What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Business Systems Analyst position at City of Santa Monica?
Job Summary
NOTE: The current vacancy is in the Public Safety division, which supports the Police and Fire Departments. This recruitment will also be used to fill future vacancies in the Technology Department.
Serves as a lead strategic partner responsible for understanding and meeting business requirements and serving as a project lead, including providing expertise on reactive, proactive and enhancement support services.
SUPERVISION
Works under the administrative supervision of a division manager, or designee, who outlines work, occasionally reviews work in progress, and periodically reviews completed work. Exercises general and technical supervision over professional and clerical staff, as assigned.
Representative Duties
Provides business support and acts as a project lead and technology liaison, supporting business-specific systems.
Leads, trains, coordinates, and reviews the work of staff, including providing technical oversight.
Collects, analyzes, documents, and evaluates business requirements for process and customer experience improvements. Defines end-to-end use cases and user stories.
Participates and oversees development of technology roadmaps based on business objectives.
Establishes and manages relationships and agreements with external service providers.
Designs, implements, tests, and supports business software systems and applications.
Configures, maintains, updates, and evaluates technical applications, as needed.
Oversees and monitors activities that support all system setup, configuration, upgrades, and modifications for business software applications per established standards.
Manages process and system change activities in adherence to all policies and procedures focusing on enhancing system security, reliability, and availability.
Monitors, measures, evaluates and provides feedback on process and system performance.
Analyzes and identifies current business processes for improvement and overall technical requirements.
Prepares Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, and Requests for Quotes; evaluates vendor proposals and reviews vendor invoices.
Evaluates and documents process workflows, system support materials, knowledge articles, and supports self-service capabilities through the ISD Service Portal.
Provides individual or group training on business software applications, policies, and procedures, including development of training and procedural guides for end-users.
Leads and coordinates during major incidents impacting business units. Adheres to major incident management process and escalation requirements. Conducts post-mortem incident reviews and root cause problem identification.
Evaluates and conducts research on emerging information technology products and services to support business needs.
Responds to periodic after-hours calls and emails to address critical systems outages both in-person and via phone.
Performs other duties, as assigned.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Business process and customer experience facilitation techniques, including Lean IT, Voice of the Customer, and Journey Mapping
ITIL and the entire IT Service Delivery lifecycle
Project and program management principles and best practices
Software delivery life cycle methodologies including Agile, SCRUM, and Kanban
Software system configuration, maintenance, administration, analysis, and problem resolution best practices
Ability to:
Lead, train, coordinate, and monitor the work of others
Negotiate contracts and monitor the work of project consultants
Develop Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, and Requests for Quotes.
Become proficient in new technical applications
Document technical information and user procedures
Provide training and instruction on various computer applications
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Conduct research and make recommendations on technology
Develop and author council staff reports
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the general public
Work with people from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches
Provide effective customer service
Skill in:
Project management and implementation of information systems
Software configuration, maintenance, and problem resolution
Strategic planning
Meeting facilitation, public speaking, and presentations.
Data analysis
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Experience: Five years of recent paid work experience implementing large-scale technical systems such as ERP/CRM/SCM/Asset Management/Smart Crime Center or similar systems, maintaining business applications, and automating business processes.
Experience coordinating, training, or providing general supervision to others is desirable.
Experience in the administration of systems serving public agencies is desirable.
License and Certificates:
Industry-recognized Agile process certification (CSM, CSPO, SAFe, LeSS, or equivalent) or PMP certification is desirable.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
Selection Process:
All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applications will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
Testing may consist of a combination of any of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate:
Training and Experience Evaluation - Qualifying
Oral Interview - 100%
If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
Note: Internal staff who submit transfer applications must notify the analyst in charge of the recruitment, via email, upon submission of their transfer application.
Background Investigation:
Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Inclusion & Diversity Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is regularly performed indoors in a home or office environment in accordance with the City’s Telework/Flexible Workplace Policy. Office work requires sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a computer keyboard and screen. The incumbent may be required to work in confined areas. Off-site assignments and irregular work hours are occasionally required. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends. Physical demands may include kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching and grasping.
The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.
