SR Application Analyst

Southern Company•Atlanta, GA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Description ASCEND Program Information: Southern Company is committed to building the future of energy for the customers who depend on us, the communities we serve and the industry we lead. The ASCEND program will transform how we do business, helping us elevate the customer experience, adapt to industry changes, and implement technology that offers new capabilities with more agility. It will involve implementing multiple applications, including the replacement of our meter data management (MDM) and customer service systems (CSS) with a new, Oracle customer information system (CIS) called customer to meter (C2M). Additionally, it includes implementing an advanced analytics platform, customer experience (CX) and commercial engagement platform (CEP). The new platform, to be rolled out to Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power, will be implemented in phases. Currently, we are building an ASCEND organization dedicated to helping the electric operating companies realize the vision for a modernized, efficient, digital customer experience to deeply engage with our customers and provide a more personalized experience. ASCEND will be one of the most comprehensive Customer Service and Marketing transformation initiatives in our company’s history. Click here for more information about the CIS/MDM program and to view FAQs. The successful candidate will remain an employee of the operating company while reporting to the CIS/MDM Program Team and may report to a SCS or operating company leader for delivery. Positions within the CIS Program will be filled based on the job requirements and the business needs and overall project scope. Candidates should answer all applicable questions thoroughly as this information will be used to select the successful candidates. While these roles are expected to be hybrid work, approximately 25% travel is anticipated and for this reason, it is preferred that resources are located within the electric service territory. The successful candidate will remain an employee of the operating company while reporting to the CIS/MDM Project Team and may report to a Southern Company Services or operating company leader for delivery. Job Description – CIS MDM Project Technology SR Application Analyst This position is responsible for partnering with Southern Company's Power Delivery, Customer Service and Metering Services business units and the Technology Organization for the development and support of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Metering applications and infrastructure. The incumbent assumes responsibility for ensuring timely, reliable, quality solutions and support for the Metering and AMI business customers. The scope of work includes: providing functional and technical subject matter expertise for Metering and AMI applications; problem analysis and resolution (production support), root cause analysis, implementing vendor solutions; providing input to application life cycle management; providing oversight for the design, development, testing, and implementation of application solutions; staying abreast of emerging computer technologies; and staying abreast of the business processes emerging computer technologies.

Requirements

Ability to establish and maintain quality relationships with peers and management, vendors, and internal customer groups
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills required
Must be able to manage production support and project related activities simultaneously
Ability to work effectively with limited direct supervision
Excellent customer service skills
Risk assessment/mitigation skills
Strong communications and interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively within a team environment
Technical writing skills
Ability to gather and document business and functional requirements
Ability to estimate project costs and timelines
Self-starter and demonstrate initiative
B.S., B.A., or B.B.A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Management Information Systems, Business, or another related field, is required
Demonstrated technical understanding of how application frameworks and other technologies can be leveraged to help meet business needs
Experience with Java/J2EE, C#/.Net
Good understanding of REST/SOAP Web Services
Experience with Oracle databases, SQL, PL/SQL, and query performance tuning for large datasets
Knowledge of business functions and operations performed within organizations of the Southern Company supported by this team (Metering and AMI)
Understands and is knowledgeable of technology solutions that could impact business partners.
Proven analytical skills, problem solving skills and project management skills
Possess a solid understanding of technical environments and software methods
High degree of initiative and personal responsibility “ownership” for assignments
Takes personal ownership of career development
Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the company culture – Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance.
Ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize workload
Must have a strong desire to be a student of the business
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work with a team, build superior relationships, and collaborate across TO organizations

Nice To Haves

Experience with supporting Linux based systems, creating, and updating shell scripts preferred
Familiarity with Windows Azure and/or Amazon Web Services
Experience supporting vendor applications highly preferred
Power Delivery/Customer service experience either directly or in a support role desired
Occasional travel within the Southern Company footprint is required

Responsibilities

Single point of customer contact for assigned Metering/AMI applications
Subject matter expert for applications – business process, data/workflow, and reports
Owns result/solution end-to-end
Impact analysis (functional, application risk assessment)
Manage production deployments, production verification testing and user implementation support
User acceptance coordination with customer / bug tracking
Troubleshooting and resolving application quality issues
Application life cycle management
Release planning / management
Compliance and change management controls adherence
Application vendor interface and support
Disaster recovery plans/testing