JOB DESCRIPTION Muscogee County School District Salary Grade 23 APPLICATION SUPPORT SPECIALIST III Purpose Statement The job of Application Support Specialist III was established for the purpose/s of supporting customer use of enterprise software applications that allow the district to maintain its business and student records; supervising project teams for new software, including definition of requirements, facilitation of user and project team communication, and monitoring the project life cycle; providing guidance and expertise to programmers and analysts; performing long-range systems analysis and proposals for upgrades and system changes. This job reports to Director of Application Services Essential Functions • Analyzes and defines user problems in the district and coordinates with users to identify problems for the purpose of creating reliable technology solutions that increase employee productivity. • Assists the database administrator for the purpose of maintaining database operation at peak performance, to protect district information, and to maintain integrity of data. • Attends a variety of meetings for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions. • Coordinates projects with related programs and projects and coordinates user definition of requirements between user departments for the purpose of ensuring required integration and achievement of objectives. • Creates curriculum and conducts training classes for the purpose of increasing employee competencies with enterprise applications. • Creates queries and reports for the purpose of providing timely and accurate information to customers. • Ensures that all state and federal reporting expectations are satisfied for the purpose of ensuring district compliance with mandatory government requirements. • Facilitates project communications with management, developers, and users for the purpose of having a common understanding of project results. • Leads in the development and documentation of software functionality for the purpose of ensuring ease of product use and delivering uniform and consistent packages to users. • Learns a variety of new software and enhancements and maintains current knowledge of trends, developments, and products in the software field for the purpose of providing technical support to users, developing district applications, and informing department staff and management of trends to assist in decision-making on hardware and software purchases and software development. • Maintains enterprise software by ensuring patches are applied in a coordinated and timely manner for the purpose of creating reliable technology solutions that increase employee productivity. • Manages software requirement definitions for the purpose of complying with district, state, and federal policy and conforming to established department software standards; incorporating requirements into project solution, while promoting realistic user expectations. • Organizes and manages project requirements, scope, schedule, and budget; coordinates impact of state or federal requirements and shifts in district priority or resources; negotiates project priorities, information requirements, schedules, and personnel with management and associates; resolves problems, adjusts priorities, and schedules as necessary for the purpose of ensuring successful project implementations. • Participates in long range planning, technology research, and future systems planning analysis for the purpose of system environment changes. Job Description: Application Support Specialist III Printed: 5/16/2012 Page 1 • Provides a variety of guidance, direction, and training to less-experienced staff as needed, including providing technical advice to non-technical staff at a level consistent with user’s expertise for the purpose of providing support to other staff and to ensure completion of projects within established guidelines. • Researches, analyzes, develops, engineers, tests, implements, and maintains computer software solutions for the purpose of tracking and utilizing student and business data, troubleshooting problems and errors in software and improving data processing efficiency, effectiveness, and user satisfaction. • Serves as a member of the Division of Technology Services and Department of Applications Services of the district for the purpose of performing related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position as assigned. • Supervises contractors to meet project requirements, schedules, and costs; delegates assignments and goals; provides a variety of advice and counsel; assists in recruiting and selecting staff; promotes teamwork; facilitates problem resolution for the purpose of successful resource selection, allocation and achievement. Other Functions • Daily attendance and punctuality are required for the purpose of ensuring the goals of the work unit can be met. • Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient, effective functioning of the work unit. Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications Skills, Knowledge and Abilities SKILLS are required to perform single, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: considerable skills in application software support, modifying, installation, implementation, testing, and troubleshooting; considerable skill in researching and evaluating computer software; effective customer service skills; skill in personal computer operation and ability to learn and operate a variety of software programs; and skill in providing technical advice and instruction to non-technical staff. KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and understand multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: considerable knowledge of relational and flat file databases; knowledge of the principles and practices of project management; and knowledge of supervisory principles and practices. ABILITY is required to schedule activities; routinely gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a wide variety of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using a variety of processes. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of types of jobrelated equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate to significant. Specific abilitybased competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: conceptualize abstract ideas and translate into a database solution; work well with others; promote a team environment; prioritize and organize work; work well under pressure; calm and assist frustrated or upset individuals; make effective independent decision when situation requires; analyze complex situations and synthesize diverse information; maintain records and write reports; learn and operate a variety of software programs; facilitate meetings and make presentations. Responsibility Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of significant resources from other work units is sometimes required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the Organization’s services. Working Environment The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 90% sitting, 5% walking, and 5% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. Job Description: Application Support Specialist III Printed: 5/16/2012 Page 2 Experience Job related experience within specialized field is required. Education Bachelors degree in job related area. Equivalency Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience in computer science and four years of increasingly responsible experience in application support and database design wtih lead experience desirable; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work. Required Testing None Specified Continuing Educ. / Training Required criminal fingerprint background check every five years FLSA Status Exempt Job Description: Application Support Specialist III Certificates & Licenses Valid Driver’s License Clearances Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance Approval Date Salary Grade 6/29/2011 Printed: 5/16/2012 Page 3