Advanced Business Analyst - PA Operations - Reading-Pottsville Pk

This position is located in Reading, PA or Akron, OH. The level will be determined by the experience level of the successful candidate.

About the Role

This position is responsible for supporting Work Management Operations (WMO) Consolidated Planning technical responsibilities and processes.

• Learning and understanding the various aspects of the monthly duties related to the standardized long-range planning database, including providing and processing monthly change logs, extracting, processing, and loading actual timesheet data as each calendar month closes, and related activities.
• Backing up other analysts as vacations and other absences or assignments require additional support, including:
  • Supporting and collaborating with operations leadership in using and understanding long-range planning tools and reports.
  • Presenting to and interacting with operations leadership up through senior level on consolidated planning work plans and results.
  • Providing updated work plans to short-term planning personnel to facilitate completion of annual required work.
  • Ensuring the use of booked man-hours as it compares to budgeted hours and addressing any variances by providing the proper level of reporting to operations and WMO leadership.
• Supporting Work Management initiatives as well as implementing Work Management process and performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Designing, building, and optimizing relational databases, custom macros/modules, and automation tools within the Microsoft Office suite (specifically Access and Excel).
• Translating complex business requirements into clean, scalable, and user-friendly automation solutions.
• Creating intuitive, user-friendly GUIs, forms, dashboards, and reporting interfaces for non-technical end-users.
• Analyzing and upgrading existing legacy databases, spreadsheets, and VBA applications to improve performance and stability.
• Writing technical documentation and user guides for the tools and scripts.
• Facilitating recurring meetings to discuss work plans with short-term planning personnel, the Operations Manager (when available), and Engineering personnel responsible for designers.
• Collecting agreed-upon target changes for remaining work and absences via recurring meetings and collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Entering collected data into a change log and providing it to the database administrator for implementation in the database.
• Preparing, publishing, and/or distributing WMO Consolidated Planning reports as needed.
• Promoting safety and safe work practices.
• Providing storm support, including off-hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Supporting and championing Consolidated Planning systems and processes for FirstEnergy Utility Operations.
• Filling a supporting role to management and business partners following well-defined practices while providing consistent service, continuous support, and proactive involvement.
• Recommending and developing solutions to issues and assignments.
• Identifying and supporting process improvement activities and efficiencies through collaboration with other corporate departments (e.g., Engineering).
• Anticipating and meeting internal and external customer needs.
• Conducting business-specific research and analyzing work plan data, interpreting results, and assisting in implementation activities for corrective action when necessary.
• Participating in the development of WMO Consolidated Planning programs and policies.
• Occasional travel to meetings, trainings, etc., though infrequent.

Qualifications

Assistant Business Analyst Level:

• Two- or four-year degree in STEM fields: Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Software Development, Programming, Data Science/Analytics, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent practical experience). A certificate in a Computer Science-related field will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of relational databases, SQL, and data modeling.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Access (required), Microsoft Excel (required), and TOAD (Tool for Oracle Application Developers) (preferred).
• Detail-oriented and analytical VBA Designer/Developer to streamline business operations by automating and optimizing existing processes.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and make recommendations based on analytics.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and logic skills.
• Questioning attitude and willingness to challenge the status quo.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, work independently and/or in teams, and demonstrate strong decision-making capabilities.
• Basic analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to research and utilize best practices.
• Actively seek ways to build challenges and add value within the scope of assignments.
• Awareness of changes to tasks, processes, and procedures that impact the organization.

Associate Business Analyst Level: All of the above qualifications plus deeper knowledge or experience in the listed requirements.

Business Analyst/Advanced Business Analyst Level:

• All of the above qualifications plus a Bachelor’s degree in STEM fields (or equivalent practical experience) with a minimum of 4 to 7 years of relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of analyzing data to deliver recommendations.
• Ability to communicate to different levels of upper leadership, representing the Voice of the Employee.

Senior Business Analyst Level:

• All of the above qualifications plus a Bachelor’s degree in STEM fields (or equivalent practical experience) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Independent thought leader that drives collaborative efforts.