Classification Title: Systems Analyst Project Lead
Department: Richland County Information Technology (RCIT) – Business Systems Division
Pay Grade: Grade 117
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Manager of Projects and Services
Supervisory Responsibility: Exercises project-level authority over assigned project teams.
Travel Requirements: Occasional local travel between County facilities and vendor sites.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
The purpose of this class is to lead and support small to mid-sized technology projects, perform business and systems analysis, and provide application support and reporting in service of County business operations. The class works under the general direction of an IT manager, leading projects and project tasks, performing analysis, requirements gathering, testing, providing application support and issue resolution, and producing reports. Work is performed using current project management methodologies (including Agile and traditional approaches), industry-standard analysis techniques, and County-approved technology platforms.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions:
Leads small to mid-sized technology projects under the guidance of an IT manager, including planning, scheduling, coordinating resources, tracking progress, managing risks and issues, and reporting status to stakeholders.
Applies appropriate project management methodologies (Agile, hybrid, or traditional) based on project scope, schedule, budget, and goals; produces and maintains project documentation including charters, schedules, status reports, and post-implementation reviews.
Coordinates implementation, acceptance testing, conversions, and integration of new systems with existing systems; collaborates with vendors, internal IT staff, and business users throughout the project lifecycle.
Performs business and systems analysis, including eliciting and documenting requirements, mapping current and future-state business processes, identifying gaps, and recommending technology solutions.
Plans and executes functional, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing; develops test plans, test cases, and acceptance criteria; documents results and tracks defects to resolution.
Provides application support to end users, including triaging incoming requests, troubleshooting and resolving issues, escalating to vendors or senior staff when needed, and following up to confirm resolution.
Monitors application performance, identifies recurring issues, and recommends improvements; participates in change management and supports planned maintenance, upgrades, and patches.
Designs, develops, and maintains reports, dashboards, and queries (approximately 10% of work time) using SQL Server Management Studio (or equivalent), reporting tools, and dashboard platforms; produces ad hoc data extracts to support business decisions.
Maintains technical and user-facing documentation, including system configurations, standard operating procedures, training materials, and knowledge base articles.
Helps plan, implement, and maintain system security, audit trails, and application security in coordination with the IT manager, cybersecurity staff, and vendors; safeguards confidential information.
Communicates clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders; facilitates project meetings, workshops, and demos; provides training and knowledge transfer to end users and IT staff.
Maintains current knowledge of relevant technology trends, including hardware, software, cybersecurity, cloud services, mobile platforms, data and analytics, and telecommunications, applying them to County business needs as appropriate.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in business or systems analysis, application support, or technology project coordination.
-or-
Any combination of education and experience that meets the requirements for performing the essential functions of this job.
Licenses/Certifications/Other:
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Certification in Agile methodology (such as Certified ScrumMaster, PMI-ACP, or equivalent), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), or comparable industry credential is preferred.
Three professional or educational references required at time of application.
Must successfully complete a background check.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS REQUIRED
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Data Involvement: Compiles, analyzes, and synthesizes information from multiple sources, including business requirements, system data, project metrics, and operational logs. Develops recommendations and produces reports, dashboards, and documentation that support data-driven decisions.
People Involvement: Works collaboratively with County staff, end users, IT colleagues, vendors, and management to deliver projects and resolve support issues. Communicates project status and technical concepts in plain language to non-technical audiences. Maintains professionalism in cross-functional settings and safeguards confidential information.
Involvement with Things: Operates standard office equipment, computer hardware, software applications, and mobile devices and specialized peripherals used in County business processes.
Reasoning Requirements: Applies logical and analytical thinking to define problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions. Interprets technical and business information from a variety of sources and applies it to project decisions and support issues.
Mathematical Requirements: Performs basic arithmetic and statistical calculations as needed to support project budgets, status metrics, performance reporting, and data analysis.
Language Requirements: Reads and interprets technical documentation, business requirements, and vendor materials. Composes clear written communications, including project documents, status reports, business requirements, technical specifications, knowledge base articles, and email correspondence. Speaks effectively in one-on-one and group settings.
Mental Requirements: Manages multiple concurrent priorities, including project work, analysis tasks, and support requests, while meeting deadlines. Maintains attention to detail across complex business and technical work and adjusts to changing demands and emerging issues.
Computer Requirements: Proficient in standard productivity tools (Microsoft 365 or equivalent), collaboration platforms, and ticketing/issue-tracking systems. Working knowledge of relational databases and SQL Server Management Studio (or equivalent) for queries and reporting. Familiarity with current technology trends across hardware, software, cybersecurity, cloud services, mobile platforms, data and analytics, and telecommunications. Ability to learn and effectively use line-of-business applications used by County departments.
Judgments and Decisions: Exercises judgment within established procedures and the guidance of the IT manager when planning project work, prioritizing support requests, and recommending solutions. Identifies risks and issues, escalates appropriately, and recognizes when to consult a manager, vendor, or subject matter expert. Errors in work product or judgment may affect data accuracy, system availability, or business operations.
Physical Requirements:
The work is classified as sedentary, which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:
Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working primarily with the fingers rather than the whole hand or arm, as in the operation of a keyboard, mouse, and other office and computer equipment. Requires repetitive movement of the fingers, hands, and wrists. Visual acuity sufficient to read screens and printed materials and to perform detailed work on a computer.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, in order to meet project deadlines or to support planned system maintenance, deployments, or after-hours business operations. Some incumbents may be asked to adjust their normal workweek as needed. This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee’s physical presence at the workplace, except where remote or hybrid work has been expressly authorized. Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment using computers and standard office equipment, with occasional travel to other County facilities and vendor sites.
EEO AND ADA MESSAGE
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.
Richland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
Richland County has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
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Employee Signature Date