County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to analyze department business system needs, and produce, maintain and update software systems to meet those needs. Information Systems Analysts are responsible for gathering requirements, defining problems and recommending solutions, writing program and database design specifications, modifying existing systems and providing production support for users and their systems. Information Systems Analysts may also prepare instructional material for department staff, act as project manager on projects; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the fully functioning Systems Analyst classification in the Information Systems class series. Incumbents are competent to work independently in designing, developing, testing, implementing, and maintaining software systems and programs. Activities include analyzing information business requirements, recommending technology solutions, preparing automated system specifications, designing logic flow diagrams, screens, file structures, reports, forms and menus, performing quality assurance testing, and developing system documentation. Information Systems Analysts may supervise journey-level, technical or clerical staff.

Information Systems Analyst differs from the Information Systems Specialist – Technical Support Analyst series in that incumbents specialize in, and spend a majority of their time working on, business applications systems analysis, design, and coding, with emphasis on more complex design and development activities; whereas Information Systems Specialists and Technical Support Analysts perform more general system support activities, which may include less complex systems and programming duties requiring less than 50% of their time.

Information Systems Analyst is further distinguished from the next higher-level class of Information Systems Manager in that the latter is responsible for all of the data processing activities of a smaller department or for a major data processing section in a larger department.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Performs business systems analysis appropriate to the department's specific needs.

2. Consults with department representatives to discuss and define business application programming solutions. Defines the scope of system problems and the goals and needs of automated systems; determines methodology to solve application problems.

3. Prepares feasibility studies to improve a departments’ functions and/or procedures; identifies potential solutions and reports on the advisability of each, including feasibility, equipment requirements, personnel requirements, cost/ benefit effectiveness, time requirements, and makes a recommendation on which solution should be used.

4. Designs logical structure of application programs and develops program specifications.

5. Develops programs and applications for mini, networked and non-networked personal computer using microcomputer, database, or a web Internet languages.

6. Analyzes and redesigns existing systems (including redesigning data flow, file structure, program processes and report layouts) to address changes in systems requirements and equipment configurations.

7. Monitors and maintains production systems to assure success.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

The equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (120 semester units or 180 quarter units) with a major in MIS, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent.
AND
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in planning, developing and administering complex information technology systems and applications.

OR II
Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full time experience in planning, developing and administering multiple, complex information technology systems and applications.

Certification:

Professional Certification as a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer, Sun Certified Java Programmer, Sun Certified Java Developer or equivalent can be substituted for one year of experience.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Modern computer technology used to plan, develop and administer computers and network systems.
• Information technology concepts.
• Methodologies for analyzing systems, procedures and workflow.
• Office software applications.
• Functions and capabilities of database systems.
• World Wide Web technology.
• Principles of network infrastructure.
• Software programming languages such as Visual Studio.NET, Visual C++, C#, Visual Basic, ASP.NET, VB.NET, XML, XSL, ASP, JavaScript, CSS, DHTML, Java / J2EE, JSP, Struts, Oracle, SQL server, IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic, Jboss. Specific programming languages may be selectively required for individual positions as needed by the recruiting departments.

Ability to:

• Function as a system(s) administrator.
• Maintain and modify existing office software applications.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Make effective decisions.
• Plan and organize.
• Identify and correct problems with computers and related equipment.
• Analyze problems related to database design, system interactions and cross platform issues.
• Prepare and maintain documentation, records and logs.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Interface with users at all levels of the organization.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BS:dg Revised: 3/79
Revised: 8/85
TT:pb Revised: 12/86
BG:tc Revised 1/92
Formerly: doc # 0077h
BG:cla Revised: 10/10/97
BG:dhb Revised 1/14/98
co:updated 6/9/00
Newspecs 0419.doc
Rev. 11/2/00 – 2nd Rev. 1/22/01
CSC date: 4/11/01
RE: Revise 3/7/2005
CSC Date: 4/27/2005
JO:po Revised 4/5/06
CSC Date: 4/26/2006

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.