IT Business Analyst

Starting annual salary: $70,720 - $84,156

General Statement of Duties

The IT Business Analyst is tasked with translating customer processes into actionable IT projects within the scope of the Project Management Office (PMO). The Business Analyst works with the Project Manager to coordinate, organize, execute, and deliver approved IT projects to County Offices and Departments by partnering with IT and the business to develop test scenarios and test scripts with a focus on requirements.

Classification Summary

The Business Analyst creates detailed documentation of business requirements, process flows, use cases, user stories, and other project artifacts; develops and maintains business relationships with the County; analyzes user needs; and develops specifications for internal and third-party IT applications based on those needs. This position is expected to communicate effectively and professionally with management, vendors, and IT staff to identify opportunities for process improvement and create solutions to improve these deficiencies. The IT Business Analyst acts as the liaison between the business units and technology teams in project implementation. The work is performed under the general direction of the Project Manager, but considerable latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create or assist in the development of all project documents and deliverables;
• Translate business needs into application and operational requirements in the form of user stories, functional requirements, use case, or use case scenarios;
• Administration of project management software and maintain reporting for the purpose of project documentation, time tracking, and other uses directed by the Project Manager;
• Be an active participant in all phases of the project lifecycle and work with several parties to ensure that all business requirements are understood, documented, and met;
• Analyze the performance of IT solutions and suggest actions to correct deficiencies based on consultation with users and IT personnel;
• Gain an understanding of needed changes or modifications of existing programs;
• Identify business needs via industry-standard gathering techniques such as interviews, workshops, and analysis of existing documentation or procedures;
• Work with stakeholders to gather detailed business and/or project requirements, including initial scoping, issue statements, goals and objectives, cost estimates, and preliminary milestones for proposed IT projects;
• Assist the PMO with developing a deeper understanding of business needs through deliverables including, but not limited to: business requirements, process mappings, mock-ups, As-Is and To-Be process gap analyses, and flowcharts;
• Manage, report, and resolve issues encountered during the execution of a project, with the approval of the project team and management;
• Identify project risks and changes to project plans;
• Coordinate and track implementation with users and ensure sufficient user training takes place;
• Work with the Project Manager to develop, track, and report project milestones;
• Define test conditions, develop test plans, and conduct or assist testing according to the approved plan;
• Work cooperatively and constructively with fellow workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity;
• Perform all work assignments and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety policies;
• Other duties as assigned by the Project Manager;

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated working knowledge of:

• Written and verbal communication skills;
• Technical and formal Writing skills;
• Knowledge of Requirements gathering methods;
• User acceptance testing;
• Prioritize multiple tasks effectively;
• Knowledge of Project management concepts, techniques, tools, and processes;

Demonstrated ability to:

• Lead the development and maintenance of user manuals, guidelines
• Create project documentation that is accurate, professional, and easily understandable to both the project team and the public;
• Capture, Analyze, and document business and user requirements;
• Understand and carry out instructions in a courteous, professional, and effective manner;
• Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Collaborate with developers, programmers, and System Administrators in conceptualizing, development, and modification of software programs and applications;
• Coordinate and monitor software testing on new and existing programs for the purpose of correcting errors, isolating areas for improvement, and general debugging;
• Communicate in a team-oriented and collaborative environment;
• Institute a training plan and, when necessary, lead training for end-users to operate new or modified programs;
• Be flexible and remain open to new ideas and processes;

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Associate’s degree in a science related field; and
• Eight (8) years of IT experience and;
• Three (3) years of business analyst experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work;

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Excel, MS Office Applications;
• Knowledge of and experience with projects in an enterprise-level IT environment;
• Experience in data gathering and facilitation techniques;
• Strong knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the IT field;
• Familiar with change management practices;
• Current PMP or similar certification desired;

Special Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Driver’s License;
• Must successfully complete a background investigation through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC);
• Local travel may be required for the purpose of analysis, consulting, and training;

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively in person and by telephone;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions to prepare written technical reports and diagrams;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate and make adjustments to computers, tools, and equipment;
• Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, agility, and strength to work in an office environment and perform duties that may require bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and occasionally move or lift up to 50 pounds;