Application Support Specialist II

Under direction, is responsible for managing the resolution of software application and system issues that arise across the organization and for the configuration, and maintenance of large scale applications and documentation.

Typical Duties

Identifying and resolving software application technical issues. Involves: Perform application maintenance and upgrades. Utilize Software Development Life Cycle concepts to analyze and enhance applications. Analyze and recommend new or revised software and procedures, including justifications for proposed changes. Study existing systems and procedures of organizations to determine feasibility of conversion to data processing or network application methods. Provide technical support to end users. Determine information needs in coordination with personnel of user departments by drawing detailed flowcharts and block diagrams or applying other related methods. Assist in the evaluation of proposed information processing or systems and operations. Analyze program specifications for completeness and conformance to established standards. Maintain and develop business unit reports using report writing solutions. Assist with systems integrations. Recommend technical solutions and improvements to automated systems and business processes. Ensure that project products meet departmental standards. Manage and document assignments using the Information Technology (IT) Department ticketing system. Actively manage customer satisfaction and provide timely updates on project and task progress.

Maintain complex automated systems and software applications. Involves: Preparing complete and precise user instructions and system documentation for implemented systems in accordance with established standards. Report program activity and project status to management. Analyze software packages and modify them to meet users’ needs. Provide technical assistance to operations and programming personnel by analyzing information work procedures and job methods to solve operating system problems or debug programs. Write queries to analyze data in the database. Collaborate and communicate with IT Support Programs to debug and solve technical issues. Estimate and document resource requirements, level-of-effort, and timelines for major tasks and projects. Prepare application configuration and systems design alternatives according to established standards. Identify documents and evaluate information requirements at various management and operating levels.

Participate in developing programs to educate management and users in software application capabilities and requirements. Involves: Train functional end users in capabilities of their systems and guide them in dealing with related issues and problems. Perform related duties as assigned. Substitute, if assigned, for immediate supervisor or coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations. Assist supervisor with training new staff in established programming standards and procedures.

Supervise assigned staff. Involves: Assign, schedule, guide, and monitor work. Appraise employee performance and review subordinates’ appraisals. Provide for training and development. Counsel, motivate and maintain harmony. Identify and resolve staff differences, conflicts and deficiencies. Interview applicants. Recommend hiring, termination, transfers, discipline, merit pay or other employee status changes. Enforce personnel rules and regulations and work behavior standards firmly and impartially.

MOS Codes: None

Education and Experience : Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Processing, or related field and two (2) years of software support and analysis experience, or an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Processing, or related and four (4) years of software support and analysis experience.

Licenses and Certificates : A Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent issued by another state by time of appointment.

Special Requirements : Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check within the first six months of hire and maintain CJIS eligibility. CJIS requirements are related to system access, and the following list of convictions and/or deferred adjudications will fail the CJIS background check and result in disqualification and termination from employment: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions.

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of El Paso is a self-insured entity with a third-party administrator for Medical and Pharmacy benefits. Basic Life Insurance Coverage is available at no cost to eligible employees. Additional Life Insurance and coverage for your dependents are also available.

Employees can select optional Dental, Vision, and Short Term Disability coverage. Employees also have the option to participate in a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account (healthcare and/or dependent care for daycare expenses). All of these insurance and coverage options can be configured within a month of your new employee orientation date.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to mental health sessions, therapy, and more is available at no cost. A trained counselors are also available to help you and your dependents cope with life’s stressors so that you can live a happy productive lifestyle.

The City’s Wellness Program seeks to promote better health and wellness amongst the workforce through various programs and incentives in which employees may choose to participate in, to include wellness education, fitness tests, biometric screenings, group fitness, health coaching and so much more!

Keep Learning, Growing & Reinventing Yourself! The City of El Paso’s Tuition Assistance Program encourages employee personal and professional development by sharing educational costs with those employees who have successfully completed their original probation, and in turn retain a skillful workforce. Each year, employees can obtain Tuition Assistance for Degree, Certifications, Continuing Education, and Books & Equipment., All regular employees who are regularly scheduled to work on an average, a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week, who have held a position in the City Service for a period of six months from date of employment, shall be eligible for vacation allowance as hereinafter set forth. Part-time employees shall accrue vacation leave at a pro-rated amount of full-time entitlement based on the number of hours that they are scheduled to work. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements shall accrue vacation as provided in the applicable agreement.

Regular employees in the City Service shall accrue vacation credit at the following rates per pay period, calculated from the date of employment of each employee:

For 0 - 5 years of service (12 days): 40 hour per week employees - 3.70 hours per biweekly pay period

For >5 to 15 years of service (17 days): 40 hour per week employees - 5.24 hours per biweekly pay period

For >15 or more years of service (20 days): 40 hour per week employees - 6.16 hours per biweekly pay period, * Competitive wages

• Pension Plans
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave
• Quality Training and Tuition Assistance Programs

Mission:

Deliver exceptional services to support a high quality of life and place for our community.

Vision:

Develop a vibrant regional economy, safe and beautiful neighborhoods and exceptional recreational, cultural and educational opportunities powered by a high performing government.

Located at the westernmost edge of Texas along the Rio Grande River, El Paso has long been recognized as one of the nation’s safest cities with a population of over 800,000. This thriving community is aptly referred to as the “Sun City” - a moniker derived from the 300+ days of sunshine experienced annually. El Paso, the largest Texas City on the U.S./Mexico border and the sixth largest city in Texas, is a dynamic and vibrant community whose location on the border provides the City with a culturally diverse population and a rich heritage that embraces the past while building for the future.

El Paso is filled with many attractions that residents and visitors enjoy alike. For sports enthusiasts, the City is home to The El Paso Chihuahuas, the Minor League baseball team and Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. El Paso is also home to Sun Bowl Stadium at UTEP where many events occur, including Division I college football games and other events, including the nationally televised Sun Bowl game held each year. UTEP is also the home of the legendary Don Haskins Center where Division I college basketball games are played. Residents and visitors may also take in an El Paso Locomotive FC soccer game or an El Paso Rhinos hockey game. Located in El Paso are amusement parks, water parks, state parks, museums, the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. At the heart of the City is the Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest urban state park in Texas.

Fort Bliss is the largest installation in the United States Army Forces Command and the second largest military installation in the Army overall with the largest being the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Fort Bliss is an anchor of the local economy and its economic stability, as it is the single largest employer in the area supporting over 167,000 people with an annual economic contribution of over $25 billion. The City of El Paso strives to be the #1 City in America for Veterans to live. The City of El Paso has been recognized by the Texas Veterans Commission for its high Veteran Employment rate. The City government currently employs approximately 14% of veterans and has a Military and Veterans Affairs department.