Sonoma Water Programmer/Developer
Acting as a technical resource to staff and providing training on specialized areas of expertise, the Sonoma Water Programmer/Developer develops, customizes, and maintains application software, and builds and coordinates the implementation of new or modified applications and systems. As part of the Technical Services team, this position will help modernize antiquated systems and applications and work with internal customers to address and fix issues with Sonoma Water software systems, applications, and data reporting. Additional responsibilities include:
- Consulting with clients to gather information about program needs, objectives, functions, and input and output requirements, and developing prototypes, refining, testing, and debugging programs to meet needs
- Developing and maintaining plans to outline steps and timetables for program development
- Researching and evaluating software and hardware to assist in programming or use as program platforms
- Designing and coding screen layouts, graphical user interfaces, printed outputs, and interfaces with other systems
- Writing and maintaining specifications and documentation to describe program development, logic, coding, testing, changes, corrections, and documentation describing installation and operating procedures
- Monitoring performance of programs after implementation
- Liaising with vendor representatives
The position requires competence in all phases of programming, analysis, database design, and database administration. As such, the ideal candidate will have some experience and/or skill in the following areas:
- Business analysis with the ability to work with business units to understand objectives and needs, and define and document business requirements
- Troubleshooting and fixing complicated systems and applications
- Proven ability to recommend system and process changes to improve data integrity
- Communication and facilitation skills required to effectively collaborate with all levels of staff
- Knowledge of software/system development lifecycle
- Addressing and working on several concurrent projects independently and as part of a team
- MS SQL Server Management Studio; Visual Studio
- ASP; HTML/CSS; MS Access; Python; Web Services
- Programming interface jobs; Application Programming Interfaces; PowerShell
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on assignment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
About Sonoma Water
Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of seven divisions including Engineering and Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Community and Government Affairs, Water/Wastewater Operations, Maintenance, Emergency Management and Security, and Administrative Services. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.
Please note: Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma. The formal title for this position is Human Services Systems and Programming Analyst.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
We are currently recruiting to fill a full-time Sonoma Water Programmer/Developer position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include:
Education: Completion of completion of 24 semester college units or 36 quarter units in computer science or information systems.
Experience: Three years of experience performing both systems analysis/design and programming for business applications, which entailed analysis and design of several systems.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: techniques used for finding and correcting problems in programs and systems; principles and methods of business applications programming; principles and methods used in analysis and application development; principles of systems and procedures analysis and documentation; uses and limitations of applications; programming languages applicable to system in use in operating department; current developments in applications development and database administration; operating capabilities of common hardware configurations; project management methods and techniques; database design, development, administration and management concepts and techniques; data mining, storage, and warehousing methods; state-of-the-art Internet technologies, methods, standards, and issues (e.g., security, privacy, accessibility); Internet services concepts and best practices; Internet services architecture.
Ability to: Define complex problem areas, collect and evaluate data, validate conclusions and make recommendations; develop complex systems for efficient operations; modify and write complex programs for efficient business applications; plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement recommendations; write instructions and procedures and prepare systems and programming documentation; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with users and others contacted in the course of work; prepare clear and concise written reports; identify and take corrective actions to solve problems in programs and production systems; concentrate on many complex elements of a problem; investigate, evaluate, and select tools and methods for improving productivity and software quality; plan and manage the migration of databases to new technologies, such as the migration to client-server or Web-enabled databases; plan and oversee the installation or reinstallation process and coordinate with specialists in other functional areas to resolve connectivity, compatibility, reliability, security, and related issues.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.