Business Analyst #W5214

Title: Business Analyst #W5214

State Role Title: Info Technology Specialist II

Hiring Range: $82,000 - $92,000 per year (Salary commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location:DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website:https://www.dss.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency - one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia - partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

The Business Analyst (BA) reports directly to the Business Analysis Office (BAO) Manager and is part of a cross functional team of BAs, IT specialists, and project managers tasked with supporting the agency's business function across multiple Portfolios. The key role of the Business Analyst function is to bridge the gap between IT and the business using data analytics to assess processes, determine requirements and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to executives and stakeholders. BAs engage with business leaders and users to understand how data-driven changes to process, products, services, software and hardware can improve efficiencies and add value. They must articulate those ideas but also balance them against what's technologically feasible and financially and functionally reasonable.

The Business Analyst participates in all activities of the BA function as outlined in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) including but not limited to Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring, Elicitation & Collaboration, Requirements Lifecycle Management, Strategy Analysis, Requirements Analysis & Design Definition, and Solution Evaluation. The BA also participates in and provides support to the Business Analysis Office activities including BA planning activities, development of BA guidelines, procedures, and methodologies, BA resourcing of projects, and selection and use of BA software tools for use across all agency Portfolios. The BA uses the BABOK as outlined by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) to promote, implement, and enforce BA best practices and process improvement across the agency.

This position focuses on:
• IT Business Analysis: Accountable for the day-to-day BA functions as assigned
• Methodology Development: Accountable for supporting the methods IT Business Analysts use to develop business requirements in any given project.
• Stakeholder Communication: Represent the IT Business Analysis function within the broader IT function and within the organization as a whole.
• Ensure that all BA deliverables meet the BAO Office quality standards.
• Support objectives, performance metrics, and standards for the BA function.
• Manage escalated BA-related issues.
• Participate in planning and developing agency-wide IT BA strategies.
• Engage with key business and IT stakeholders to identify changing business priorities and requirements and introduce new processes and technology to enhance the Business area.
• Participate in the development of feasibility studies, cost/benefit analyses, business case development, risk assessments, and functional requirements for various technology projects.
• Support the development of statements of work needed to procure IT systems.
• Serve as an agent of change, using a disciplined approach for introducing and managing change to the agency.

The Business Analyst works closely with the BAO Manager, Division Director, ITS Leadership, and agency staff to support agency goals, objectives, and strategies. The BA also interfaces as needed with the VDSS Commissioner and other members of the agency Executive Team, including the Chief Deputy Commissioner, all Deputy Commissioners, and the Chief of Staff. In addition to these major areas of responsibilities, the BA will support other BA duties as assigned.

Business Analyst will provide director support to EBS, ITS and DSS.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) as outlined by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
• Experience serving as a BA in a Business Analysis Office or with a team of Business Analysts for a large organization
• Leadership experience in leading change, driving results, building coalition, and leading people.
• Strong commitment to customer service and support
• Experience with user acceptance testing

KSA's and/or Competencies required to successfully perform the work:

1. Leading Change - The incumbent is a dedicated change agent and has the inherent ability to support innovation and organizational changes needed to improve the organization's effectiveness, by initiating, sponsoring and implementing them.
2. Technical and Functional Expertise - The incumbent will possess knowledge of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) as outlined by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). This includes the understanding of Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring, Elicitation & Collaboration, Requirements Lifecycle Management, Strategy Analysis, Requirements Analysis & Design Definition, and Solution Evaluation.
3. Build Coalitions and Know the Business - The incumbent recognizes the interests of others in different parts of the organization and establishes alliances to achieve business goals. The incumbent proactively establishes recurring communications with customers using various forums including email, blogs, video conferences, recorded videos, and other means to ensure customers are aware of BA functions and support activities.
4. Drive for Results - With little direction, the incumbent will be extremely proactive in identifying, assessing, detecting, alerting, and resolving BA-related issues as they occur. The incumbent has a "can-do" approach to all matters and takes the initiative to take control and resolve customer issues as they occur. This includes contacting and coordinating with any staff or managers as needed, and immediately escalating issues as appropriate.
5. Customer Service - The BA is dedicated to customer service and has a deep commitment to supporting all customers. The incumbent will be extremely proactive in communicating with all customers in various forums and media, and will follow through in resolving issues. When necessary, the incumbent will escalate concerns to the appropriate management level.
6. Interpersonal Communication - The incumbent has excellent communications skills in a variety of forums including written, verbal, and video communications.
7. Leadership - The incumbent is a leader across the agency and is extremely proficient in leading, mentoring, and training staff on all aspects of service operations. The incumbent organizes tasks, consolidates status reports, independently solves problems, and translates technical data into executive summaries for executive staff
8. Personal Effectiveness - The incumbent is highly effective in leading a variety of work efforts, assigning critical tasks, and balancing competing priorities

Additional Considerations

• Experience using software tools to document user requirements (e.g. Rational Toolset, Jira, Confluence, etc.)
• Certification: Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) and/or Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• Certification: IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation.
• The Business Analyst is well versed in the VDSS mission and various portfolios including Human Services, State Programs, Strategy & Engagement, Administration, and IT Services. The incumbent will also be familiar with the functions of the VDSS Commissioner's Office including Compliance, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, and Public Affairs.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee's Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line "Virginia Jobs" (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching - Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the "Virginia Jobs" (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.