Business Systems Analyst 3

Metropolitan Council•390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Metropolitan Council is the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. Its Community Development Division is responsible for regional long-range planning, technical assistance to local governments, regional parks and open space planning and funding, rent assistance, and Livable Communities Act grant programs. The Community Development research department develops, disseminates, and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data about demographic trends, development patterns, climate change, parks visitation, equity, and the regional economy. The Business Systems Analyst 3 provides advanced analytical, coordination, and technical support for the department’s data development and analysis functions. The role leads efforts to modernize and standardize data documentation, metadata management, data cataloging, and related data-management practices; identifies and implements improvements to data development and documentation processes; supports the department’s use of Databricks; and serves as a primary business liaison between the department and Information Services (IS). The analyst works with researchers, data scientists, data developers, subject-matter experts, management, and IS staff to develop sustainable standards and processes that improve the discoverability, usability, quality, transparency, and maintainability of departmental data assets. The position does not supervise staff, but provides functional leadership, coordination, guidance, and technical expertise across the department. The position is eligible for a hybrid remote and onsite telework arrangement. The candidate’s permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Work is performed in a standard office setting and requires travel between the priority work site and other sites.

Requirements

One of the following education and experience combinations in management analysis or related analytical experience: a master’s degree in computer science, data science, geographic information systems, data engineering, or a related field and 2 years of experience; a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and 4 years of experience; or an associate’s degree in one of these fields and 6 years of experience.
At least 1 year of experience performing configurations and modifications within the specific business application.
Advanced computer skills in word processing, complex spreadsheets, graphics presentations, and database management, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
Ability to clearly describe technical processes throughout the data lifecycle.
Knowledge of Microsoft Azure Databricks or comparable cloud-based data platforms.
Ability to administer, coordinate, or serve as a business owner for a shared data or analytical platform.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff with varying levels of technical knowledge.
Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
Ability to adapt during change and shifting priorities, demands, and timelines using analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Permanent residence in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing or implementing organizational data-documentation standards.
Experience managing projects involving database migration.
Experience with metadata-management or data-catalog systems.
Expert or proficient SQL skills.
Knowledge of R and/or Python.
Knowledge of geospatial analytics, including Spatial SQL and ESRI ArcGIS.
Experience working with Databricks or similar platforms.
Experience working with Twin Cities (Minneapolis–St. Paul) regional data.
Experience promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and maintain standards and processes for documenting departmental datasets, data products, and data-development activities.
Assess existing documentation practices and recommend a modern, consistent, and sustainable departmental documentation framework.
Develop and maintain documentation standards, templates, conventions, guidance, and minimum documentation requirements.
Collaborate with data developers, analysts, and subject-matter experts to document datasets and associated business and technical information.
Establish processes and responsibilities for maintaining metadata throughout the lifecycle of departmental datasets.
Coordinate maintenance and continued development of the department’s data catalog.
Analyze departmental data-development and data-management processes and coordinate improvements that increase consistency, efficiency, reproducibility, and maintainability.
Identify process-improvement opportunities by analyzing business processes, data workflows, documentation practices, and technology use.
Work with staff to document current-state and future-state processes using process maps, workflows, procedures, business rules, and other appropriate methods.
Facilitate collaborative development of departmental standards, procedures, naming conventions, and common practices.
Define and document roles and responsibilities for data ownership, stewardship, documentation, metadata maintenance, and data-quality activities.
Serve as a primary liaison between departmental business users and Information Services for technology matters affecting data development, data management, analysis, and departmental systems.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with IS staff, enterprise architects, application and platform administrators, and other technology partners.
Identify, gather, analyze, document, and communicate departmental business and system requirements.
Translate data-development and analytical needs into business and functional requirements for technical staff to evaluate.
Coordinate departmental technology requests, system enhancements, integrations, platform changes, and related initiatives.
Represent departmental business needs in meetings, working groups, governance activities, and technology projects.
Evaluate proposed technology changes for potential impacts on departmental data, workflows, applications, documentation, and analytical processes.