Job Description

Overview:
The Information Systems Analyst (ISA) ensures departmental information systems serve staff and students effectively and efficiently. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Shared Services, the ISA is responsible for providing technical support and business analysis to successfully manage the Campus Housing information systems to support business operations. This includes gathering business requirements, modifications and enhancements including design, development and user acceptance testing.
The ISA is expected to be proactive, providing timely and accurate data infrastructure assessment including the development of internal and external reports on a wide range of activities and issues in line with institutional and departmental mission, vision, values, and objectives. In cooperation with managers, coordinators and front-line roles, this operations-oriented role provides critical contributions toward customization and maintenance of information systems that staff rely on to deliver quality services to students and other stakeholders.


This position is contingent on funding. Responsibilities:
Analysis for Campus Housing systems and applications

• Optimizes the application of departmental technology and business systems in alignment with the department\xe2\x80\x99s mission, vision and values
• Researches, elicits, analyzes, validates, specifies, verifies, and manages the requirements of stakeholders to provide technology solutions to address business problems
• Develops in-depth systems expertise to support all functional teams. Applies process knowledge to ensure expected business systems are effective and reliable
• Assesses existing system capabilities, long-term viability and systems requirements to support departmental objectives, business needs and growth
• Liaises with stakeholders to clarify and understand requests for technical solutions. In collaboration with internal and external resources, ensures appropriate long-term support is in place (security, business continuity, scalability, support for upgrades)
• In cooperation with various stakeholders, oversees the life cycle of changes to internal business and information systems, and manages changes through documentation and ongoing staff training

Support for Campus Housing systems (outside of IST accountability)

• Proactively monitors hardware and software applications targeting zero outage and minimal impact during critical periods. (Example: Residence Services desk systems during arrival days, Campus Housing database or any system outside of IST accountability)
• Customizes the information systems, troubleshoots and resolves any issues, consults with vendors when appropriate
• Ensures documentation and regular maintenance schedules are in place and followed
• Maintains and troubleshoots secure computer environments
• In partnership with internal and external resources, understands when and how to execute infrastructure upgrades ensuring business continuity
• Provides leadership of technical upgrades and advanced troubleshooting of production issues
• Maintains general knowledge of technical projects across campus to identify opportunities for collaboration
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking practices, participating in professional societies, and regularly participating in user group events and activities offered by vendors
• Develops, communicates and provides training on departmental information systems policies and best practices to Campus Housing staff
• Provides mentorship to junior developers, in order to build capacity and cross-training
• Hires, trains, and oversees coop student(s) to support department information systems
• Accountable for daily triaging, operational support and soliciting additional resources when more advanced support is required

Technical Responsibilities

• Participates in every aspect of the development lifecycle including meeting with vendors and end users to gather requirements; prototypes, develops and tests new and existing functionality and supports the existing userbase
• Understands and communicates stakeholder\xe2\x80\x99s requirement to the vendors
• Customizes and enhances existing products to meet the needs of Campus Housing business units
• Designs, recommends and implements optional solutions and manages code documentation
• Troubleshoots and debugs software and responds to production issues
• Advocates for adequate system development practices
• Reviews all related document such as requirement details and functional design documents to determine est requirements.
• Develops, plans, designs, and writes comprehensive test cases to ensure application change requirements are met from a business perspective
• Designs and executes standard regression tests to ensure the product is not affected by changes
• Documents issues/defects from expected results and manages them to closure
• Acts as a change agent. Trains functional teams on systems changes, process improvements, and change management activities
• Ensures that process and information technology solutions delivered/supported are aligned with effective business practices and departmental objectives
• Represents the interests of stakeholders during business systems maintenance and development activities

Data accuracy and integrity \xe2\x80\x93 business-critical systems

• Liaises with all stakeholders to ensure that data and processes in the central student information system (SIS) and departmental systems meet quality standards and meet the needs of students
• Designs and develops reports for statistical data analysis for use by key stakeholders
• Maintains a broad and up-to-date awareness of the activities performed within the department to identify and address confirmed or potential data and process issues
• Regularly consults with the department to promote understanding of policies, practices and system behavior
• Represents the interests of the department when system behavior needs to be changed
• Represents the department in working groups and actively participates in cross-functional team projects when assigned

Qualifications:

• A post-secondary degree in science, technology, software engineering, math or the equivalent combination of education, technical certifications or training, and work experience in a similar technical service-oriented environment
• Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) is an asset
• At least 3 years of experience with a proven track record of achievement and success in information systems management, including design, development, and testing
• Demonstrated experience working in an Agile environment
• Demonstrated experience in software quality assurance methods, tools and standards
• Experience in analyzing large and complicated datasets using industry standards (e.g., sql, Power BI, Tableau, Excel)
• Firm grasp of industry standard software development methodologies, techniques and Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
• Knowledgeable of latest IT trends, emerging educational technologies including learning/content management systems, Student Information Systems, online collaboration software, various hardware formats and technologies in general
• Hands-on skills in writing complex SQL database queries
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Must be able to pay attention to details, while understanding big picture context
• Familiarity with data analysis, visualization and reporting tools (e.g., MS Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
• Must be a team player with superior work ethic, initiative, and the ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organization skills and time management. Good \'people skills\' for building relationships with colleagues at all levels

Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.


The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.


All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.


The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.