Closing Date/Time: 8/28/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
NOTE: The current vacancy is in the Public Safety division, which supports the Police and Fire Departments. This recruitment will also be used to fill future vacancies in the Technology Department.
Serves as a lead strategic partner responsible for understanding and meeting business requirements and serving as a project lead, including providing expertise on reactive, proactive and enhancement support services.
SUPERVISION
Works under the administrative supervision of a division manager, or designee, who outlines work, occasionally reviews work in progress, and periodically reviews completed work. Exercises general and technical supervision over professional and clerical staff, as assigned.
Representative Duties
Provides business support and acts as a project lead and technology liaison, supporting business-specific systems.
Leads, trains, coordinates, and reviews the work of staff, including providing technical oversight.
Collects, analyzes, documents, and evaluates business requirements for process and customer experience improvements. Defines end-to-end use cases and user stories.
Participates and oversees development of technology roadmaps based on business objectives.
Establishes and manages relationships and agreements with external service providers.
Designs, implements, tests, and supports business software systems and applications.
Configures, maintains, updates, and evaluates technical applications, as needed.
Oversees and monitors activities that support all system setup, configuration, upgrades, and modifications for business software applications per established standards.
Manages process and system change activities in adherence to all policies and procedures focusing on enhancing system security, reliability, and availability.
Monitors, measures, evaluates and provides feedback on process and system performance.
Analyzes and identifies current business processes for improvement and overall technical requirements.
Prepares Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, and Requests for Quotes; evaluates vendor proposals and reviews vendor invoices.
Evaluates and documents process workflows, system support materials, knowledge articles, and supports self-service capabilities through the ISD Service Portal.
Provides individual or group training on business software applications, policies, and procedures, including development of training and procedural guides for end-users.
Leads and coordinates during major incidents impacting business units. Adheres to major incident management process and escalation requirements. Conducts post-mortem incident reviews and root cause problem identification.
Evaluates and conducts research on emerging information technology products and services to support business needs.
Responds to periodic after-hours calls and emails to address critical systems outages both in-person and via phone.
Performs other duties, as assigned.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Business process and customer experience facilitation techniques, including Lean IT, Voice of the Customer, and Journey Mapping
ITIL and the entire IT Service Delivery lifecycle
Project and program management principles and best practices
Software delivery life cycle methodologies including Agile, SCRUM, and Kanban
Software system configuration, maintenance, administration, analysis, and problem resolution best practices
Ability to:
Lead, train, coordinate, and monitor the work of others
Negotiate contracts and monitor the work of project consultants
Develop Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information, and Requests for Quotes.
Become proficient in new technical applications
Document technical information and user procedures
Provide training and instruction on various computer applications
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Conduct research and make recommendations on technology
Develop and author council staff reports
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the general public
Work with people from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches
Provide effective customer service
Skill in:
Project management and implementation of information systems
Software configuration, maintenance, and problem resolution
Strategic planning
Meeting facilitation, public speaking, and presentations.
Data analysis
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Experience: Five years of recent paid work experience implementing large-scale technical systems such as ERP/CRM/SCM/Asset Management/Smart Crime Center or similar systems, maintaining business applications, and automating business processes.
Experience coordinating, training, or providing general supervision to others is desirable.
Experience in the administration of systems serving public agencies is desirable.
License and Certificates:
Industry-recognized Agile process certification (CSM, CSPO, SAFe, LeSS, or equivalent) or PMP certification is desirable.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
Selection Process:
All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applications will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
Testing may consist of a combination of any of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate:
Training and Experience Evaluation - Qualifying
Oral Interview - 100%
If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
Note: Internal staff who submit transfer applications must notify the analyst in charge of the recruitment, via email, upon submission of their transfer application.
Background Investigation:
Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Inclusion & Diversity Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is regularly performed indoors in a home or office environment in accordance with the City’s Telework/Flexible Workplace Policy. Office work requires sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a computer keyboard and screen. The incumbent may be required to work in confined areas. Off-site assignments and irregular work hours are occasionally required. May be required to work evenings and/or weekends. Physical demands may include kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching and grasping.
The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.
Closing Date/Time: 8/28/2026 5:30 PM Pacific