Information Systems Specialist

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, MIS, Public/Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university plus two (2) or more years of demonstrable experience working with network systems or application management and integration.
• Associate's Degree in Computer Science, MIS, Public/Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university plus four (4) or more years of demonstrable experience working with network systems or application management and integration.
• High School Diploma or GED plus six (6) or more years of demonstrable experience working with network systems or application management and integration.

Possession of a valid driver's license and ability to obtain/maintain a City of Hoover Driver's Permit.

Responsibilities

• Plans for future network hardware, software, and other services.
• Maintains and understands system backups for disaster recovery.
• Develops and maintains desktop/server deployment standards.
• Sets up, installs, maintains, and operates computer system software and hardware, peripherals, communication devices, including network management, e-mail, file sharing, printer sharing, and Internet/Intranet access.
• Sets up, installs, and maintains network communication hardware and cabling.
• Prepares documentation for various technology processes and implementation procedures.
• Implements and maintains databases on multiple platforms.
• Monitors help desk system for case management and resolution.
• Troubleshoots and repairs software, database, and end-user reporting problems.
• Researches and implements best practices for database management, software development, data security, and end-user reporting.
• Identifies and completes critical tasks in an urgent, creative, self-disciplined, and capable manner.
• Communicates and works well with department staff members and other employees.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including current and potential work problems, and makes suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

About the Role

The City of Hoover is seeking candidates for Information Systems Specialist positions to focus on the implementation, monitoring, and/or maintenance of the City's information technology and application systems. The City has a population of over 90,000 and is a suburb of the Birmingham/Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area in north central Alabama.

The City's infrastructure includes several buildings such as City Hall, Public Safety Center, 11 fire stations, multiple police department substations, the Hoover Metropolitan Complex, multiple parks, and 2 sewer systems. City Hall and the Public Safety Center are connected via fiber optics, while many other facilities are connected via various managed circuits.

The Information Systems Specialist role encompasses multiple areas, including:

• Computer networking and analysis
• Systems administration
• Security and information assurance
• Storage and backups
• IT audit
• Database administration
• GIS
• Enterprise software systems
• General software application systems and integration

The candidate should be knowledgeable in one or more of these areas.

Skills

The City's network/server environment is primarily Windows-based and utilizes a virtual environment for most systems. Key technologies and tools include:

• Mail environment: Exchange 2016
• Data Storage: NetApp with system backups using Veeam
• Databases: 95% Microsoft SQL Server, remainder DB2
• User-based application/software deployment: Microsoft SCCM
• Remote Access: Citrix Storefront
• WiFi: Extreme Networks
• Phone System: Cisco
• Network administration: Active Directory, Exchange Accounts, Group Policies
• Primary desktop OS: Windows 10

Applications used include both department-specific and enterprise-wide tools, such as:

• Microsoft Office
• Central Square (formerly Superion/Sungard Public Sector)
• Tyler Munis
• Esri-based GIS software
• Adobe Suite
• AutoCAD
• Laservault (document management)
• Support/Ticket Management Software

All roles require excellent verbal and written communication skills, including:

• Documenting network design, location mapping, application install and configuration processes, and user help documentation.
• Communicating via classroom training, presentations, and/or one-on-one support.
• Working with 3rd party vendors to communicate needs and disseminate information to the team.