Business Analyst, IT

Schedule

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of three (3) days in-office based out of our West Sacramento office and two (2) days working remotely.

Summary

Under the general direction of the Chief Technology Officer, the Business Analyst supports significant technology programs for the California School Boards Association (CSBA) and its members. This position contributes to the delivery of technical solutions to business needs by defining, analyzing, prioritizing, and documenting business requirements, while clearly communicating recommendations and outcomes to leadership, vendors, and staff. This position researches and analyzes issues related to program subject matter with a complex understanding of data analysis, software development and lifecycles, business analysis, requirements management, and strategic planning for the organization. The Business Analyst engages cross-functional project teams and prioritizes tasks to ensure delivery of high-quality, robust solutions on time and within scope. This position performs related work as required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Business Analysis & Requirements Management

• Systematically elicit, document, analyze, and prioritize stakeholder business needs to inform technology solutions, process improvement, and data-driven insights.
• Dissect complex problems, identify pain points, and translate into actionable specifications.
• Lead interviews, workshops, surveys, and research to ensure comprehensive understanding of business needs.
• Create functional specifications, user stories, system workflows, and documentation to guide solution development and implementation.
• Represent the voice of the stakeholder in technology solutions, advocating for quality outcomes and mutual success.

Data Analysis & Process Improvement

• Utilize analytical tools and techniques to interpret complex datasets to uncover patterns, trends, and opportunities.
• Create reports, dashboards, and visualizations to communicate findings effectively.
• Map and evaluate existing business processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, redundancies, and areas for optimization.
• Develop strategies and solutions to streamline workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate measurable improvements in efficiency and productivity resulting from implemented solutions.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trust and strengthen collaboration between Information Technology and stakeholders through active engagement and clear communication.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to design, document, and deliver solutions aligned with business needs.
• Model clear, consistent, and effective communication to ensure alignment on goals, requirements, timelines, and deliverables.
• Enhance department reputation with stakeholders through demonstrated value.

Project Support & Solution Delivery

• Partner with project management resources to support project processes (scoping, planning, implementation, post-launch support, resource allocation, constraint management).
• Allocate and effectively manage human, financial, information, and physical resources to optimize project performance.
• Contribute to timely delivery of successful project outcomes within defined constraints.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and proactively address issues to mitigate potential delays or setbacks.
• Guide teams through transitions involving new technology, process changes, or organizational shifts.
• Facilitate testing and validation of solutions to ensure they meet business requirements and quality standards.
• Collaborate with testing teams to develop test cases, execute testing procedures, and validate results.

Strategic & Organizational Support

• Contribute to association and departmental strategic plans and objectives through subject matter expertise.
• Maintain awareness of trends, innovations, regulations, legislative issues, and education policy impacting CSBA.
• Uphold and model CSBA’s vision, mission, values, policies, and practices.

Other Responsibilities

• Occasional overnight travel required.
• Limited vacation during peak periods.
• Work occasionally on evenings and weekends may be required.
• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher with major coursework in education leadership, business administration, computer science or related field or equivalent education and/or experience and three (3) to five (5) years of experience in business analysis, information technology, education policy research and analysis, and project management.

Knowledge of

• Principles and best practices of large-scale technology-based business analysis, requirements management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Software development lifecycle methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall.
• Software tools supporting large-scale software development initiatives, including requirements management, DevOps, and project tracking.
• Qualitative and quantitative research, analytical, and statistical methods.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• School board, School District, and County Office of Education organization and operations.
• California’s Education System and overall Education Policy.
• Federal, state, and local government organizations and operations.

Ability to

• Elicit, analyze, and synthesize complex ideas and concepts into structured specifications of business needs.
• Manage scope and priority, capturing all ideas but ensuring the most critical are addressed first.
• Prioritize multiple projects and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment to achieve individual and team goals.
• Successfully and creatively address conflict, keeping all parties engaged and invested in the outcome.
• Facilitate and engage large teams consisting of various roles and skill sets.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate effective meetings and stakeholder engagement, encouraging open discussion and mutual understanding.
• Represent the voice of the customer in a technology solution, demanding quality business outcomes and ensuring mutual success.
• Communicate and document task status and key decisions clearly to appropriate stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Research, analyze, and write clear, high-quality reports.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, initiative, tact, respect, and integrity in all interactions.
• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Competent English grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation and style.
• Promote CSBA’s values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, accountability, innovation and respect.

Environmental Elements & Physical Demands

• Occasional work in the evenings and weekends may be required.
• Must be able to lift, carry and move materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to sit at a computer for extended periods and stay engaged in presentations.
• Employees are personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines, instructions and policies.

Why Join CSBA?

• Play a key role in leading large-scale technology initiatives that support CSBA’s mission and enhance services for California’s TK–12 education system.
• Work in a collaborative and mission-driven environment dedicated to advancing public education.
• Receive a competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are an experienced technology project management professional looking for an opportunity to lead meaningful, high-impact initiatives, we encourage you to apply!

Benefits

At CSBA, we proudly offer competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and dependent children, insurances and California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), and more.