Programmer Systems Analyst II

Job Summary

The Programmer Systems Analyst II designs and builds computer application solutions for existing complex or campus wide computer systems within the Enterprise Automation and Service Delivery (EASD) portfolio. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the Senior Programmer Analysts.

The incumbent plays an important role in all aspects of the planning, implementation and operation of an enterprise-scale data integration solution for the University of British Columbia that transforms the processes and systems by which data is exchanged between major and minor systems at the university.

Working closely with analysts, technical leads, managers and developers from UBC IT, from the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) program and sustainment teams, and from the broader IT community, the incumbent, working in concert with the Senior Programmer Analysts, will develop data integration solutions, including aspects of the UBC Application Programming Interface (API), as necessary, to satisfy the ongoing data integration needs of the University and of the University's major ERP programs.

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

Organizational Status

The EASD is a unit within the UBC Information Technology department responsible for linking all systems and data at UBC to enable the University, faculty, researchers, staff, students and partners to have access to properly governed data through well-documented UBC APIs and other appropriate toolsets.

The EASD is responsible for the selection, acquisition or development, deployment, and operation of the suite of applications related to enterprise integrations. The EASD works closely with core UBC IT and IT Enabled project teams to ensure that all releases to production of integrations and supporting toolsets are of the required quality.

Services are delivered through the use of Information Technology best practices and customer focused processes to enable stakeholders to achieve UBC objectives.

In particular, the incumbent will work with other Programmer Analysts, Business Analysts and Quality Assurance Analysts to ensure the highest quality of solution delivery.

Additionally, the incumbent will interact directly with third party vendors, other University technology professionals and with faculty, staff and students.

Work Performed

Specific Duties

Contributes to the UBC API strategy and promotes adoption throughout the organization.

Works with Senior Programmer Analysts to investigate, analyze, estimate, design, develop, test, document, and implement UBC APIs and API-centric integrations.

Develops robust, highly disciplined and maintainable data integration applications; builds APIs, System Adapters, Message Flows and Compositions.

Serves as a data integration consultant for integration partners and proposes solutions for integrations requirements. Provides advice to and consults with stakeholders on complex system design issues and provides technical opinions on the viability or suitability of techniques and methodology to meet integration objectives and goals.

Develops proofs-of-concept and prototypes to illustrate potential solutions to technical and functional problems.

Implements customized tools and applications and prepares functional specifications and builds proof-of-concept test environments. Develops technical specifications for system development, testing and conversion processes, within established UBC IT's technical architecture.

Prepares training plans, training materials, and trains staff as required during system implementation. May provide configuration and implementation training for subsequent releases of third-party applications.

Contributes to designing detailed integration strategies, approaches, and plans under the guidance of Senior Programmer Analysts.

Contributes and adheres to standards, structures, and techniques for data integrations.

Creates technical design documents to communicate solutions.

Facilitates and conducts design and code reviews for other Programmer Analysts to ensure efficiency and adherence to development standards.

Contributes to the development of integration specifications.

Builds and maintains working relationships and collaborates with others to achieve objectives.

Conducts Requirements Workshops to solicit business requirements and work with various technical teams to document technical requirements and detailed solution design.

Create and maintain test cases from business and technical requirements.

Works with different teams to conduct various types of QA activities to drive a successful project delivery.

Core Duties

Prepares all necessary application support processes and documentation.

Designs, develops and programs custom software, defines detailed application specifications, standards, and diagrams and develops coding logic flowcharts.

Develops overall systems design, researches and evaluates vendor supplied applications, provides customize or develop recommendations, and implements accordingly.

Analyzes and reviews existing or proposed system features and integration, security, scalability and performance requirements with clients, business analysts, and team members.

Manages small to medium sized projects and related budgets.

Packages in house developed applications for production or integrates vendor supplied applications.

Provides technical expertise, training, and consultation to other staff.

Develops or modifies software application design 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, tests activities / results, error handling and backup / recovery procedures.

Provides ongoing maintenance and operational support for applications.

Supports software development lifecycle and applies and follows appropriate programming / 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

Information Technology plays a key role in enabling the University to achieve its goals of becoming one of the world's leading post-secondary institutions. The incumbent plays a significant role in the implementation of enterprise-wide systems and processes. Should these projects not be completed successfully or the results not support the activities of the University, this could compromise the University's ability to achieve its strategic goals and vision. Inability of systems and processes to support the University's needs could seriously compromise daily business activities.

The incumbent takes an active, participatory role in ensuring the reliability and availability of UBC mission critical 24x7x365 systems including application monitoring, tier 2 support, problem analysis and resolution, and ensuring services meet or exceed customer service levels at all times. Errors in judgment, poor planning, or failure to act decisively could have a detrimental effect on these systems. Unreliable systems and code errors that disrupt the reliable operations of these system will damage the reputation of the University.

Supervision Received

Works autonomously in accordance with general instructions as to methods and procedures. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of desired results.

