Applications Analyst

Department: University Life

Classification: Info Technology Spec 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary range starting low $70k, commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

University Life Information Technology Services provides technology support, guidance, and training to the division of University Life. We seek to build collaborative relationships with our customers and to deliver complete business solutions that streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, and foster growth. Technology Services offers a variety of technical services that support and advance both divisional and University-wide goals. University Life Technology Services identifies technology to improve business processes, provides guidance for hardware purchases, identifies software solutions, supports event spaces, and provides insight and information concerning the latest IT trends.

About the Position:

The Applications Analyst serves as a team member of the University Life Technology Services department, providing IT support for departmental enterprise software systems and any integrations. This position serves as the single point of contact for new systems, reviews and interfaces with central IT for approvals. This position also provides support for desktop and other needed equipment and ensures the confidentiality and security of all information.

Responsibilities:

System Support/Administration Performance:

• Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) on all components of assigned systems related to the departmental enterprise systems, including overall system functionality, reporting, interfaces, and other modules;
• Ensures all systems are managed and maintained in an industry compliant manner;
• Works with users to develop and implement department specific processes and procedures for overall use of systems, as well as troubleshooting documentation for all assigned systems;
• Works with vendors to troubleshoot software, understands implementation and features, and updates users as necessary;
• Develops and provides training for staff on software use and function;
• Provides guidance and direction for implementation of new features or processes within software. Sends out status reports, as appropriate;
• Supports and maintains peripheral devices that department software relies on;
• Provides support for departmental events, both on site and at remote sites;
• Performs routine maintenance of the systems as necessary;
• Coordinates with the vendor as necessary, to understand and document features, bugs, and provides support to the departments as the SME; and
• Ensures enterprise systems are maintained in a complaint manner and all industry controls are in place.

Process Development/Documentation:

• Assists other functional areas with process development as it relates to the assigned systems;
• Creates and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for functions and processes related to applications and workflow;
• Collaborates with staff in process development as SME on the software and associated technologies;
• Creates and maintains user support documentation for assigned systems;
• Develops best practice and standard operations processes for assigned systems/applications;
• Develops technical design and documentation of application dependent data conversions, interfaces, custom reporting, and custom applications; and
• Assists with audit responses, providing accurate response and following up on action items.

System Integration:

• Works with units inside and outside University Life to develop integrations with other systems;
• Develops methods for transfer of data to and from the housing management system utilizing APIs/SDKs and/or developing scripts;
• Ensures that integration processes are secure and follows industry best practices; and
• Performs scheduled reviews of integrated processes and makes enhancements where necessary.

Training:

• Develops current, useful, and maintainable training methods and materials for user training of systems;
• Provides user training to both fulltime and student staff on an on-going, annual schedule and as needed;
• Identifies staff training needs and makes recommendations for training;
• Enforces University computing policies and University Life Technology policies surrounding applications and systems; and
• Provides customer service to users to ensure applications are being used productively and appropriately.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Experience in application administration or technical support delivery;
• Experience with project management, systems planning, security principles, and general software management best practices;
• Experience working with vendor customer support on issue resolution;
• Experience upgrading software applications;
• Experience typically obtained in two years of professional experience in supporting customers and processes;
• Demonstrated experience in building user documentation and training users;
• Demonstrated experience training a diverse group of users;
• Demonstrated problem-solving/analytical skills, knowledge of analytical tools, and complex troubleshooting methods;
• Knowledge of systems planning, security principles, and general software management best practices;
• Ability to work through ambiguous work situations;
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce quality documentation and training materials;
• Highly developed attention to detail with time and project management skills;
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, diverse environment;
• Ability to multitask, problem-solve, be detail-oriented, and manage competing priorities; and
• Demonstrated customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Experience with assessing test scenarios, developing appropriate use cases/test plans, and quality control;
• Demonstrated project management skills;
• Ability to develop test scenarios and appropriate use cases/test plans;
• Knowledge of data management and security principles;
• Knowledge of appropriate system requirements for new systems and system enhancements; and
• Ability to develop system requirements for both new systems and enhancements/additional modules for existing systems.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Applications Analyst at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: January 9, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by: January 23, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

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Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

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