IS Data Specialist III (Departmental Promotional Only)

Full Job Description

San Mateo County Health’s Heath IT Division is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of IS Data Specialist III to join team.

Under general supervision, performs the most complex and varied technical tasks related to the design, configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and monitoring of the County's databases; serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert in specific area(s); performs database performance design and analysis and builds interfaces between enterprise databases and end-user query tools; performs analysis, troubleshoots database problems, and ensures data integrity; creates reports; provides recommendations, support, and training to other information services support staff and County users in areas of responsibility; and performs related work as required

This is the advanced journey-level class in the IS Data Specialist series.

Incumbents serve as subject matter experts in specific area(s), perform complex and varied technical support, provide analytical support for County-wide database applications, data-centric systems, data models, and frequently solve problems requiring analysis of unique issues or problems without precedent and/or structure.

Incumbents serve as technical lead for assigned projects.

Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area(s) of responsibility, working with a high degree of independent judgment, tact, and initiative.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collects statistics on monitored systems and analyzes trend usage; develops recommendations for system upgrades and changes; plans for and installs database products and upgrades; performs change control; verifies system resources as required; plans and executes backup and recovery.
• Designs, implements, and documents database back-up and recovery processes and procedures; develops scripts and workflows to support stand-by recover options.
• Ensures that modifications to operating systems are compatible with the overall design of the database system.
• Monitors, tunes, and optimize database and application performance.
• Performs improvement and maintenance of databases, including database changes and upgrades.
• Resolves database errors and failures, manages system access, audits activities and resource utilization, and generates database objects availability.
• Plans, coordinates, installs, designs, implements, tests, and maintains databases and applications including the County-wide Geographic Information System (GIS), Open Data, and Open Government; designs and maintains database infrastructure; integrates data and functionality with other specialized applications.
• Provides specialized and complex technical support and assistance to staff concerning assigned databases; serves as the primary contact for and resolves related issues, conflicts, and concerns; responds to inquiries and provides information concerning system operations, projects, malfunctions, equipment, upgrades, practices, procedures, and related software applications.
• Serves as technical lead for assigned projects, including developing project budget and allocating resources, gathering user and systems requirements, working with vendors, contractors, project managers, and other project staff, installing, configuring, testing, and providing general technical support, and developing technical and user documentation.
• Provides direction during major database incidents to ensure an expedient response and resolution; maintains communication with all stakeholders on database status; identifies underlying problems causing incidents and designs, proposes, and implements resolutions.
• Functions as a liaison between project managers, analysts, system specialists, communications specialists, and client systems specialists to ensure standards and protocols are maintained; assists in coordinating activities with other information services staff.
• Provides recommendations to managers and supervisors on the development of long- and short-term database system plans.
• Participates in the review and recommendation of contracts with outside vendors and consultants; administers, monitors, and evaluates contract scope of work; reviews design documents to ensure technical integrity.
• Researches and provides recommendations or with approval, purchases tools, supplies, and repair parts from a variety of sources.
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in technology related to County operations; researches, recommends, and evaluates vendor solutions and technologies; implements improvements; works with staff to maintain, revise, or improve operations and systems.
• Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; provides training to users and other technical staff and advises on best practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Various procedures/commands related to Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) design, analysis, and programming.
• Advanced data management theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
• Various software packages including word processing, spreadsheet, SQL database and database management, and reporting tools.
• Advanced principles and practices of designing, configuring, and implementing system backup solutions.
• Principles and practices used in the operations, maintenance, repair, and administration of assigned systems and equipment.
• Technology, hardware and software, and current applications related to GIS.
• Technology, hardware and software, current applications and methods related to Open Data and/or Open Government.
• ETL processes for data loads between disparate systems.
• Techniques and methods of database system evaluation, implementation, and documentation.
• Troubleshooting, configuration, and installation techniques.
• The organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities and to determine appropriate point of escalation.
• Applicable regulatory relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with vendors and County staff.

Skill/Ability to:

• Perform complex technical support functions for assigned responsibilities; troubleshoot problems and take appropriate action or escalate to appropriate staff as needed.
• Diagnose complex problems, perform remedial actions to correct problems, and/or recommend and determine solutions.
• Oversee and perform complex functions in the installation, implementation, testing, and maintenance of a variety of database systems and other components.
• Perform advanced analyses of informational requirements and needs, identify problems, provide technical advice and consultation, and ensure efficient computer system utilization.
• Analyze data and recommend logical solutions to problems.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Deal tactfully with the customers and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in management information systems, computer science, or a related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in database management specific to the specialty area assigned which includes logical and physical database administration; integration; business intelligence, analytics, and report scripting; and/or data quality and integrity.

Additional related experience may substitute for education requirement on a year-for-year basis, up to four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.
• Some positions may require possession of information technology industry recognized certifications.
• Some positions may require ability to pass security background check.

Additional Information

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go tohttps://jobs.smcgov.org/to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Final Filing Date: Friday, March 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Application Screening: Monday, March 23, 2026
Panel Interviews: Tuesday, April 7, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.


Talent Acquisition Analyst: Sarah Huynh (03062026) (IS Data Specialist III - V274)