SENIOR ANALYST/SYSTEMS

The Senior Analyst/Systems (SCADA) is a lead contributor in the Application Services area of the Information Services department and provides task guidance in the development and maintenance of application software packages and internally developed systems utilizing Company standards and practices.

The incumbent is responsible for supporting, installing, and maintaining the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) software applications, interfaces, and databases. The ideal candidate will: perform administration and programming functions related to the SCADA suite of applications; oversee installations, configuration, and testing of new or upgraded software to ensure uniformity, performance, reliability, and security; participate in design review of extensions, upgrades, and expansions of existing platforms and systems; monitor and evaluate the technical environment to measure system performance and effectiveness, resolve and correct performance deficiencies; develop and implement preventative maintenance plans to ensure network and systems reliability and availability is maintained and operated per service level agreements; and serve as a liaison with internal departments, vendors, contractors and consultants. This position will require exceptional troubleshooting skills and the ability to provide on call after hours’ support.

Minimum Qualifications

This position requires five to seven years of relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited university, or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job responsibilities.

Industry recognized certification(s) relevant to responsibilities are preferred.  Incumbents performing activities requiring government, regulatory or vendor certification must keep those certifications current.

The following qualifications are also required:

• Systems Testing and IT Implementation experience
• Project Management experience
• Utilities experience
• Excellent analytical skills and a sense of urgency
• Experience working with cross-functional teams
• Experience with process mapping
• Organized with the ability to work in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with and passion for implementing change and continual improvement
• Demonstrated fluency in business processes and process differentiation
• Ability to analyze and synthesize business requirements, including recognizing patterns and conceptualizing processes

Essential Job Responsibilities

Provide service to I/S customers

• Lead efforts in determining application functionality, security, recovery and integration requirements, and planned user interaction by working with support group, project management, and/or business area personnel; understand external and internal business context.  Analyze alternatives using client methodology (cost/benefit, risk, etc.); determine implementation schedules.
• Lead and perform research and evaluation of product and service alternatives for topics assigned (including I/S tools) using appropriate methodology and document recommendations; include vendor business and cost analysis as appropriate.
• Design the use of complex application software functions and options, and document interfaces and planned utilization of user access tools
• Design complex custom applications
• Assist other departments in determining impact of business requirements on production and recovery infrastructure
• Review or prepare application or infrastructure component specifications and development plan, and assure cost-effectiveness, compatibility with I/S architectures, and compliance with security/control and technology recovery practices, gaining approvals when appropriate
• Provide input to Service Level Objectives and to backup/restore and security/controls designs
• Lead or participate in problem diagnosis and resolution on a timely basis; participate in "post-mortem" reviews as assigned
• Lead or participate in the analysis, prioritization and development of change requests, upgrades and patches, and maintenance actions; assure appropriate coordination, communication and approval
• Provide on-call support
• Review or maintain assigned I/S records
• Participate in technology recovery and departmental emergency management planning, rehearsals and execution
• Plan, participate in or review the configuration, testing and implementation of complex application components (package or custom) needed to implement documented requirements (modules; parameters; inquiry and reporting; application security; integration; other)
• Plan and review appropriate levels of application or infrastructure testing, including preparation of test plans, scripts, data and expected results as appropriate
• Complete the turnover of tested application or infrastructure items and related documentation for production use
• Coordinate with project managers and other departments to develop, arrange for, or provide application training for end users and support groups
• Communicate and work effectively in project teams and work groups, and take lead roles as appropriate; communicate effectively with support groups and business areas, and with supplier and contractor technical personnel, keeping department and project team personnel informed on progress and problems.
• Coordinate with project managers or develop project work plans; provide a clear understanding of the work being assigned, including scope, schedule and deliverables.  Plan team and individual work to achieve those expectations; prepare expected documentation on a timely basis.
• Review documentation prepared by personnel as assigned, and monitor timely completion.
• Develop and deliver formal communications to I/S and business areas.

Develop and utilize I/S Policies and Practices

• Develop, maintain and ensure effective use of I/S policies, practices, methodology, standards and tools for applications, technical, operations, or security/control topics as assigned.
• Continually identify opportunities for improvement in departmental practices and procedures, and participate in developing and implementing them.

Develop I/S organization and skills – Lead or Perform

• Design, conduct and participate in the delivery of training for I/S personnel.
• Be a source of knowledge and expertise in one or more functional and/or technical topics; prepare briefings and research reports as appropriate.
• Gain appropriate knowledge of the business processes and organization in the areas being supported.

Control I/S activities and costs

• Participate in negotiating and renewing product and service contracts, and monitor performance against contract terms; maintain relationships with assigned suppliers.

Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.  Regular and predictable attendance is a condition of employment and is an essential function of the job.