POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Senior Systems Analyst
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5180
GRADE 36
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Coordinator of Management Information Systems
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Systems Analyst is responsible for managing custom and third-party software for administrative and academic departments of the university. This position works closely with Information Services staff, functional teams, and vendors to provide strategic and technical support and management of these applications. This position will independently perform a full range of responsibilities including analyzing diverse problems and determining solutions and understanding and applying industry best practices. This position may also serve as a technical lead for a project of moderate scope. This position provides a variety of IT services including technical analysis, configuration, implementation, and maintenance of the Ellucian Banner Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, other enterprise software systems, and Oracle databases. Assignments may include reviewing vendor upgrades/patches, investigating new vendor software or product issues, maintaining a change management process, production support, and technical documentation. Additionally, this position must maintain effective communication and project planning across technical and functional teams, including remote colleagues, that support the university’s business systems. This role requires an experienced professional to develop an in-depth understanding of our software portfolio, manage installations and upgrades, and troubleshoot technical issues. The Senior Systems Analyst assists the Coordinator of Management Information Systems in planning, personnel selection, and personnel training.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and the specified experience as outlined in the Job Family 3 Knowledge Equivalencies Chart, https://www.missouristate.edu/human/job-family-3-knowledge-equivalencies-chart.htm, is required. A bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field is preferred.
Experience: Three to five years of experience as a Systems Analyst with enterprise-level experience in project management of information technology projects or management and/or administration of complex business software suites. A minimum of three years of experience in the design of major business computer systems or implementation and/or management of major software systems is required. Experience with relational databases and SQL is required. Experience with or knowledge of accessible web and mobile development, and technology security issues is preferred. Experience in the design and programming of computer applications in a team-oriented environment is preferred. Work experience in higher education and/or Ellucian Banner software suite is preferred.
Skills: The ability to effectively manage multiple, complex information systems projects concurrently is required. Effective interpersonal, customer service, organizational, and team-building skills are required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and proficiency in writing technical specification documents are required. Ability to work autonomously with demonstrated ability to tackle complex problems, identify root causes, and plan remediation is required. Ability to work with an unknown system or process and learn it with documentation and/or minimal support from others is required. Mastery of one or more relevant technologies and/or techniques and ability to train and mentor others is required. The ability to maintain confidentiality of information processed, stored, or accessed by the systems is required. The ability to work effectively with a variety of constituencies possessing a wide range of technical knowledge is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: The twenty-four hour scope of University operations requires this position to be available evenings, nights, and weekends to respond to calls regarding questions or problems with the University’s computing systems.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Analyzes complex business problems to be solved and facilitates optimal solutions by working with vendors, business partners, and other information technology professionals.
2. Assists the campus community in prioritizing and scheduling projects by providing project management, including feasibility studies, resource allocation, and communication with upper administration.
3. Facilitates user departments obtaining new computer systems or modifications to existing systems by understanding the functions of the user department and analyzing current processing and procedures, advising them on appropriate alternatives in meeting their computing needs, and assisting them in the preparation of associated requests.
4. Provides automation of academic and administrative tasks by designing computer information systems which effectively perform those tasks.
5. Assists Systems Analysts in developing instructions for programmer/analysts by creating detailed design specifications including system narratives, file layouts, screen layouts, report layouts, and program narratives.
6. Effectively resolves complex problems by conducting a thorough analysis of problems and employing appropriate strategies for resolution.
7. Provides continuity of leadership, management, and support for the Management Information Systems group by assuming the duties and responsibilities of the Coordinator of Management Information Systems as needed and providing support for systems during the absence of the assigned Systems Analysts.
8. Assists in designing and implementing conversions, upgrades, installation, and configuration plans.
9. Promotes the uniformity of the unit’s work product by overseeing the creation and maintenance of internal documentation and standards and ensuring those standards are followed.
10. Assists the Coordinator of Management Information Systems with special projects by performing functions such as collecting relevant information, conducting appropriate research, writing reports, and providing analysis and evaluations in a variety of areas.
11. Assists in the development of a competent and effective staff by monitoring the productivity and skill level of the Management Information Systems staff, participating in performance reviews and goal setting, promoting the professional development of Systems Analysts and Programmer/Analysts, serving on search committees, and assuming a leadership role in the group’s internal training program.
12. Ensures the availability of computer resources by managing disaster prevention and recovery efforts.
13. Contributes to the development of policies and procedures by serving on appropriate committees and supporting the missions of the department and the University.
14. Performs quality control checks by reviewing the software and procedures used by Management Information Systems and providing feedback, guidance, or assistance as needed.
15. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
16. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Coordinator of Management Information Systems.
17. Contributes to the overall success of Computer Services by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Senior Systems Analyst is supervised by the Coordinator of Management Information Systems. The Senior Systems Analyst may supervise Management Information Systems staff.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED APRIL 2022
