Senior Software Engineer (Extra-Help / Limited-Term)

Full Job Description

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Property Tax Team, you serve as an experienced member of an agile team to develop and support the Controller’s Property Tax System. The System is a web-based application that utilizes JAVA for the front-end and RPG for the back-end and utilizes DB2 databases. The System is used to calculate and distribute property taxes, process corrections to tax amounts owed, and issue refunds. The incumbent will work with users to understand and develop technical solutions that satisfy the business needs and comply with applicable California laws.

This position is responsible for providing critical support to the Controller's Property Tax System, including, but not limited to, programming, development, application support, enhancement of the System, and end-user training. This position serves as a technical advisor and liaison to vendors, contractors, and department staff on system applications, hardware, and/or software products, services, and issues. This position will assist with the ongoing maintenance, system updates/upgrades, and user support of the Controller’s Office property tax system. This position will also be involved in managerial functions such as developing and implementing short and long-range automation strategies, coordinating and leading system projects, and training.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
This position will receive general direction from the assigned higher-level managers.

The Ideal Candidate will be and have:

• Proficient in JAVA, DB2, JQuery, AJAX, HTML, XML, CSS, and AngularJS.

• 4+ years of experience in system development, implementation, and support

• 2+ years of experience with IBM iSeries.

• Proficient in the Websphere development environment.

• Knowledge of industry standards for system development, including version control and bug tracking.

• Knowledge of deployment tools.

• Experience using Help Desk and Ticketing Softwares (e.g., HelpSpot, JIRA).

• Experience with Java, JavaScript, JSP, CSS, HTML, DB2, SQL, WebSphere (WSAD/RAD), Windows, RDBMS, AJAX.

• Experience with Version Control Tools, Reporting Tools, Data Warehouses, and Web UI Design.

The Controller's Office is looking to modernize its existing application system. Experience in modern programming languages is highly desirable.

NOTE: This is a limited-term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan.

Requirements

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

• Work closely with management to determine areas of the property tax system that would benefit from automation and provide overall management of projects.

• Analyze and determine the feasibility of automating programs, develop new applications, and modify existing applications.

• Perform departmental planning for automated functions within the property tax system.

• Coordinate with the Controller’s property tax division manager and with the management of other departments in the development of integrated systems.

• Collaborate with other IT staff and/or vendors while working to ensure that mandated property tax tasks are met.

• Write procedures, memos, and instructional material as needed.

• Coordinate in-house user activities to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to projects.

• Maintain and update manuals.

• Research and resolve problem areas and discrepancies in computer programs.

• Develop procedures to ensure proper handling and transmission of data to other departments via interface files.

• Make recommendations regarding department workflow and operations to best take advantage of the benefits of new and modified automated systems.

• Perform a variety of complex analytical duties in the design, implementation, and maintenance of the Controller's Property Tax System.

• Confer with department staff to define application requirements and translate such business needs into technical solutions; prepare requirement specifications, designs, and other documentation of the system and/or subsystems.

• Analyze and identify opportunities to automate business processes using available resources and technologies.

• Monitor system statistics to advise management on current usage, status, and performance.

• Plan software enhancements and changes to meet the needs of system users.

• Prepare test environments and work with users on user acceptance testing.

• Participate in system installation and/or enhancement projects.

• Participate in departmental and countywide systems planning activities.

• Create, update, and/or maintain intra and/or internet web pages, websites, and surrounding layers of files/links; present consistent and readable visual images by promoting uniform fonts, formatting icons, images, layout techniques, and modularization.

• Administer County policies and procedures to ensure the security and integrity of all departmental databases.

• Use programming languages to retrieve and develop data and to maintain the integrity of database structures.

• Deploy applications to test in production environments.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college with major coursework information systems, or closely related field and four (4) years of responsible experience in a position that would provide knowledge of department-specific programs, processes, and/or operations, including at least three (3) years of experience in the planning, implementation, oversight, and/or utilization of automated information systems and applications used to support departmental activities and specific to the specialty area assigned which includes report design, writing, and generation; business analysis; technical writing; system administration; vendor relationship management; and/or departmental information security. Additional related experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis, up to four (4) years.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices used in adapting information systems to business needs and communicating those needs to information systems professionals and vendors.

• Various information technology platforms and operating systems.

• Advanced principles and practices used in the analysis and development of procedures and information systems associated with assigned operational and/or program area.

• Advanced principles of relational database management, systems integration, analysis, and programming.

• Advanced principles and practices of programmatic analysis and report preparation.

• Advanced information systems and data processing concepts.

• Principles and practices of contract and vendor relationship management.

• Department and County systems, policies, programs, and practices related to information systems.

• The organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities and to determine the appropriate point of escalation.

• Principles and practices of project management.

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.

• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.

• Record-keeping principles and procedures.

• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively working with users, vendors, external agencies, and County staff.

• Principles of supervision and staff development.

• Technical writing principles and techniques.

• Controller’s Office property tax operations.

Skill/Ability to:

• Develop/design functionality in the property tax system that adheres to applicable California laws.

• Analyze, evaluate, and develop systems and procedures for data processing applications.

• Conduct systems analysis and feasibility studies.

• Prepare and present technical reports and recommendations that streamline business processes that adhere to applicable California laws.

• Working with other County departments, such as the Assessor and Tax Collector’s Offices to ensure that the department's mandated requirements are known and met.

• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

• Establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with others.

• Provide advanced technical and analytical support to users of the department and County systems and applications.

• Communicate with department personnel to identify and translate complex information needs into system requirements.

• Communicate business information system needs to system vendors for the complex design, development, and/or enhancement of system applications.

• Conduct complex research projects on a wide variety of software and systems issues, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret procedures and data; develop sound conclusions, recommendations, and solutions.

• Research, develop, and recommend cost-effective technical system improvements.

• Develop and implement comprehensive computer operations-related projects and training programs.

• Lead focus groups or working sessions to establish new processes or technical design for improvement.

• Perform analyses of business and system requirements and needs; identify, evaluate, and solve systems problems; design and implement new or revised systems and procedures; provide technical advice and consultation, and ensure efficient computer system utilization.

• Working tactfully with the customers and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.

• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.

• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Work independently.

Additional Information

This is an extra-help, limited-term assignment. Anyone may apply.

Application Process: Applications will be reviewed by managers. Candidates who are successful in the application phase may be invited to participate in interviews.

Please send an email with your resume, cover letter, and responses to the Supplemental Questions to the analyst below.

IMPORTANT: You must submit the following to be considered for this opportunity:

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time.

Apply immediately.

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis, and selections may be made at any time within the process.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Continuous