Temporary Applications Analyst

Note: This position is classified as temporary and is currently funded through 12/31/2026.

The City of Kirkland's Information Technology Department is looking to hire an Applications Analyst!

Why Kirkland?

The role of the Applications Analyst is primarily to support business applications and database systems to ensure usability, availability and security. The Applications Analyst is responsible for providing technical, implementation, project management and system administration support for City software applications. This includes reporting, data analysis, client support, problem analysis and troubleshooting, and other related tasks. Assists in analyzing business needs, procuring, developing and implementing software solutions to meet customer application needs. Assists in support of complete COTS system lifecycle including recommendation, implementation, workflow, interfaces and upgrades.

The Applications Analyst assists Senior Applications Analyst/Programmers, and may act as backup for the Senior Applications Analyst/Programmer as necessary. Examples of responsibilities include assisting in the software and database administration of variety of electronic government systems. City technical environment is primarily Windows OS and SQL Server databases.

Principal Accountabilities

• Responsible for providing training, maintenance, and troubleshooting support of assigned City software applications and associated database systems, including oversight of vendors on problem resolution or feature enhancement. Assists with implementation and upgrade of application systems.
• Provides support for City software application systems, including client software upgrades, application feature access, creation of reports, guidance of vendor work, problem troubleshooting and tracking and user support.
• Provides assistance in the overall operation of the data processing function of the City, serving as backup to other staff as assigned by the Enterprise Applications Manager.

Essential Functions

• Works closely with other City IT staff and internal customers using enterprise applications. Provides high-quality, detailed consultation, technical support, and troubleshooting with an emphasis on customer satisfaction. Works in a highly coordinated manner with Senior Applications Analyst/Programmers, and other department staff in problem resolution. They will often be working in conjunction with a Senior Applications Analyst as an assistant for many business systems, but may occasionally act in a primary role.
• Assumes technical support responsibilities for major City applications to ensure high system availability, data integrity, security and ease of use. This includes developing system administration and troubleshooting documentation, policies and procedures; processing requests for application access in accordance with policy and management direction; assisting with system upgrades and enhancements, assisting with the implementation and maintenance of application interfaces to a variety of sources. Coordinates with other responsible Department staff and vendor support staff to ensure minimal impact on overall system performance.
• Assists in the creation and maintenance of data integration between systems and enhances systems through scripting, customization and/or coding where necessary.
• Assists in designing, creating and maintaining custom databases and client/server applications including scripting, and/or programming for custom business application needs.
• Assists, facilitates, and/or supports user teams (formal and informal).
• Provides instructions to new and existing employees on features, capabilities and policies of assigned major application systems and assists employees in utilizing the software to meet their needs. Develops required documentation to support this function.
• Researches and maintains knowledge of current application and database technologies to ensure the City's awareness of current technical tools.
• Analyzes the application needs of client departments, performs research and suggests products and/or methods for applying technology to address business process and organizational needs.
• Serves as liaison with vendor support organizations for responsible systems and services.
• Serves as an escalation point to provide upper tier technical and database support as necessary in support of the Service Desk.
• Ensures City technology standards and policies are met.
• Maintains detailed, up-to-date documentation of user and client procedures, problem fixes, vendor support contacts/procedures, customizations and interfaces and disaster recovery procedures.
• Develops ad hoc reports in support of both departmental and organizational requests and needs.
• Ensures that responsible Department staff are adequately trained on the essential procedures and activities of assigned duties to provide adequate coverage in the absence of the incumbent.
• Ensures that system documentation are kept up-to-date.
• Develops reports and plays a support role in manipulating data as required by internal customers and applications.
• Special project or program roles may be assigned as needed.
• May work on joint projects with the Network and Operations, Digital Communications and/or Geographic Information Services Divisions as related to supporting enterprise applications.
• Provides after-hours technical support as needed to support completion of projects and/or ensure production systems are functioning properly.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City staff and vendors, including ability to effectively facilitate diverse technical and non-technical functional teams.
• Working knowledge of database administration concepts and relational database design methods for such products as SQL Server on Windows. Knowledge of Oracle, Informix, Progress and Sybase database knowledge helpful. Comprehensive knowledge of Windows Operating systems. Knowledge of UNIX/LINUX operating systems helpful. Working knowledge of data manipulation language (DML), data definition language (DDL) and data control language (DCL) in support of extracting and transforming (ETL) data for reporting and analysis, creating and managing databases, indexes, stored procedures, user defined functions, user access, security, and data transfer between systems.
• Knowledge of scripting and coding languages including HTML, XML, Vbscript, ASP, .NET, advanced Transact SQL and other scripting languages in support of custom databases and client/server applications helpful. Knowledge of application development methods and techniques helpful.
• Working knowledge of reporting tools, their use and programming syntax including Crystal Reports, SQL Reporting Services, Access, Excel. Knowledge of vendor proprietary reporting tools helpful.
• Experience supporting and administering systems.
• Working knowledge of application packages supported by the Department such as the Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Exchange/Outlook, Adobe products such as Adobe Reader and Pro and digital forms.
• Working knowledge of PC hardware platforms, components, peripherals, repair techniques and the use of diagnostic tools for troubleshooting problems.
• Basic understanding of networks and operating systems desired.
• Working knowledge of web design and management concepts and web database integration. Web application experience is helpful.
• Ability to comprehend and resolve the technical issues experienced by staff using software application programs.
• Knowledge of PC network and data communication concepts, preferably in a Windows environment.
• Ability to read and comprehend technical manuals and apply their contents to solving hardware and software problems.
• Ability to accurately convey technical information to non-technical audiences both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage more than one project and/or major task assigned at any given time.
• Excellent planning, organizing, problem solving and time-management skills.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or a closely related field; at least two years of experience supporting cross-departmental application and associated database systems; experience with networking and PC support highly desired; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above.

Due to the level of security access for this position, incumbents will be required to pass any background check required by State or Federal law.

Working Conditions
Incumbent is typically required to reach, stand, walk, finger, talk, hear and perform activities requiring repetitive motions. Work is typically light work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of force greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as light work.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.