Description

Senior Applications Specialist

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 (Offer will be commensurate with experience)

The City of Ann Arbor offers a competitive wage and benefits package including medical, vision, dental, paid vacation, sick and holiday leave.

Role Summary
Delivers consulting and support services for third party software systems and custom in-house data exchange and integration services. Recommends business process improvements, systems analysis, system compatibility testing and software systems installations. Provides software support by maintaining, patching, upgrading and troubleshooting business applications. 

Serves as a lead technical and functional resource coordinating with multiple service areas, stakeholders, vendors, and Information Technology staff to support enterprise application strategy, continuous improvement initiatives, systems integration, and long-term operational sustainability.

The Senior Applications Specialist – Public Services assists Information Technology leadership in evaluating, planning, prioritizing, and implementing enterprise business application solutions that support citywide operational objectives, improve organizational efficiency, and align technology investments with long-term business needs.
Duties

Duties are performed under the general supervision of the Applications Delivery and Enterprise Business Intelligence Manager or designee and may include the following:

Essential Duties
Customer focused service delivery: 

Provides training, project management, and project-related support to internal staff.

Software Support and Data Analysis: 

• Application selection: Conduct product analysis, cost-benefit analysis and product selection processes for application systems and assist business units with business case developments. Reviews staff recommendations regarding product selection.
• Server Application Support: Ensures installations and upgrades for client- server based applications systems and n-tiered application systems are completed and documented. 
• Applications Troubleshooting: Resolves problems regarding client-server and n-tiered Applications. Supports peers with resolution of client-side production problems after problems have escalated through Help Desk. 
• Resolves problems that the Service Desk is unable to solve.
• Provides data analysis and creates reports and dashboards using SQL Server Management Studio, Power BI Report Builder, Apache Superset, Esri Dashboards, and Microsoft Visual Studio.
• Oversees and supports a diverse portfolio of enterprise applications, integrations, databases, and reporting solutions supporting Public Services.

Business Process Improvement: 

• Ability to understand the business objectives and technology as well as underlying data required for supporting business unit needs. 
• Defines and documents business processes, systems scope and objectives based on both user needs and a thorough understanding of business systems, industry requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Develops and enhances procedures to solve complex problems considering computer equipment capacity and limitations, operation time, and form of desired results.
• Includes analysis of business and user needs, documentation of requirements, and translation into proper system requirement specifications.
• Considers the business implications of the application of technology to the current and future business environment.
• Working with the business units to identify data elements and write business specifications that will be used to direct system changes for the applications.
• Design, implement and support enterprise application integration (EAI) processes including API-based and database-to-database integration.
• Participates in long-range application planning, enterprise architecture discussions, software lifecycle management, and technology roadmap development.

Related Work

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Applications Delivery Manager or Information Technology Director.
• Will be on-call on a rotating basis with other staff members.

Knowledge of: (position requirements at entry)

• Fundamental principles of Asset Management including experience in AMS/CMMS applications such as Cityworks or Trimble Unity Maintain.
• Strong knowledge of GIS principles and Esri technologies, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise. Experience with versioned geodatabase editing, ArcGIS Online and Portal administration, and use of Esri APIs for data management, analysis, and web GIS applications.
• Business process analysis, diagramming process flow and workflow using Microsoft Visio or similar product
• Structured Query Language (SQL) using Microsoft Query Analyzer and other SQL tools
• Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Analysis Services, Integration Services and Reporting Services 
• Current versions of ArcPro and other Esri tools, Microsoft Visual Studio, and Microsoft SharePoint.
• Programming using Python, Power Automate, PowerShell, C#, JavaScript, XML and Web Services.
• Knowledge of enterprise application administration principles, systems integration architecture, application lifecycle management, identity and access management concepts, and enterprise support methodologies.
• Experience supporting multiple enterprise business systems across diverse operational environments and coordinating solutions among cross-functional stakeholders.
  Skills and Ability to:(position requirements at entry)
•  Demonstrated ability to develop data exchange services using APIs and tools such as Power Automate, Python, and PowerShell, as well as web application interfaces using current versions of the Microsoft .NET Framework and other Microsoft technologies, including SQL Server Integration Services.
•  Ability to create and alter stored procedures, functions, view, triggers, and other database objects
•  Strong skills in managing complexity, identifying and setting priorities
•  Strong project management skills and comfort in ability to create and achieve success in highly matrix management environment.
•  Excellent oral and written communication skills
•  An analytical and broad business perspective on issues, but also the ability to delve into detail
•  Ability to set priorities and work in matrixed environment
•  Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
•  Ability to apply sound judgment 
•  Self motivated and ability to demonstrate self initiative
•  Resourceful and analytical in solving complex problems
•  Ability to meet deadlines in a timely and accurate manner
•  Ability to manage competing enterprise priorities across Public Services 
•  Ability to lead cross-functional projects involving enterprise applications, integrations, reporting systems, and business process improvements. 
•  Ability to evaluate and recommend enterprise technology solutions with consideration for scalability, maintainability, security, and organizational impact. 
•  Ability to mentor staff and provide technical leadership on enterprise application support practices and standards.
  Equipment
• Standard office equipment, PC, fax, copier, calculator, multi-line telephones, printers, scanners, cell phone, and miscellaneous office equipment.
  Education, Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or related field 
• Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software
• 5-7 years demonstrated experience in application programming and support or similar experience
• The City of Ann Arbor will consider an alternative combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

 Master’s degree in computer science, information technology or related field

Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry)

N/A
Physical Requirements 

Positions in this class typically require: walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing and repetitive motions. 

 Duties entail the ability to work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time, or extended periods of time troubleshooting over the telephone. Operating standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements. Move and lift objects up to 40 pounds such as mail, files, computer equipment and supplies.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. 

  The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.