People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Application Analyst

  • Title: Application Analyst
  • Class: Classified
  • Exempt Status: Non-exempt
  • Grade: 26

Nature and Scope of Work

The Applications Analyst has end-to-end responsibility for assessing user needs for enterprise applications, researching and recommending potential vendor solutions, developing applications when appropriate, integrating new applications into the existing PCC environment, and supporting applications once they are installed.  The Analyst will also work with other teams at PCC to develop communication and/or training material as part of rolling out new and upgraded applications.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is responsible for implementing and managing major segments of the individual application systems in the PCC enterprise portfolio.

Principal Accountabilities (includes all or some of the following)

  1. Leads project planning discussions and works with users and technical staff to determine appropriate steps for project completion.  Manages active projects including updating status, and ensuring issues and action items are addressed.
  2. Researches options for using and/or integrating third-party applications into the PCC environment.
  3. Designs and develops application system modules based on approved requirements and completes appropriate testing of all components.  Manages implementation and post-implementation production support.
  4. Works dates for production scheduling, investigates infrastructure performance, performs application and database performance tuning, performs system integration, data archiving, designs and implements appropriate security and access control, and performs system monitoring.
  5. Works closely with vendors and contractors to ensure third party applications and vendor packages operate as documented.  Identifies roles and responsibilities for support, maintenance, integration and extension of vendor or contractor developed applications.  May lead and/or participate in producing technical components of Request for Proposal (RFP) and Statement of Work (SOW) documents.
  6. Provides consultation to departments and divisions regarding application system functionality and advises on best course of action.  Performs feasibility studies for proposed solutions prior to product acquisition and development, and conducts pilot projects for system enhancements or new systems.
  7. Designs and executes test plans, conducts testing activities and facilitates smooth implementations for system changes.
  8. Develops standard and ad-hoc reports for user departments and ITS staff.  Plans and develops data extracts based on user reporting needs, and facilitates access to the data through standard reporting tools.  Supports and develops solutions for on-line forms and document imaging.
  9. Participates in vendor user groups and technology/higher education conferences as a means for developing best-practice recommendations.
  10. Serves as technical advisor and resource to application development teams.  Facilitates training sessions for other ITS staff, and develops procedural documentation for system support and user functionality.
  11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems or related discipline.  Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.  Three years of leadership experience in managing enterprise applications in a large information technology organization.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:
  • Contemporary multi-tier and web-based enterprise applications, infrastructure (e.g., servers, network equipment and connectivity);
  • Scripting and development languages commonly used for application integration, (e.g., Java, Perl, shell, PHP);
  • Databases, reporting, and production processing for enterprise application systems;
  • Project management best practices;
  • Application design principles.
Skills in:
  • Designing, developing, maintaining and updating application systems;
  • Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions;
  • Leading and managing projects;
  • Communicating technical information to a non-technical audience;
  • Providing customer service.
Ability to:
  • Serve as technical resource to ITS staff and user departments/divisions related to enterprise application systems;
  • Recognize, minimize and resolve production problems;
  • Train users and technical staff;
  • Develop reports and procedural documentation;
  • Communicate effectively through oral and written mediums.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office environment with all work done via computer input/output devices.  There may be interruptions and distractions, plus the need to shift attention to handle unexpected events (e.g., system outages). Minimal physical exertion required.  Ability to work non-standard schedules occasionally (e.g, during system upgrades), and to be available off-hours to handle emergency system issues that arise.

Reviewed: 12/2018

  • New: 4/7/2016
  • Replaces: 6/13