Metro is hiring for a Business Systems Analyst in Parks and Nature

Metro’s Parks and Nature Department manages over 17,000 acres of voter-protected land across the greater Portland region, from expansive forests and sensitive wetlands to beloved nature parks.  Effective data management in the cloud helps us do this work on the ground and report on what we do in meaningful ways.  We’re looking for a Business Systems Analyst who can use their software project management experience to help us manage key business systems for the department.

In the Business Systems Analyst role you will manage both implementation of new business system software as well as support end-users who use these systems on a daily basis.  Your first project and primary role over the next 18 months will be to project manage the migration of the department’s web-based conservation project management system to a new platform.  This product is developed locally by Sitka Technology Group and is known in its generic form as TerraTrak, and at Metro, as Terramet.  You’ll work with the developer, end users and other stakeholders to ensure this project is completed efficiently, effectively and on time.

We expect you to identify areas for ongoing strategic improvement or optimization for existing key business systems (Terramet) and make recommendations to departmental management, as well as continue to support end-users with trainings and documentation.

As the department considers implementing other department-specific business software systems, you will also project manage the life cycle of these products – from Requests for Proposals, proposal evaluation, contract management, project management, go-live, change management, and ongoing monitoring and end-user support.

You’ll be the only Business Systems Analyst in the department, so we are looking for self-motivated candidates with strong customer service skills to match their technical expertise.  Someone with a positive attitude who is detailed oriented, process focused, and values continuous learning will thrive in this role.

At Metro, we hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.   The next Business Systems Analyst should share Metro’s commitment to shaping a better future for everyone in greater Portland.

Application requirements in order to be considered:
1) Electronic application, 2) answer to supplemental questions, 3) resume and 4) cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position

Essential Job Duties

• Serves as Parks and Nature’s project manager and liaison for the assigned business software system(s).  Oversees contracts with developers; reviews, interprets and monitors the contract and contractor performance.
• Gathers requirements from agency stakeholders, maps business processes, researches and understands system capabilities, identifies areas for strategic improvement or optimization, and makes recommendations to departmental management. Defines priorities.
• Develops project plans to track and coordinate efforts between Information Services staff, outside consultants, functional leads, system end-users, and management.
• Uses project management principles to meet business requirements and deadlines within budgetary constraints. Prioritizes requests to ensure operational needs are met with available resources.
• Documents “as-is” and “to-be” business processes, system configurations, and training materials. Creates understandable system requirements documentation to establish project deliverables and inform project plans.
• Creates and delivers training for end-users on system functionality and business processes.
• Serves as the department resource for software questions and troubleshooting; researches and assesses issues, escalates issues to contractor/developer as needed.
• Ensures performance of new functionality is as intended and that applications are functioning correctly.
• Fulfills Metro’s core values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

This position is  represented by AFSCME 3580 and is classified as Senior Management Analyst (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in systems analysis or project management;
• or any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job duties and responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience as a project manager for new software installation and go-live
Experience as a project manager for software or business systems for a public agency
Experience working with TerraTrak or TerrametAdditional Information

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Principles and methods of system analysis, process improvement techniques, project management and quality assurance principles
• General functions, capabilities, characteristics, and limitations of standard computer platforms and devices
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including communicating concepts and operational processes to diverse audiences of technical and non-technical personnel
• Write clear and concise documentation, including reports, process descriptions, business requirements, and training materials
• Ability to use independent judgment, problem analysis and decision making skills, and make recommendations
• Ability to think critically, problem solve, detect errors, and foresee potential issues
• Evaluate operations, policies, procedures and methods, identify alternative solutions, and make sound independent decisions within established guidelines
• Learn new software products and conduct research of new systems and functionality
• Research data, systems, user requirements, and analyze issues and problems from multiple perspectives
• Work collaboratively with team members, information systems staff, external consultants/developers and agency stakeholders to ensure project accountability
• Ability to apply a racial equity lens to creating and implementing policy and processes
• Familiarity in racial equity, history and current conditions affecting Indigenous and communities of color
• Knowledge of public policy development policies and practices
• Knowledge of contract administration policies and practices
• Ability to maintain accurate written and computerized records, reports and budgets
• Fulfill Metro’s core values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability
• Perform essential duties and responsibilities
• Perform (with or without a reasonable accommodation) the physical demands in the work environment and operate the tools and equipment