Business Systems Analyst (ITP-B, BU)

Position Description

Job Responsibilities

As a Business Systems Analyst, you will be the Information Technology Advisor for the Buildings and Energy programs in the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE). This position will advise on technical investments to support the implementation of OSE’s policies and programs, like the Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) and Benchmarking laws. The position will work with the various program leads to recommend, develop, and implement IT solutions to transition from a custom SQL database to a web-based Software as a Service application. You will work with staff from OSE to translate complex policy requirements into recommended technical design features and workflows. You will support the project through scoping, development and testing cycles and lead the ongoing operations and maintenance of the new BEPS and Energy Benchmarking portal application.

As the Information Technology Advisor for the development and implementation of OSE’s IT solutions, you will work with the Seattle Information Technology Department (ITD) and guide vendors/consultant teams, to bridge the gap between project initiation, development, execution and go-live through future enhancements that are planned in 2027 and 2028. The position will develop internal process improvements and operational and administrative policies. The position is embedded in the Seattle IT Business Solutions Division and part of the Enterprise Permitting, Inspection and Compliance (EPIC) team. You will work collaboratively with the BEPS IT project manager to track and manage a three-phased IT project with a total budget of $5.3 million.

You will work with business staff to find opportunities for system improvements, assess work requests, investigate and document business requirements, determine configuration and design solutions, see changes through to a successful implementation, and solve issues in a production environment. This work is primarily associated with the BEPS Portal application.

You will be responsible for:

• Product Ownership: Lead OSE's technology investments, from overall systems planning to development, operational management, and data communications.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Act as the City's SME on technology, product and services strategy to support complex business practices related to BEPS and Energy Benchmarking.
• Continuous Improvement: Plan, implement, and scale a continuous improvement framework for the Buildings and Energy (B&E) program, focusing on technology solutions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify and drive technology strategy and investment needed to provide complex services to diverse stakeholders.
• Technology Portfolio Management: Recommend management strategies for the portfolio of products supporting OSE's climate policies, including integration or transition of systems to align with BEPS.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Strategically align stakeholders and teams around the development, purpose, delivery, and adaptation of technology products and services.
• Equity and Inclusion: Support equity and inclusion goals by recommending approaches for customer accessibility and removing barriers to compliance success.

What you’ll be doing:

• Partnering with internal teams and the external vendor (Touchstone IQ) to deliver the BEPS technical solution in line with project milestones.
• Listening carefully and asking clarifying questions about business requests, translating those into business process requirements, and system design.
• Analyzing system issues to identify the root cause, proposing comprehensive solutions consistent with program-level system design standards, and assisting with implementation of change.
• Work towards adapting BEPS SaaS solution to meet changing legislative needs over time.
• Quickly learning a system’s capabilities and configuration options and devising creative solutions for business needs within that framework.
• Crafting and updating software specifications; ensuring that system documentation libraries are kept up to date and well organized.
• Configuring software using standard software configuration tools.
• Supporting the creation of test materials, and assisting the test team in resolving problems, working with software vendors when appropriate.
• Identifying, documenting, and resolving issues, raising concerns as appropriate.
• Supporting QA and UAT processes by documenting and tracking system defects, ensuring resolution before go-live.
• Collaborating to support data cleansing, conversion, and validation activities. Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of migrated data, identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Following established project or departmental review and approval processes and standards for all work.
• Supporting department goals in promoting diversity, race, and social justice.
• This position requires occasional non-standard working hours when deploying updates.
• Performing varied tasks as assigned commensurate with classified position level.
• Supporting system performance testing to validate scalability and reliability.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for the required qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Five years in-depth experience as a business systems analyst, or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.
• Analytical approach and inquiry skills to help business think of the bigger picture while meeting current needs
• Familiarity with Software Development Life Cycle methodologies and templates.
• Active problem solver, process improver and technology translator.
• Good communication and active listening skills; able to connect with both technical and business staff.
• Advanced knowledge of database structures and tools (such as SQL, Oracle, MS Access, etc.), including the ability to design and implement queries.
• Ability to manage scope as it pertains to areas of responsibility and keep the project manager and supervisor informed of changes and impact to assigned projects.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining appropriate communications with supervisor about progress and issues.
• Ability to manage time well to meet project milestones.
• Ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer technology or equivalent field or experience.
• Experience working with vendors providing support for Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) applications.
• Experience implementing off-the-shelf business applications, including gap-fit analyses, capabilities assessments, design, configuration, and testing.
• Experience leading small IT projects with staff resources from a variety of IT specialties.
• Experience working with Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors.
• Familiarity with SaaS products and vendor communication.
• Ability to see beyond the assumed issue to identify and find solutions for underlying business goals.
• Ability to navigate Seattle IT stage gates, deliver required documentation and sync with a twenty plus project team.

Additional Information

Salary: The full salary range for this position is $52.63 - $79.00. The targeted salary range for this individual role has been identified as $70.00 - $73.46 per hour based on experience.

Why work at the City of Seattle?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our views and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Application & Selection Process

• A complete online application updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary) with all job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
• Completed supplemental questions.
• A cover letter (no longer than two (2) pages).

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.