Applications Specialist - Sheriff's Office

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Manager of Applied Technology, provides professional administration, leadership, and development of Enterprise and Business applications for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Researches, designs, documents, and modifies software to improve the functionality of both proprietary and purchased software applications. Analyzes the operating processes to identify opportunities to improve efficiency with new technologies, establishes and directs procedures and standards, and maintains the functionality and integrity of information processing and data communications operations. Tasks and priorities will be set by the Sheriff and communicated through the Director of Records Management.

Note: Employees in this classification must be able to pass an extensive background and security investigation.

This is a full-time, benefited position based out of the Fillmore Complex located at 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Identifies opportunities to employ technology to improve department and enterprise operations and performance.
2. Writes, codes, tests and analyzes software programs and applications according to specifications.
3. Collaborates with external vendors and developers to resolve problems in purchased software applications.
4. Develops, edits and maintains operating procedures and standards manuals to assist with training/onboarding for new staff on widely used systems (e.g., Tyler/Munis, LERMS)
5. Analyzes and assesses existing systems, software applications and technologies and develops recommendations for improvements to existing business processes and procedures.
6. Creates software applications and modifications to enhance the functionality and/or performance of proprietary and purchased applications in accordance with documented requirements and specifications.
7. Proactively and continually evaluates applications by designing, running, and monitoring software performance tests on new and existing programs to identify and correct errors, identify needed improvements and perform general debugging.
8. Serves as system/security administrator for assigned software applications.
9. Maintains knowledge of the vendor marketplace and technology developments in order to make recommendations to Sheriff's Office management regarding investments in new applications/tools.
10. Conducts meetings with all levels of management for purposes of presentations, reviews, approvals of recommendations, etc.
11. Develops and/or applies patches and fixes to software applications. Recommends, schedules and performs software improvements and upgrades.
12. Provides reports on progress against benchmarks for assigned program development and implementation projects.
13. Develops and maintains user manuals, guidelines, and application documentation. Trains end-users to operate new or modified programs.
14. Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in computer science, information systems, business administration or closely related field combined with two years of progressively responsible experience in the design, development, and support of information systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Specific experience with Microsoft SQL Server, database design and applications development. Strong experience in project management, database administration and web-based programming languages strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Michigan Driver's License.
• Project Management Certification desirable (CompTIA Project+, PMP).

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment governing the privacy, security, and integrity of law enforcement information systems, criminal justice records, digital evidence, and other confidential departmental data.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft 365 Suite, including SharePoint, Teams, Power Automate, Power BI and Copilot.
• Excellent understanding of a variety of higher-level programming languages and programming tools, algorithm design, and coding methods.
• Thorough working knowledge of relational database design and functions.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of software testing and debugging.
• Good working knowledge of the business practices and requirements of end-user departments.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to deconstruct end-user operating processes and procedures.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Manager of Applied Technology, provides professional administration, leadership, and development of Enterprise and Business applications for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Researches, designs, documents, and modifies software to improve the functionality of both proprietary and purchased software applications. Analyzes the operating processes to identify opportunities to improve efficiency with new technologies, establishes and directs procedures and standards, and maintains the functionality and integrity of information processing and data communications operations. Tasks and priorities will be set by the Sheriff and communicated through the Director of Records Management.

Note: Employees in this classification must be able to pass an extensive background and security investigation.

This is a full-time, benefited position based out of the Fillmore Complex located at 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Identifies opportunities to employ technology to improve department and enterprise operations and performance.
2. Writes, codes, tests and analyzes software programs and applications according to specifications.
3. Collaborates with external vendors and developers to resolve problems in purchased software applications.
4. Develops, edits and maintains operating procedures and standards manuals to assist with training/onboarding for new staff on widely used systems (e.g., Tyler/Munis, LERMS)
5. Analyzes and assesses existing systems, software applications and technologies and develops recommendations for improvements to existing business processes and procedures.
6. Creates software applications and modifications to enhance the functionality and/or performance of proprietary and purchased applications in accordance with documented requirements and specifications.
7. Proactively and continually evaluates applications by designing, running, and monitoring software performance tests on new and existing programs to identify and correct errors, identify needed improvements and perform general debugging.
8. Serves as system/security administrator for assigned software applications.
9. Maintains knowledge of the vendor marketplace and technology developments in order to make recommendations to Sheriff's Office management regarding investments in new applications/tools.
10. Conducts meetings with all levels of management for purposes of presentations, reviews, approvals of recommendations, etc.
11. Develops and/or applies patches and fixes to software applications. Recommends, schedules and performs software improvements and upgrades.
12. Provides reports on progress against benchmarks for assigned program development and implementation projects.
13. Develops and maintains user manuals, guidelines, and application documentation. Trains end-users to operate new or modified programs.
14. Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in computer science, information systems, business administration or closely related field combined with two years of progressively responsible experience in the design, development, and support of information systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Specific experience with Microsoft SQL Server, database design and applications development. Strong experience in project management, database administration and web-based programming languages strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Michigan Driver's License.
• Project Management Certification desirable (CompTIA Project+, PMP).

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough working knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment governing the privacy, security, and integrity of law enforcement information systems, criminal justice records, digital evidence, and other confidential departmental data.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft 365 Suite, including SharePoint, Teams, Power Automate, Power BI and Copilot.
• Excellent understanding of a variety of higher-level programming languages and programming tools, algorithm design, and coding methods.
• Thorough working knowledge of relational database design and functions.
• Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of software testing and debugging.
• Good working knowledge of the business practices and requirements of end-user departments.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to deconstruct end-user operating processes and procedures.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Unclassified Benefits Summary for more information.

The current Unclassified group manual can be viewed here.

The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.

**Part-time benefitted positions will receive prorated benefits.