Software Application Support Specialist

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO PERMANENT PLACER COUNTY EMPLOYEES ONLY.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Human Services Division is seeking to fill a vacancy for the classification of Software Application Support Specialist. The Software Application Support Specialist is responsible for supporting department-specific software applications. In the Human Services Division, the main software applications are CalWIN, CalHEERs, and CalSAWS. These systems are used to determine applicants’ and recipients’ eligibility, and are used to facilitate benefit issuance to eligible Placer County residents. Incumbents also provide support for ACCESS CalWIN, the IVR website for end user accounts; MyBenefitsCalWIN, the online access website for applications and benefit inquiry; ebtEDGE, the system that is used for Electronic Benefit Transfer of cash and food assistance benefits (EBT), and the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS).

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 General benefits

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

This is the full journey level in the Software Application Support Specialist classification series.  Employees at this level possess knowledge of specialized application/systems, as opposed to more general knowledge of a variety of standard hardware and software used throughout the County.  Employees receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.  

Employees within this class are distinguished from the Software Application Support Specialist – Senior in that the latter is responsible for the oversight of subordinate Software Application Support Specialist staff.  

Employees within this class are distinguished from the more broad-based classifications series of Information Technology Technician and Information Technology Specialist by the performance of the full range of duties related to training and functional support for department operating staff in the use of specific enterprise application software.  The latter classes are responsible for on-site diagnosis and resolution of a broad range of complex system related hardware, software, and/or application problems that the Software Application Support Specialist is unable to resolve.  In contrast, the Software Application Support Specialist has a very specific scope of responsibility and is more focused on maintaining an awareness or expertise in a specialized application or system in order to support department users in that system. 

Receives general supervision from an assigned supervisor; and may receive technical and functional supervision from higher level staff.

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

• Provide one-on-one training, including orienting new users within assigned department regarding specific application uses and operations and department policies and procedures related to use of the system.
• Develop and present training materials for classroom training related to new and/or modified application modules, including process mapping, information newsletters, procedure memos, voicemail, electronic mail, and internal process development.
• Assist users of a particular application where detailed knowledge of the specific application is required; troubleshoot, debug, and resolve a variety of operations/business-related application problems.
• Troubleshoot assigned applications and/or systems to ensure functional operation; modify system tables, screens, etc., develop system workarounds as necessary.
• Design and generate a variety of routine and ad hoc customized reports based on customer requirements.
• Participate on committees and task forces; attend meetings, conferences and training sessions.
• Prepare modifications to software application policy and procedure manuals and related directives for distribution to users.
• Record and maintain documentation of reported application software issues or problems; refer as necessary to help desk, developer group or vendor; follow up to ensure trouble ticket issues are resolved before being closed; make recommendations regarding software changes to assigned applications.
• Prepare data maintenance documents and follow up to ensure completion; prepare information recovery plan.
• May perform application related troubleshooting including identifying causes for slowdowns, lock ups, and log-in problems and resolving at immediate level; reset passwords as needed.
• Perform routine application support duties such as monitoring or adding applications/users/devices, modifying user profiles, re-setting passwords and performing file maintenance; set up basic user access permissions consistent with County policies and procedures.
• When assigned to support a statewide system, assist in the evaluation of upcoming changes to programs, regulations, or the application; assist in identifying impact on current County system and/or processes; provide input on necessary revisions; and assist with implementing changes.
• May perform application software maintenance duties; perform data compaction procedures, disk scanning, and virus screening; install and test software application patches and upgrades.
• Serve on project teams providing technical assistance as needed.
• Provide after hours technology support as needed.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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 years of increasingly responsible technical or operational experience working with Department, Countywide, or Statewide software applications and systems requiring extensive knowledge of the specialized application and related program requirements.  Experience providing user support and/or training is highly desirable.

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.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

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.

Knowledge of:

• Training methods and techniques appropriate and effective for application users.
• Principles and practices related to use and operation of computer software applications and related operating systems, including work processes, methods of data entry/retrieval, and system navigation.
• Business processes within a major functional area related to department operations.
• Computer software and hardware error research and correction alternatives.
• Standard procedures used to maintain data integrity and security in networked systems.
• Application execution on a Local Area Network.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Provide effective technical training and support to users of application software.
• Troubleshoot and assess problems with software and equipment; identify and locate equipment; interpret work orders; remember equipment location and systems; and explain operations and jobs to others.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist when performing installation or repair of equipment; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; and lift 40 pounds or less.
• Assess and develop logical and reliable solutions to problems relating to assigned applications and initiate corrective actions.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and process work to ensure that deadlines are met; organize and manage multiple assignments and priorities.
• Develop, prepare, and present training materials and related documentation to be used on an individual basis and in a classroom setting.
• Understand designated software uses and applications in relation to assigned department’s goals and processes; learn and utilize specialized terminology if needed by the specific assignment.
• Assist in planning and evaluating new systems and equipment.
• Provide on-call service during off-hours, evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups, customers, co-workers and supervisors in a respectful, tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate technical issues to individuals with varying degrees of computer familiarity.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information encountered in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  

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.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that 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 gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, 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), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. 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.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

• Week of September 20, 2021 - Minimum Qualifications Screening
• Week of September 27, 2021 - Not Qualified Notices Sent
• Week of October 18, 2021 (Tentative) - Training and Experience Rating Panel
• Week of October 25, 2021 - Establish Eligible List