Programmer Analyst I

Job Summary

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) | Program Delivery group is seeking a Programmer Analyst I to join our team.

The Programmer Analyst I designs, develops, tests, implements, documents, maintains, and supports computer application for existing complex or campus wide computer systems. The incumbent will work collaboratively with other Automation team members.

Working closely with analysts, technical leads, managers, developers, and architects from UBC IT and the broader IT community, the incumbent contributes to technical solutions, including front-end development, platform configuration, integrations, APIs, databases, testing, and documentation as required to satisfy the ongoing solution needs of the University.

This is a hands-on delivery role within a multi-disciplinary technical and business team.

Organizational Status

The Programmer Analyst I works within the Automation Solution Delivery team that consists of analysts, developers, functional experts, and other project specialists, and reports directly to the Senior Manager.

Work Performed

Specific Duties:

• Work with team leads to create software applications.
• Participate in the software development process from conception to deployment.
• Performs the analysis, writing, building, and deployment of software.
• Participate in automated testing and provide feedback during the development process.
• Troubleshoot and triage post production issues found in code, configuration, or integrations.
• Modify and test changes to previously developed programs.
• Develop approved designs, mock-ups, and wireframes into front-end code or platform configurations.
• Develop or configure functional databases, applications, services, and integrations to support solutions on the back end under guidance.
• Assist in the development and design of RESTful services and APIs.
• Stay abreast of developments in web applications, business process technologies, rule engines, and programming languages.
• Stay current on software approaches, architectures, tools, and vendors relevant to assigned work.
• Write technical documentation.
• Ensure that non-functional requirements such as security, performance, maintainability, scalability, usability, and reliability are considered when developing solutions.
• Keep job knowledge up-to-date by studying new development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal and professional networks; and participating in professional organizations.

Core Duties:

• Designs, develops, configures, and programs custom software and application modules; assists in defining detailed application specifications, standards, diagrams, and coding logic flowcharts.
• Assists with overall systems design and supports the research and evaluation of vendor supplied applications, and contributes to implementation activities as required.
• Analyzes and reviews existing or proposed system features and integration, security, scalability, and performance requirements with clients, business analysts, and team members.
• Participates in new-build work and enhancement work under supervision.
• Packages in house developed applications for production or assists with integrating vendor supplied applications.
• Provides technical support and consultation to other staff as appropriate within assigned work.
• Documents business processes whenever needed.
• Develops or modifies software application design elements and specific modules.
• Conducts testing of new or customized application modules to ensure application meets specifications.
• Documents functions and changes to new or modified modules, test activities and results, error handling, and backup/recovery procedures.
• Provides ongoing maintenance and operational support for applications.
• Supports software development lifecycle activities and applies and follows appropriate programming and development methodologies and best practices.
• Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Effective coding within the Automation team is essential for the delivery of UBC IT services to the departments and faculties. Decisions and actions taken by the Programmer Analyst I will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively UBC applications perform and function.

Failure to meet coding and support obligations in the Automation portfolio could adversely impact the University community, including students, faculty, and staff, and could result in lost productivity, service disruption, rework, and reputational impact to UBC and UBC IT.

Supervision Received

The Programmer Analyst I works under the general direction of the Senior Manager, with considerable latitude in carrying out assigned responsibilities. Work is reviewed in terms of the achievement of specific project objectives.

Supervision Given

This position does not have formal supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

A degree in Computer Science is preferred. Demonstrates ongoing career development through active and self-motivated professional development. Experience in designing, developing, implementing, or supporting enterprise software applications and integrations is an asset.

Technical Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to learn and work with enterprise application development tools, business process engines, and related technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with business process management and automation solutions such as Appian and RPA is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or experience working with enterprise application integration tools such as ETLs, ESBs, APIs, or related technologies is an asset.
• General knowledge and/or experience of standard industry methodologies for enterprise application delivery and support.
• Very good oral and technical written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of programming, scripting, or markup languages such as Java, Groovy, Python, Perl, HTML, XML, and JSON is an asset.
• Basic working knowledge of SOAP/REST concepts and technologies such as XSD, XSLT, XPath, WSDL, SOAP APIs, JSON Schema, RAML/Swagger, RESTful APIs, and OAuth2 is preferred.
• Basic understanding of enterprise application and integration patterns, including message-oriented integrations and API-based integration approaches, is an asset.
• Basic understanding and experience with front end and back end development methodologies, as well as data modeling, data mapping, data structures, and data integration concepts including SOA, ETLs, ESBs, MOMs, EAI, enterprise integration patterns, and SQL/DDL/DML.
• Experience using standard development IDEs and related tools for software development.
• Basic understanding and practical experience with object oriented analysis and design concepts, design techniques and patterns, UML concepts, ORM frameworks, web application frameworks, and software development methodologies and tools such as build management, code repositories, version control, continuous integration, continuous deployment, test-driven design, and behavior-driven design.
• Basic project coordination skills including a working knowledge of SDLC methodologies, preferably Agile methodologies such as Lean, XP, or Scrum.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills demonstrated through troubleshooting technical problems and supporting solution delivery.

Top Skills

• Experience in designing, developing, implementing, or supporting software applications and integrations.
• Basic understanding and experience with front end and back end development methodologies, as well as data modeling, data mapping, data structures, and data integration concepts.
• Basic working knowledge of enterprise application and integration patterns, including API-based and message-oriented integration approaches.

Core Competencies

Collaboration - Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members by supporting positive group process and contributing to the achievement of team goals. Works effectively with others within and beyond organizational boundaries and shares information, lessons learned, and credit for team accomplishments.

Communication for Results - Communicates with colleagues and peer groups in ways that support problem solving and planning. Seeks clarification, tests understanding, and shares information clearly and respectfully in both oral and written form.

Problem Solving - Uses structured problem-solving tools and techniques to diagnose issues, identify contributing factors, and support the development of practical solutions. Recognizes when to escalate more complex issues and considers risks and consequences in making recommendations.

Role Based Competencies

Accountability - Takes responsibility for assigned work, follows through on commitments, monitors progress against expectations, and raises issues appropriately to support the achievement of team objectives and service standards.

Business Process Knowledge - Understands and documents assigned business process flows and applies business process improvement methods when analyzing work, identifying issues, and recommending practical enhancements.

Information Systems Knowledge - Understands how technical support requirements align with enterprise processes and strategies. Contributes to information system solutions that meet business needs and works with technical consultants, experts, and managers to resolve issues across supported IT solutions.