Programmer Analyst

Job Summary

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) | Program Delivery group is seeking a Programmer Analyst with expertise in Appian and RPA to join our team.

The Programmer Analyst designs computer application solutions for existing complex or campus wide computer systems. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the other Automation team members.

The incumbent plays an important role in all aspects of the planning, implementation and operation of an enterprise-scale business and robotic process management solutions for the University of British Columbia that transforms the processes and systems by which business processes are managed and how the data is exchanged between major and minor systems at the university.

Working closely with analysts, technical leads, managers and developers from IRP – Student and 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 other Programmer Analysts and Architects, will develop technical solutions, including aspects of the complete development stack including front end development, database, API’s, as necessary, to satisfy the ongoing solution 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 Programmer Analyst 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 solutions

Responsible for software development process from conception to deployment

Responsible for analysis, writing, building, and deployment of software

Responsible for automated testing and provide feedback to management during the development process

Troubleshoot and triage post production issues found in code.

Modify and test changes to previously developed programs

Develop visually appealing solutions including architecture, designer mock-ups and wireframes into front-end code

Develop functional databases, applications, and servers to support solutions on the back end

Develop and design RESTful services and APIs

Stay abreast of developments in web applications, 4GL BPME, rule engines and programming languages

Stay current and provide insight on cutting edge software approaches, architectures, and vendors

Responsible for writing of technical documentation.

Ensure that non-functional requirements such as security, performance, maintainability, scalability, usability, and reliability are being considered when developing solutions.

Keep job knowledge up-to-date by studying new development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment; including but not limited to Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP); participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal and professional networks; participating in professional organizations.

Core Duties :

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.

Documents business processes whenever needed.

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

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 will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively UBC Applications will perform and function.

Failure to meet coding obligations in the Automation portfolio could adversely impact the University community, including the large majority of students, faculty and staff, and could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, funding and revenue. It will also damage the reputation of UBC and UBC IT.

Supervision Received

The Programmer Analyst II, works under the general direction of the Senior Manager – Automation Solution.

Supervision Given

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

In a project leader role, the Programmer Analyst may direct and supervises work of other Programmer Analysts, Business Analysts, QAs, users and other staff assigned to projects.

May provide input / recommendations into the hiring and evaluation of staff.

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

A degree in Computer Science is preferred.

Demonstrates ongoing career development through active and self-motivated professional development.

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.

Technical Skills :

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with Enterprise Application Development tools Java, 4GL, business process engines, etc. implementing Enterprise Application Development Patterns.

Demonstrated knowledge of business process management solutions like Appian and RPA.

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 application and integration patterns include message-oriented integrations that leverage technologies such as ActiveMQ, JMS and STOMP.

Good understanding and experience with front end and backend development methodologies.as well as 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 standard 3GL and 4GL IDE’s for development.

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; behavior-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.

Top Skills :

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 API's.

Good understanding and experience with front end and backend development methodologies.as well as 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.

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

Core Competencies

Collaboration - Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of the group process that impedes, or could impede, the group from reaching its goal. Engages the right people within and beyond organizational boundaries, by matching individual capabilities and skills to the team's goals. Works with a wide range of teams and readily shares lessons learned and credit for team accomplishments.

Communication for Results - Converses with, writes reports for, and creates / delivers presentations to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support problem solving and planning. Seeks a consensus with business partners. Debates opinions, tests understanding, and clarifies judgments. Brings conflict into the open empathetically. Explains the context of multiple interrelated situations, asks searching, probing questions, and solicits expert advice prior to taking action and making recommendations.

Problem Solving - Diagnoses problems using formal problem-solving tools and techniques from multiple angles and probes underlying issues to generate multiple potential solutions. Proactively anticipates and prevents problems. Devises, facilitates buy-in, makes recommendations, and guides implementation of corrective and / or preventive actions for complex issues that cross organizational boundaries and are unclear in nature. Identifies potential consequences and risk levels. Seeks support and buy-in for problem definition, methods of resolution, and accountability.

Role Based Competencies

Accountability - Sets enhanced objectives for self and others. Monitors performance trends and identifies opportunities to improve standards. Provides regular feedback and suggests alternative approaches necessary to ensure that organizational objectives and superior standards are achieved. Delegates responsibility and reallocates resources as needed to ensure that priorities are met for initiatives within area of responsibility.

Business Process Knowledge - Describes and documents critical cross-functional business process flows. Applies business process reengineering techniques and methods in analyzing process flow and accountability charts. Recommends and advocates substantive process enhancements and assesses both internal and external implications.

Information Systems Knowledge - Identifies means of integrating technical support requirements with enterprise processes and strategies. Identifies technological opportunities to meet client needs. Creates information system solutions to meet the needs of business stakeholders. Partners with appropriate technical consultants, experts, and managers to resolves complex problems across all IT solutions.