WIC IT Business Analyst

Job Description:
*% telework option available. Must work in Texas.*
Looking for a highly motivated individual who will be an integral part of moving the Texas WIC program towards new technology and systems. Performs advanced (senior-level) business analysis work for the WIC program. This individual routinely interacts with contract and IT staff, project managers, and program specialists to develop and write advanced planning documents that align with federal and state regulations, agency information technology directives, plans, goals, and contract requirements. Responsible for documenting, tracking, and reporting on IT system budgets. Serves as liaison between IT and program staff and acts as subject matter expert on federal, state and agency requirements for planning and implementing major IT projects and systems. Supports business systems related to Texas WIC which require new functionality, functional enhancement, and application-level maintenance. Knowledge of the interworking steps and processes related to business system design is expected, including knowledge of contracting and financial management processes. This individual may also plan, assign and review the work of others. Provides support for large, complex, IT contracts. Provides quality customer service to external and internal customers by prompt responses to inquiries, taking the initiative to solve problems, exercising flexibility, and seek improvements in the advanced planning and business processes. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
This position is classified as a full-time position (40 hours a week). Work outside of regular hours may be required.
Essential Job Functions:
EJF 1 - Participates in and oversees the development of state and federal advanced planning documents and project updates for the WIC major IT systems. Coordinates with IT staff, project managers, program subject matter experts and agency partners to prepare required planning documents. Reviews and provides input on complex project deliverables such as charters, design documents, and risk assessments. Acts as a liaison between technical and non-technical staff. Provides input on the creation of project budgets and is responsible for tracking and reporting on MIS project budgets to the appropriate approvers. Acts as WIC subject matter expert on federal and state approval requirements for major MIS systems, such as the FNS Handbook , the Texas Department of Information Resources Project Delivery Framework, and federal and state purchasing requirements. Seeks and ensures United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval of all required project documentation. Participates in planning workgroups for solicitation development as needed. Ensures accuracy of information submitted on USDA required Advanced Planning Documents (APDs) and supports monitoring and reporting of associated deliverables and budgets. Identifies opportunities to improve business processes and helps prepare proposals to develop new systems. Participates in workgroups related to project and contract management functions to improve upon management practices. Coordinates with stakeholders to ensure all required Department of Information Resources business case documentation, acquisition plans, and capital requests fully support planned, in-process and completed WIC IT development. (30%)

EJF 2 Collaborates with State and Vendor Information Technology in the design of/creation of databases, implementation of database strategies, and overall database architecture for WIC functional projects that support internal and external processes, related to contract and financial management processes; gathers, analyzes and documents user requirements, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and documents business needs for new systems. Manages work plans, schedules, daily project tasking as well as overall system design. Develops and reviews complex system documents to convey business requirements and support efficient system design. Performs senior level business analysis of applications and/or systems in considering customer requirements, changes in systems requirements, software releases, equipment and architectural configurations, and relationships /dependencies between systems (i.e. analyzing federal and state regulations regarding automation), researching technical solutions and performing needs assessment for Texas WIC solutions. May use Tableau, Power BI, and other business intelligence or data visualization software. (30%)
EJF 3 - Assists with the operations and activities of monitoring contract performance, including developing and tracking key metrics and project deliverables for two to three $ million dollar IT contracts. Assists with the development of short- and long-term strategies and goals for the administration of contracts, including identifying when capital authority and other federal approval documents are needed. Coordinates with IT, budget, WIC, and other stakeholders as necessary for approvals for contract objectives. Assists with the processing of contract documents to ensure that management understands and authorizes contract terms and works with legal services and the vendor to make modifications, as needed. Provides quality customer service by responding to all inquiries and requests promptly. Coordinates with stakeholders to develop solutions to complex system development and technical questions and requests. (20%)

EJF 3 – Provides guidance, communicates and explains processes to interested groups and team members. Performs negotiations, resolves conflicts, prepares presentations, and communicates technical information to all areas of management, customers, and technical and non-technical staff. Participates in IT budget meetings to ensure continuous coordination. Provides quality assurance-related consultation to users and/or provides oversight of projects, assignments, or special initiatives. Initiates quality control reviews of other complex project deliverables such as response documents, statements of work, project charters, project management plans, governance charters, and risk management plans with providing comments as requested. Provide feedback to program and agency leadership, reporting the status of current projects, new and future projects, and to highlight opportunities for cross-divisional collaboration. (15%)

EJF 4 - Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of facilitation techniques in discussing requirements
Knowledge of effective management principles
Knowledge of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Methods
Knowledge of process improvement methods
Knowledge of principles and practices of project management
Knowledge of local, state and federal statutes and regulations relating to federal grant programs.

Skilled in eliciting business and technical requirements
Skilled in communicating complex design and technical issues, as well as writing business cases and planning documents
Skilled in effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills
Skilled in gathering input, formulating a plan, and carrying it to fruition
Skilled in providing exceptional follow-through and customer-service

Ability to analyze systems, processes, and procedures
Ability to write and revise standards and procedures
Ability to explain abstract concepts in concrete terms to a variety of audiences, including technical, non-technical and executive personnel
Ability to bring about consensus on contradicting views
Ability to manage ambiguous and continuously evolving business needs

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