County of Nevada, CA
June, 2012
SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS) ANALYST
DEFINITION
Under limited supervision, performs advanced, professional analysis and management of
traditional information systems and projects or geographic information systems and projects for
business processes; may supervise, lead and support Analysts and contractors; designs, codes,
tests, implements and maintains the most complex data processing programs; works closely
with users and others in the analysis, development, implementation and use of applications;
prepares and maintains program documentation and training materials; analyzes, creates and
organizes information and applications for enterprise and public electronic distribution and
performs related work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Senior IS Analyst is the advanced journey level classification and incumbents work on the most
difficult programming/analysis assignments involving both traditional information systems and
GIS applications. Senior IS Analyst may be assigned supervision over lower level staff or may
act as a lead on the most difficult assignments. Incumbents typically have major responsibility
for one or several major business applications, or for an entire application platform in IGS, or
may work directly for departments at the advanced-journey level on large-scale platforms.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Essential:
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Serves as the primary contact and resource expert on assigned application or group of
applications
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Conducts feasibility studies, working with users to define requirements and researching
existing methods and applications
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Analyzes and designs solutions for clients
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Installs, adapts and integrates new software packages into existing systems
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Prepares test strategies for system and program quality assurance
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Creates, maintains and modifies user and system procedures and technical
documentation
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Responds to user inquiries, assists users in software research and selection, and
provides technical training (including developing materials and curricula) in the correct
use of applications
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Enforces quality control procedures and supports users in assuring data integrity
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Coordinates with other team members (database administrator, IS and GIS analysts,
network administrator, users) to solve problems and support and coordinate
implementation of client computer systems
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Researches and resolves production problems using debugging tools
Creates and monitors project schedules and work requests utilizing project management
best practices, including coordinating and communicating with customer department
management and staff and IGS team members
Senior IS Analyst - Page 2
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Performs the most complex traditional IS and/or GIS technical projects and assignments
requiring specialized professional and technical competence including but not limited to
application development and/or server/database administration.
Conducts complex spatial analysis using a variety of modules and GIS software; utilizes
multiple databases and GIS software to perform spatial analysis for the most complex
projects
Researches and prepares technical and administrative reports; prepares written
correspondence; reviews reports; researches written documentation to resolve problems
May supervise the work of lower level staff and/or lead project or team staff members
May assist in strategic planning and development of business cases
May have interactions with users and stakeholders outside the organization; may be
responsible for coordination and integration with regional efforts
May assist with the development, review and expenditures of the budget by providing
data and/or justification
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QUALIFICATIONS
NOTE: The required level and scope of the following knowledge and skills relate to areas of
assigned specialty
Knowledge of:
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Principles and practices of leadership, mentoring, and supervision, team dynamics and
team building
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Principles and practices of project management, ITIL, Enterprise Architecture, and other
management methodologies
Design and operation of a variety of public sector business applications and software
Basic principles and practices of business management and accounting
Principles and techniques of various programming and scripting languages
Principles and applications of client/server architecture; current knowledge of Internet
integration
Testing, debugging and monitoring systems
Systems and procedures for creating and modifying program and user documentation
Structured analysis and programming
Creating business cases
Principles and practices of good visual design.
Strong knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, cartography, and engineering
drafting
Skill in:
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Coordinating and reviewing the work of others
Providing a high level of customer service
Creating, modifying, testing and implementing complex application program code
Testing, troubleshooting and debugging programs
Preparing and maintaining effective documentation
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the
course of work
Communicating effectively both orally, graphically and in writing
Senior IS Analyst - Page 3
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Demonstrating proficiency in the use of a variety of common applications software such
as popular word processing, spreadsheet, internet and database products
Analyzing existing methods of processing data and presenting alternative methods or
systems to increase efficiency
Working closely with users to specify system requirements
Analyzing, designing and implementing various business functions
Assisting and training users
Identifying and solving problems within areas of expertise
Testing systems and programs
Performing complex analytical and tabular spatial queries; integrating complex, disparate
spatial and tabular databases.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in computer
science, information technology, business administration, geographic information
systems, geography, or a closely related field with an emphasis on information systems
and three years of experience working at a level comparable to a Nevada County
Information Systems Analyst II or Geographic Systems Analyst II. Additional experience
may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis for up to two years.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
Mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office setting and use standard office
equipment and computers; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a
computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.
Must be willing and able to work occasional evenings, weekends and/or holidays during
testing and implementation cycles.
Incumbent may occasionally drive to external locations and be subjected to hot or cold
temperatures, inclement weather and driving hazards.
Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified
individuals who require and request such accommodations.
Other Requirements:
Must submit to and successfully pass a criminal background investigation.
This class description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not allinclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may
be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document
and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
FLSA: E