APPLICATION SUPPORT ANALYST- Powerschool (Existing position)

Edmonton Catholic Schools is now accepting applications for the position of
APPLICATION SUPPORT ANALYST- Powerschool
(Existing position)
Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school district whose mission is to provide a
Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to
serve God in one another. The District is comprised of over 39,000 students and 3,500
employees in 89 schools and other sites.
Under general direction, and based on a high level analyst skill set, the job participates in the
planning and providing direct support to the development/reengineering, implementation
and ongoing maintenance of a wide range of administrative support applications such as
eLuminate, Student Records, Transportation, Racers, PASI and Edulink data reporting. The job
is one of six, providing day-to day application support including problem resolution to
assigned administrative business applications.
This is a 12 month, Out of Scope, Level 6, full-time position with a salary range of
$72,333.00 - $90,430.00 to commence as soon as possible.
For additional information on this job
opportunity, please contact Debbie
Hawrelak, Manager, Information
Technology at [email protected]
Please email a letter of interest and resume
by 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 21, 2014
to:
Corinne King, Manager, Staffing
Human Resource Services
[email protected]
Prior to employment, successful
candidates will be required to submit
Police Information Check and Intervention
Record Check documents.
We thank all candidates for their interest.
Only applicants considered for the
position will be contacted.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
 Provide direct support for PowerSchool, Acorn, School Connect (SynreVoice) and all
associated student records software as required;
 Working knowledge of DDA and DDE;
 Working knowledge of PASI functionality;
 Experience with import/export functions;
 Plan for and implement all versions, security, and upgrades as required;
 Responsible for ensuring the integrity of current PowerSchool and Acorn data in the
event files have to be recovered from established backups;
 Develop and facilitate training for all stakeholders
 Create and maintain PowerSchool admin, teacher, parent and student accounts on the
educational side as well as any application software running on the server;
 Collaborate with educational and administrative staff on using and developing
procedures incorporating computer-aided instruction to ensure optimal efficiency of
both users & technology.
Qualifications:
 Working knowledge of PowerSchool and related applications;
 Minimum of three years PowerSchool experience preferred;
 Experience dealing with end users and vendors;
 Experience with SQL/Oracle an asset;
 Proficient in server and workstation operating systems;
 Strong communications, interpersonal and analytical skills to provide in-service to district
personnel;
 Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment;
 Knowledgeable in PowerSchool, Acorn, Windows 2008-12 server and Windows 7, XP,
operating systems and Microsoft Office products;
 Knowledge of database administration is an asset.
A complete job description is shown below.
Out of Scope Job Description
JOB IDENTIFICATION:
Incumbent:
Working Title: Application Support Analyst
Current Classification Level: 06
Requested Classification Level:
Supervisor’s Name:
Supervisor’s Working Title: Manager
Department: Information and Infrastructure Technology Services
Program: Information Technology Services
Location: Catholic Education Centre
PRIMARY FOCUS/OVERALL ACCOUNTABILITY: Provide a brief summary of the job, covering the main responsibilities, the
framework within which the job has to operate and the main contribution to the organization.
Under general direction, and based on a high level analyst skill set, the job participates in the planning for and then provides
direct support to the development/re-engineering, implementation and ongoing maintenance of a wide range of administrative
support applications associated with student records. The job is part of a team providing day-to day application support
including problem resolution to assigned administrative business applications.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Identify the most important end results expected of the job (accountabilities) and how they are achieved.
Most jobs are responsible for the delivery of seven to ten key end results.
1. Participate in planning, development/reengineering, implementation and ongoing support of a wide range of administrative
business applications
2. Research and make recommendations on the development/implementation of new methodologies/technologies to ensure
effective, efficient development and support of department applications
3. Ensure the integrit of current student record data in the event files have to be recovered for established back-upsProvide
functional leadership in area of expertise by leading projects and/or cross-discipline teams
4. Work closely with developers to identify requirements relating to data extraction from other desperate systems such as
student records etc.