Reports to the Associate Director, Program Delivery for daily project-based activities and tasks, and may work under the direction of a Senior Programmer Analyst for specific project tasks. Results are reviewed by the Associate Director, Program Delivery for achievement of overall project and long-term career objectives.

Supervision Given

May provide guidance, coaching and technical leadership to, and provide feedback on performance of less experienced Programmer Analysts.

The Programmer Analyst II may direct and coordinate the work of other Programmer Analysts, Business Analysts, QA Analysts, users and other staff assigned to projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. In-depth knowledge of applications and the business requirements supporting them. Minimum of five 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

Experience in designing, developing and implementing medium to large scale software applications and integrations, primarily using Java or Java-based tools to implement SOAP-based web services or RESTful APIs an asset.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with Enterprise Application Integration tools (ETLs, ESBs, etc.) implementing Enterprise Integration Patterns.

General knowledge and / or experience of standard industry methodologies for large COTS implementation programs.

Very good oral and technical written communication skills.

Very good working knowledge of programming / scripting / markup languages such as Java, Groovy, Python, Perl, HTML, XML, JSON, etc.

Strong working knowledge of SOAP / REST concepts and technologies : XSD, XSLT, XPATH, WSDL, SOAP APIs, WS-

Strong working knowledge of enterprise integration patterns include message-oriented integrations that leverage technologies such as ActiveMQ, JMS and STOMP.

Good understanding and experience with data modeling, data mapping, data structures, and data integration including the following concepts and technologies : SOA, ETLs, ESBs, MOMs, EAI, enterprise integration patterns, SQL / DDL / DML.

Experience using ESB, ETL and RDMBS tools such as Oracle Data Integration Suite, MuleSoft AnyPoint Studio and ESB; Pentaho Data Integration Suite; Talend Data Integration Suite; Oracle RDBMS; MS SQL Server; and / or MySQL.

Good understanding and practical experience with many of the following : Object Oriented Analysis and Design concepts, design techniques and patterns; UML concepts; ORM frameworks; web application frameworks; software development methodologies and tools (e.g., build management, code repositories, version control, continuous integration and continuous deployment); test-driven design; behaviour-driven design.

Good project management skills including a working knowledge of SDLC methodologies, preferably Agile methodologies (e.g., Lean, XP or Scrum).

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills demonstrated through troubleshooting complex technical problems.

Strong working knowledge of Full Stack development with expertise in Java, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, HTML, CSS, JSON, and ZK Framework.

Demonstrated working knowledge of source code management tools and best practices.

Very good understanding and experience with QA methodologies, especially for Full Stack development.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience of database optimization and best practices.

Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms such as Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Searching and Sorting algorithms.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Service Now and Atlassian APIs.

Proven experience leading Requirements Workshops and documenting business as well as technical requirements.

Strong working knowledge of creating and maintaining UML and data flow diagrams.

General knowledge of Change Management approaches and best practices.

Practical experience with key components for AI systems including AI orchestration, AI agents, RAG, A2A, MCP, tool calling, model training / fine-tuning.

Good understanding and experience with AI governance including accountability, transparency, fairness, privacy and security.

Hands-on experience building AI-enabled integrations using LLMs for search, summarization, and automated decision workflows.

Competency Proficiency :

Collaboration (Intermediate - I) :

Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish specific objectives targeted at defined business outcomes. Openly encourages other team members to voice their ideas and concerns. Shows respect for differences and diversity, and disagrees without personalizing issues. Utilizes strengths of team members to achieve optimal performance.

Communicating for Results (Intermediate - I) :

Conducts discussions with and writes memoranda to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support troubleshooting and problem solving. Seeks and shares relevant information, opinions, and judgments. Handles conflict empathetically. Explains the context of interrelated situations, asks probing questions, and solicits multiple sources of advice prior to taking action when appropriate.

Problem Solving (Intermediate - I) :

Applies problem-solving methodologies and tools to diagnose and solve operational and interpersonal problems. Determines the potential causes of the problem and devises testing methodologies for validation. Shows empathy and objectivity toward individuals involved in the issue. Analyzes multiple alternatives, risks, and benefits for a range of potential solutions. Recommends resource requirements and collaborates with impacted stakeholders.

Accountability (Intermediate - I) :

Sets objectives that meet organizational needs. Provides recommendations to individuals and teams on ways to improve performance and meet defined objectives. Monitors and provides feedback on individual and team performance against defined standards.

Business Process Knowledge (Intermediate - I) :

Maps full business processes and designs operational process flow. Facilitates group input and drafts proposals for process improvements. Identifies resource implications. Implements process improvement recommendations within the context of overall business processes.

Information Systems Knowledge (Intermediate - I) :

Resolves escalated problems of technical support. Identifies root causes. Sets up and integrates new and enhanced information systems. Identifies customer needs and determines the appropriate approach to apply and ensure resolution. Solicits the input of appropriate technical experts and managers as required.