System Analyst

City of Tuscaloosa•Tuscaloosa, AL

About The Position

The System Analyst serves as the primary liaison between Information Technology and other city departments, users, and business technologists. The role helps ensure technology platforms and services meet stated needs and business objectives, working with departmental representatives and stakeholders to support software and hardware platforms critical to departments and the citizens they serve. The position manages application platforms throughout their lifecycle, including platform evaluation and implementation, upgrades and releases, integrations, security, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and user support. It translates business requirements into functional specifications, supports process improvements and change management, and participates in technology planning and budget-related operations. The analyst also maintains system documentation and training materials, supports user training, and helps ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local data security and privacy requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience in computer system administration, computer programming, database design or maintenance, technology training, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may also qualify.
Ability to obtain and maintain vendor-required certifications for application platforms where required.
Valid driver's license, which must be maintained.
Knowledge of or aptitude to learn software platforms and applications, including operating systems such as Windows or Linux and municipal-government applications.
Understanding of database design and administration, structured query language, and extensible markup language.
Functional knowledge of access-control structures, including user accounts, user groups, and permission models for Windows and Linux operating systems.
Excellent written communication skills sufficient to maintain system documentation, change-management materials, and end-user training materials.
Ability to present ideas and concepts to stakeholder groups and train users to improve their understanding and use of technology platforms.
Ability to troubleshoot software and hardware issues and work effectively with stakeholders, IT staff, and vendors.
Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships and provide customer service.
Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary-to-light work, including occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of objects weighing 5–10 pounds.
Ability to work for extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.
Ability to communicate orally and, for some tasks, perceive and discriminate colors or shades, sounds, odors, textures, and visual cues or signals.

Nice To Haves

Vocational or technical school diploma in Data Processing, Computer Sciences, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Manage and administer application platforms throughout their lifecycle, working with stakeholders and users to ensure functional requirements and expected outcomes are met.
Plan, analyze, test, and deploy patches, releases, and version upgrades while coordinating changes to minimize downtime and business interruptions.
Coordinate with executives, stakeholders, and organizational staff to identify, evaluate, procure, and implement application platforms.
Identify technology opportunities, evaluate vendors and service providers, and assist with vendor management and procurement.
Assist the Chief Information Officer and other IT staff with budget planning and other operational functions as requested.
Identify opportunities and strategies for integration between software applications and related databases.
Participate in short- and long-term strategic planning for technology platforms and services, including hardware and software resources.
Maintain data integrity and security across application platforms; define user roles and permissions; and evaluate system audit and event logs as required.
Develop an understanding of departmental functions and business needs and identify technology and process improvements.
Serve as a point of contact for departmental stakeholders, supporting technology requests and inquiries.
Translate business requirements into functional specifications; assist with process alignment or redesign; document technology needs; and manage changes to documents and specifications.
Liaise among stakeholders, users, vendors, and service providers, and perform root cause analysis to resolve issues when needed.
Work with IT staff, stakeholders, and external partners to meet applicable federal, state, and local data security and privacy requirements.
Troubleshoot software and hardware issues and coordinate with stakeholders, IT staff, and vendors to resolve them.
Build effective working relationships and provide customer service to support the delivery of technology services.
Represent assigned application platforms and advocate for stakeholder needs in identifying, implementing, and administering technology solutions.
Evaluate technology solutions with vendors and facilitate vendor interactions with stakeholders.
Maintain system documentation, change-management materials, and end-user training materials; present ideas and train stakeholder groups as needed.
Substitute for coworkers when necessary and perform other related duties as required.
Recommend policies and procedures that support quality departmental services and incorporate continuous quality improvement principles into daily activities.
Meet regular attendance requirements and maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, coworkers, managers, and citizens.