Senior Systems Analyst

Utah Retirement Systems provides benefits for state and other Utah Public employees through the work of two divisions. The Retirement Office administers pension and retirement benefits.  PEHP Health & Benefits specializes in medical, dental, life, and other benefits.  We take pride in providing a peace of mind for thousands of Utah families.  We are committed to our public mission and maintaining a positive team environment.  We offer a competitive salary, and our benefits far exceed what most modern employers offer.

Summary:

Performs a variety of advanced level, systems/analyst and project manager functions related to the timely and reliable functioning of business and computer software systems for the use of others. Manages the implementation of major business and computer systems throughout the development life cycle. Develops and manages more complex long term projects, required to develop program and system design, and coding specifications. Functions as team leader and oversees project teams on a continuous basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Consistently writes, translates, and codes software programs and applications according to specifications and standards.
2. Takes the lead in planning, designing, and development of new applications and enhancements to existing applications.
3. Meets with stakeholders, decision makers, project sponsors, systems owners, and end users to define business requirements and system goals. Identifies and resolves business systems issues and develops project plans.
4. Ensures compatibility and interoperability of in-house computing systems.
5. Reviews and analyzes the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems and develops strategies for improving or further leveraging these systems.
6. Manages and coordinates activities of assigned projects. Including developing and monitoring work priorities, schedules, assignments and deployments.
7. Participates in code reviews and continual application improvement meetings. Demonstrates coding and design techniques in staff meetings.
8. Investigates and resolves complex issues.
9. Provides user and system documentation using techniques such as flow charts, diagrams, specifications, etc.
10. Provides user training.
11. Reviews team members work prior to release and ensures work and documentation meets established standards, completeness and timeliness.
12. Provides technical assistance and mentoring to team members.
13. Develops feasibility review for new ideas relevant to the assigned areas with full functional specification definitions, including cost/benefit and program operation impact assessments. Designs data base tables and determines field content needs, size and characteristics, etc.
14. Identifies system and file security needs and levels of confidentiality.
15. Runs and monitors software performance tests for the purposes of correcting errors, isolating problems, recommending improvements, and general debugging.
16. Maintains strict confidentiality.
17. Performs other related duties as required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor Degree in Computer Science, Information Science, or Software Engineering; and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working as a Systems Analyst; at least two (2) years of supervisory or project management experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Specific experience in systems design and programming preferred.

Experience with health insurance claim processing, case management, life insurance, and HSA/HRA/FSA applications are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

Required technical skills include the working knowledge and ability of:

• Programming languages, such as Pick Basic, Python database management systems such as UniVerse and Unidata Middleware tools such as U2 Web development environment (Rocket WDE).

Requires a thorough knowledge of:

• Project management.
• Information system development methodologies and applications.
• Systems analysis and design concepts both structured and object oriented.
• Batch, on-line, distributive, and manual systems.
• Programming processes and languages.
• Data-base management.
• Relational and hierarchical database design.
• Information system management concepts.
• Methods and standards for project control.
• Entity relationship modeling, data flow diagramming and computations and algorithms common to system analysis and design.
• User department objectives, processes, and management practices.
• Utilizes algorithms, flow charts and other analytical tools to determine appropriateness of goals. 

Must have the ability to:

• Communicate with, organize, and lead a project team.
• Draft technical reports, documents and agreements.
• Analyze a variety of IT issues and problems and make recommendations.
• Possess strong written, oral and interpersonal communications skills necessary to communicate effectively with non-technical staff and with members of interdisciplinary teams.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with professionals, vendors, department heads, coworkers and the public.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
• Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Understand and create technical documents.
• Understand business and legal documents, technical procedures and regulations.
• Write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Present information and respond to questions from groups of managers and/or directors and end users.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

Must have:

• Have a high degree of self-motivation and experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:

• Mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Applying concepts of fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical solutions.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

Work Environment

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Requires occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions.