Programmer Analyst II

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

JOB SUMMARY

This position designs computer application solutions for existing complex or campus-wide computer systems.

This position provides technical expertise in the development of application systems including analysis, design, development, configuration, implementation, maintenance, testing, training and documentation. Responsible for design, creation, implementation and maintenance of UBC IT Okanagan databases. Responsible for ensuring the reliability and high availability of UBC Okanagan mission critical 7x24 systems including application management, application monitoring, support, problem analysis and resolution, and ensuring services meet or exceed customer service levels at all times.

This position will develop, support and implement various programming solutions for the unit’s Web and Application services. This position participates in the full project cycle from conception of programmable functionality to delivery of various application projects and initiatives, and ongoing support and upgrade of these systems.

This position works a fixed schedule but requires flexibility as some work must be performed outside of regular business operating hours. This position may also be required to act in an on-call capacity in the event of major service disruptions.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

This position supports clients of UBC IT Okanagan. This position reports to the Team Lead, Web and Applications. This position works closely with other Programmer Analysts, System Administrators and Service Owners to build, develop, maintain, test, deploy applications and to identify areas of improvement on incident, request, and service delivery. Interacts directly with other University technology professionals at both the Okanagan and Vancouver campuses. This position requires interactions with faculty and staff.

WORK PERFORMED

Specific Duties:

• Develops customized web-based software. Prepares functional specifications and builds prototypes. Develops technical specifications for system development, system integration, testing and conversion processes, within the established technical architecture and database design.
• Consults with users to clarify application requirements and then determines programming needs to meet them.
• Based on consultation, evaluates functional requirements, system features, integration requirements, security requirements and scalability and performance requirements.
• Evaluates and selects appropriate programming language; is accountable for the quality of code developed; accurately documents and comments on code. Ensures best practices are followed.
• Contributes to the ongoing planning and development of system enhancements in support of current or new internal tools and applications. Collaborates with peers/team members to identify, analyze, recommend and implement appropriate system enhancements that will improve existing systems and improve business processes and productivity.
• Performs quality assurance testing (particularly with respect to integration and security) using functional testing, unit testing and other testing methodologies as required. Performs system testing including integration testing, load testing and user acceptance testing.
• Prepare training plans, training materials, and trains staff as required during system implementation.
• Creates, edits, and maintains technical and process documentation in the knowledge management system including, but not limited to, how to user guides, application guides, technical reference manuals and production control manuals.
• Performs data analysis, data modeling, and logical and physical database design for small to medium application systems. Implement these designs with the current database infrastructure.
• Provides operational support for production systems including troubleshooting system problem reports, resolving issues with production systems, defining operational support processes and providing end-user support as required.
• Maintains existing database server software (above the O/S level). Administer user accounts to securely control access to databases. Administer databases to ensure optimal database performance. Performs application data conversation, migration and upgrades.
• Creates scripts to provide automated import and export functions as required. Develops small web-based tools and scripts for use within the existing web infrastructure.
• Writes SAML 2.0 (Shibboleth) or CWL applications.
• Integrates in house developed applications or vendor supplied applications with existing infrastructure, identity and access management systems, and applications through standard interfaces and protocols.
• Ensures that applications developed and supported by Web and Application Services meet interoperability and security standards.

Core Duties:

• Designs, develops and programs custom software, defines detailed application specifications, standards, and diagrams and develops coding logic flowcharts.
• Develops overall systems design, researches and evaluates vendor supplied applications, provides customize or develop recommendations, and implements accordingly.
• Analyzes and reviews existing or proposed system features and integration, security, scalability and performance requirements with clients, business analysts, and team members.
• Manages small to medium sized projects and related budgets.
• Packages in house developed applications for production or integrates vendor supplied applications.
• Provides technical expertise, training, and consultation to other staff. Develops or modifies software application design and specific modules.
• Conducts testing of new or customized application modules to ensure application meets specifications.
• Documents functions and changes to new or modified modules, tests activities/results, error handling and backup/recovery procedures.
• Provides ongoing maintenance and operational support for applications.
• Supports software development lifecycle and applies and follows appropriate programming/development methodologies and best practices.
• Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools.
• Performs other related duties as required.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/JUDGEMENT

The services supported by Information Technology require reliable application systems in order to provide critical functions that support all students, faculty and staff. These systems must be available on a 7x24 basis.

Decisions and actions taken by the Programmer Analyst II will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively the system will perform and function. Errors in judgement, poor planning and development or failure to act decisively could have a detrimental effect on these systems. Unreliable systems and code errors that disrupt the operations of these systems may result in significant impact on faculty members, students, administration and instructional support staff at UBC.

Poorly researched, designed, or implemented web applications may result in financial cost or other liabilities for the University or its community. Poorly written or maintained web applications could result in unauthorized access to systems, inaccurate information due to processing errors, privacy breach due to exploits, or an inability to access critical information due to performance or availability issues. These errors could result in damage to the reputation of departments, the campus, or the University as a whole.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general direction of the Team Lead, Web and Application. Must be able to work independently and carry out work to completion. Keeps Team Lead, Web and Applications informed of the status of work in progress. Works to deadlines and tasks on projects. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of desired results.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

The Programmer Analyst II is required to train staff and clients on applications developed or supported by UBC IT Okanagan. This position provides technical expertise to other junior team members. This position may supervise the work of Contractors or junior IT professionals on a project basis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in web and application development.
• Broad experience with multiple programming languages and technologies.
• Strong knowledge and experience with current software development platforms and frameworks including: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX, JSON, XML, WordPress, Drupal, CSS3, HTML5, Bootstrap is required.
• Strong programming in PHP, JavaScript, Shell Scripting and WordPress.
• Strong knowledge of web security and best practices, current web technologies and trends is required.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Familiarity with all of the following current platforms and environments: Linux, Apache, LDAP, eDirectory, Active Directory, SAML, FTP, SSH, BASH, SSL, Git, Shared Web Hosting.
• Expertise in authentication module development, preferably using SAML 2.0.
• Knowledge of OWASP ASVS web application security standards, and ISC CSSLP domains.
• Knowledge and experience with web design, programming and implementation of small to large scale web applications, web sites and enterprise-level content management systems is required.
• Knowledge of common web and application development tools, version management tools, and standard office productivity tools.
• Knowledge of web and application development technologies, frameworks, and platform architecture, internet software standards, and services.
• Must understand past and current desktop and mobile browser standards and cross platform compatibility issues, common plugins/helper applications and related design issues, networking and firewall issues.
• Knowledge of project management disciplines and best practices.
• Excellent communication skills including reading, writing, listening, speaking, facilitation, and presentation delivery. Must be able to impart technical information to audiences with mixed levels of ability.
• Good organizational and time management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks. Must be able to prioritize and organize effectively, and to meet established timelines and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and presentation of information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment in a diverse, complex, distributed and fluid environment. Ability to work collaboratively with staff at all organizational levels.
• Willingness to constructively challenge the status quo, but demonstrate flexibility and effect change in a positive manner.
• Willingness to raise security concerns regardless of ownership and potential impact.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and continually upgrade skills.
• Understands and relates to the academic University environment.
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is an asset.

Collaboration - Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish specific objectives targeted at defined business outcomes. Openly encourages other team members to voice their ideas and concerns. Shows respect for differences and diversity, and disagrees without personalizing issues. Utilizes strengths of team members to achieve
optimal performance.

Communicating for Results - Conducts discussions with and writes memoranda to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support troubleshooting and problem solving. Seeks and shares relevant information, opinions, and judgments. Handles conflict empathetically. Explains the context of interrelated situations, asks probing questions, and solicits multiple sources of advice prior to taking action when appropriate.

Problem Solving - Applies problem-solving methodologies and tools to diagnose and solve operational and interpersonal problems. Determines the potential causes of the problem and devises testing methodologies for validation. Shows empathy and objectivity toward individuals involved in the issue. Analyzes multiple alternatives, risks, and benefits for a range of potential solutions. Recommends resource requirements and collaborates with impacted stakeholders.

Accountability - Sets objectives that meet organizational needs. Provides recommendations to individuals and teams on ways to improve performance and meet defined objectives. Monitors and provides feedback on individual and team performance against defined standards.

Business Process Knowledge - Maps full business processes and designs operational process flow. Facilitates group input and drafts proposals for process improvements. Identifies resource implications. Implements process improvement recommendations within the context of overall business processes.

Information Systems Knowledge - Resolves escalated problems of technical support. Identifies root causes. Sets up and integrates new and enhanced information systems. Identifies customer needs and determines the appropriate approach to apply and ensure resolution. Solicits the input of appropriate technical experts and managers as required.