Software Application Support Specialist - Senior

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The Human Services division of the Placer County Department of Health and Human Services is seeking to fill a vacancy for the classification of Senior Software Application Support Specialist. This position is responsible for the technical and functional co-supervision of four (4) Software Application Support Specialists who support department-specific software applications. In the Human Services Division, the main software applications are CalHEERS, BenefitsCal, MEDS, CalSAWS, and the EBT systems. The Senior position also works closely with Human Services executive leadership to prepare and deliver responses to the CalSAWS consortium on behalf of Placer County and represents Placer County by attending a variety of consortium level meetings.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To oversee and provide the most difficult or complex technical and functional support to users of automated state public assistance systems; to analyze, investigate, resolve, and coordinate the resolution of complex system related case problems or issues; and to exercise technical and functional supervision over other staff members as assigned.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Software Application Support Specialist series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the journey level class within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, and independence of action taken. Employees in this classification perform the more difficult and responsible duties within the series requiring specialized knowledge and abilities, including acting in a lead capacity. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to automated state public assistance systems.

Receives general supervision from an assigned supervisor.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide complex program and technical support to end users who utilize automated state public assistance systems; defines, evaluates, analyzes, and documents problems with these systems and proposes solutions related to automated state public assistance systems functions.
• Identify knowledge gaps of system’s end-users or trends and topics related to system functions; prepare instructional materials, user hints, and guidelines; provide feedback to system users and supervisors concerning error trends and tips for problem avoidance and resolution.
• Assign, review, and coordinate work performed by subordinate staff.
• May recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; provide standards and operating guidelines.
• Conduct training pertaining to the use of new applications or systems for all users across the department.
• Prepare, draft, revise, and organize complex technical documents and communications, procedural plans, reports, correspondence, and other documents; analyze and recommend modifications to procedures and documentation; establish and maintain files and records as appropriate
• Assist subordinate staff in resolving complex system and/or application issues where detailed knowledge of the system and/or application is required; function as a technical subject matter expert assisting staff in the interpretation of system requirements and applicable regulations.
• Analyze rules, regulations, or systems to identify and advise management of their impact on current systems and/or operations; provide input and recommendations on necessary revisions and facilitate implementing changes.
• Investigate, resolve, and coordinate resolutions of end-user errors and system use, access, operations, and application problems; develop system workarounds as necessary.
• Serve as the County’s Primary Point of Contact (PPOC) for automated state public assistance systems; attend and participate in various statewide committee meetings and workgroups regarding assigned functions.
• Develop business processes to be incorporated into the automated state public assistance system design; review proposed change requests; provide feedback and recommendations to project team and program managers; advocate for support of County’s requests for changes in functionality.
• Analyze and review complex technical automated state public assistance system issues and changes which require a high level of skill, judgment, and expertise; make recommendations on a broad spectrum of administrative and program-related topics.
• Oversee and perform application support duties such as monitoring or adding applications/users/devices, modifying user profiles, re-setting passwords, and performing file maintenance; set up security and access permissions for internal and external users consistent with County policies and procedures.
• May perform application related troubleshooting including identifying causes for slowdowns, lock ups, and log-in problems and resolving at immediate level.
• Coordinate project activities with automated state public assistance systems vendors; maintain effective communications with users regarding vendor activities; ensure compliance with County specifications; drive resolution of identified software defects and deficiencies.
• Perform various quality assurance activities; test, troubleshoot, and debug system issues; prepare and execute testing plans to validate functionality and resolve issues.
• Perform specialized assignments or projects as determined by the needs of the department.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, outside vendors, government agencies, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible technical or operational experience performing duties similar to a Software Application Support Specialist.

Training: Equivalent to an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in computer science, business, office technology or a field related to the assigned department system or application.

Note: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department. Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Required License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license may be required.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Bethany Clinkenbeard, Administrative Technician, at bclinkenbeard@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4669.