5. Program and customize student records to meet the Alberta Education requirements for reporting data elements.
6. Collaborate with users and department staff to develop system requirements and specifications, ensuring that applications
meet business case requirements and adhere to department policies, procedures and standards.
7. Work closely with systems personnel on disaster recovery strategies, back-up /restore processes, capacity planning and
security requirements.
8. Consult with stakeholders to identify business problems and communicate ways of streamlining process
9.
Provide high level maintenance and support to at least one of the major mission critical administrative business applications
(i.e. ELuminate and Pearson Student Records) including defining and resolving day-to- day application processing problems.
10. Plan, develop and provide administrative support to databases/datasets specific to the applications assigned
11. Provide advanced support for site administrators, including training and troubleshooting
12. Provide high level technical and data integration support to specific defined applications (PowerSchool and its associated
software) as part of the unit’s ongoing commitment to establish applications.
13. Perform high-end application systems testing on assigned systems prior to deployment ensuring user receives a working
product that meets project objectives
14. Provide day- to- day application support to department planned processes for integrating all databases/datasets, helping to
ensure effective data capture and accessibility to all users
15. Provide either direct or back-up operating system administration support to the UNIX HP-UX environment as required
16. Act as a technical application back-up to team members ensuring continuity of service provided to users
17. Coach, counsel and assist new and junior members of the development/support team in the achievement of departmental
goals.
Updated November 2014
1
Out of Scope Job Description
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Identify the most important end results expected of the job (accountabilities) and how they are achieved.
Most jobs are responsible for the delivery of seven to ten key end results.
18. Develop and maintain knowledge in district business applications to provide support
19. Develop content management strategies and district branding
20. Maintain technical knowledge through a range of professional development activities
PROBLEM SOLVING: Describe difficult or challenging situations the position is typically expected to solve; the degree of originality
of the solutions; assistance available; and any problems or decisions that must be referred to a supervisor for resolution or
approval
Problems are related to varied applications such as eLuminate, Student Records, Transportation, PASI and Edulink data reporting.
The job resolves problems with assigned signed administrative business applications. This position is also primarily responsible
for researching solutions and making recommendations on technologies to improve existing business processes or challenges.
This position has the authority to make decisions directly related to ongoing day-to-day operational issues and maintenance of
the applications
The job requires specialized knowledge of business applications and a level of expertise in the respective business application.
As a result most decisions are made independently and often within tight timelines.
The job participates in strategic planning both within the department and with district staff.
ORGANIZATIONAL DATA: Identify any measurable areas upon which the job has either direct or indirect impact. Measures that
may be included are: number of staff supervised, annual operating budget, number and size of projects, clients served or any
other significant values. Include examples that indicate the “size” of the job. Attach a complete Organization Chart that includes
supervisor, peers, direct reports and staff.
This position participates in planning, programming/re-engineering, implementation and provides ongoing maintenance for a
wide range of Administrative Business Applications. These applications cover the spectrum of eLuminate, Student Records,
Transportation, PASI and Edulink data reporting. These mission critical applications provide direct administrative support to
34,000 students, 3,000 staff and also the gathering integrity checking and movement of data to the Alberta Education justifying
over $100 million in funding the department receives. Applications such as Edulink support hundreds of users around the
province who require the capability to communicate data to Alberta Education.
CONTACTS: Identify internal and/or external contacts such as co-workers, clients, stakeholders and partners. Indicate the
nature and purpose of contact (i.e. to deliver information, present data, negotiate contracts, etc.) and frequency (daily, weekly,
monthly etc.).
Contact
Nature and Purpose
Frequency
Principals and managers
District staff
Network contract service
providers
Vendors, Contractors and
consultants
Updated November 2014
To provide leadership, expertise and facilitate consultation to
address business needs and enhancements
To provide information and resolve problems
To user identify needs and solutions
To provide training and guidance
To communicate project plans, division standards and policies
To oversee work and approve final results.
To evaluate software and hardware solutions on behalf of the
district to meet specific needs or solutions.
