration Management, and software issue tracking. General networking knowledge. Office suite productivity tools. Cost-benefit analysis for effective solutions. Ability to learn to configure and support equipment to which he/she had no prior exposure. Demonstrated ability to manage several projects simultaneously, in a timely fashion. Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships, both written and oral, with co-workers, department heads, department staff, vendors, and others inside and outside the ITS department. Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently. Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and software quickly and independently without formal training; to meet deadlines and work independently; and to communicate well verbally and in writing. Strong organizational and customer service skills.

Abilities: Ability to prioritize IT support requests and to manage several projects simultaneously in a timely fashion; ability to work as part of a team as well as independently. Ability to learn new technologies, business systems, programming languages, reporting tools, databases, and other technologies and software quickly and independently, with or without formal training. Respond promptly to service requests and cybersecurity incidents. Provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively. Gather and document requirements, translating user needs into technical specifications. Plan, design, document, install, and support application systems and reports. Organize, prioritize, and follow up on work assignments to meet deadlines. Prepare clear and concise reports and technical documentation.

Skills: Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective written and verbal communications and working relationships with co-workers, department heads, department staff, vendors, and others inside and outside the IT Department; organizational skills.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS:

Physical Skills: Administrative work is performed in an office setting requiring sitting, standing, walking. When in the field, may require some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Occasionally, work may require lifting heavy objects and carrying them (up to 50 lbs.). There may be need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials.

Motor Skills: The work may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination.

Visual Skills: Essential position functions require the ability to view computer screens for extended periods of time. In addition, essential position functions require good close/distant, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

FRINGE BENEFITS:

Full Benefits and privileges consistent with other Non-Represented Employees.

This job posting closes on Friday, September 5th at 4:30 p.m.

~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~