To contribute to technical support issues, upgrades, bug fixes etc.
Weekly
Daily
As needed
As needed
2
Out of Scope Job Description
Students, parents and
stakeholders
Alberta Education and other
school jurisdictions
Technology providers (Pearson,
Cayenta)
Alberta PowerSchool user group.
To identify needs and solutions that may be delivered through
the districts portal initiative.
To provide and exchange information
To work on collaborative or cross-jurisdiction initiatives
To provide technical support to the data transfer processes
established between stakeholders in this area.
To provide technical application support in executing
development/reengineering plans or instituting processes to
resolve defined problems.
To share technical knowledge, best practices and resolve
problems
As needed
As needed
As needed
As needed
Job Qualifications: Include a list of the most important knowledge factors, including knowledge about practical procedures,
specialized techniques etc. Outline specific training that is needed to do the work and any occupational
certification/registration required for the job. Include a list of competencies (skills and abilities) critical in performing the job.
Knowledge
Competencies
• Degree or diploma in Computing Science, or Computer
• Highly motivated and self directed
Technology, plus four years in development and support
• Ability to work in collaboration with others
positions designing, implementing and supporting major
• Ability to remain calm and focused in very stressful
business applications.
situations
• Microsoft Certified Developer or equivalent industry
• Strong time management skills and the ability to
certification.
manage competing priorities
• Strong working knowledge of: Microsoft Visual Basic, Active
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and
Server, Internet Information Server ODBC and SQL Server.
the ability to effectively communicate technical
Database environments, current System Analysis, Design
information to non-technical individuals
Methodologies, Windows NT Enterprise Server, Windows NT • Strong problem solving, analytical and conceptual
Server. Windows NT Workstation operating system
skills; ability to create original concepts/theories
environments, internal data structures including both SQL
• Customer service focused attitude and the ability to
and Oracle database administration experiences, computer
conduct needs assessment of non-technical users
network structures and supporting policies
• Ability to influence decision-making and to
• Training specific to the application supported such as people
recommend alternative solutions or courses of action
Tools I & II, and SQL/SQR. Technical internals training for
• Excellent interpersonal skills
Cayenta and Pearson Student Records products.
• Ability to present complex technical concepts in a
• Knowledge of WAN, LAN and internet technologies.
simple understandable format
• Working knowledge of UNIX HP-UX operating system
• Ability to provide guidance and mentoring to technical
administration.
staff
• Knowledge of the educational environment and its unique
• Ability to travel to sites within the district
technical requirements.
• Application specific business process knowledge of project
management techniques; FOIP Legislation; e-records
management; and system security standards
Updated November 2014
3
Out of Scope Job Description
Organizational Chart - Information Technology Services
Assistant Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Director
Information &
Infrastructure
Office/Project Technology
Office/Project
Manager
Manager
Administrative
Assistant
Manager,
Information
Technology
Services
Administrative
Assistant
Director
Information &
Infrastructure
Technology
Manager,
Information
SharePoint
Technology
Developer
Services
Application Analyst 3
( 4 jobs)
Application Support
Project Coordinator
Analyst
Application Analyst 3
( 2 jobs)
( 4 jobs)
Application
Development
Specialist 2
SharePoint
Developer
Application Data
Coordinator
Application Support
Analyst
(2 jobs)
Project Coordinator
Application Analyst 1
Application
Development
Specialist 2
Application Data
Coordinator
Application Analyst
Signatures
The signatures below indicate that the incumbent, supervisor and principal/director have read, discussed,
and agreed that the information accurately reflects the work assigned.
Incumbent
Name
Signature
Date
Name
Signature
Date
Name
Signature
Date
Supervisor
Manager
Updated November 2014
4
Out of Scope Job Description
This information is being collected under the authority of Board Governance Policy EL# 5 relating to Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act and will be used to allocate positions within a classification plan and to manage the Edmonton
Catholic School District’s human resources program. If you have any questions about the collection of this information, contact the
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resource Services at 780 441-6061.
Form Revised November 2007
Updated November 2014
5