SEIU United Service Workers West

INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

The Information Systems Specialist is responsible for providing technical coordination, guidance, and support, for various decision support applications, as well as other acquired and/or Union developed information systems. The Information Systems Specialist must interact well with other information technology staff, other staff throughout the Union, as well as Union members, clients and vendors. The Information Systems Specialist must maintain familiarity with, comply with, and at all times promote, the Union’s policies and its directives related to information systems and technology. The Information Systems Specialist reports to the Chief Financial Officer.

Essential Functions
Oversee the Union’s overall information management systems including database development and management coordination with the administrative, organizing, research and internal departments. Maintain the Master Database, and provide periodic reports and analysis of data. Oversee database management of administrative staff in coordination with the appropriate management staff.

Participate in the development of internal data management plans and activities with personnel of other departments for the purpose of avoiding duplication of efforts, sharing information, and maximizing system efficiency.

Oversee the integration of the Labor Power information system with other systems (e.g. merging data from other sources, adding data fields, populating other databases, etc.) for the purpose of maximizing the efficiency of the data flow and decreasing redundancy of data collection activities.

Perform a full range of system administration functions for the purpose of controlling systems and attaining maximum utilization and efficiency.
Perform routine and special updates to the Labor Power database (e.g. defining additional user defined fields, merging external data, etc.) for the purpose of providing current and reliable data for use by a wide variety of departments within the organization.

Identify issues related to employee and/or financial information systems and software applications for the purpose of responding to user problems and ongoing availability of the Labor Power database application.

Determine staff training needs. Train and instruct the staff on the use of Labor Power for the purpose of ensuring proper and efficient use of the system. Develop user materials for the purpose of providing instruction and reference. Provide instruction on use of other database tools, as well
as general database design techniques for high end users.

Facilitate meetings and workshops for the purpose of communicating information system capabilities and/or accommodating the organization’s goals.

Design report options and/or data extracts for use by individual and/or department users for the purpose of providing information customized to meet specific needs.

May be called upon to support other areas of the union including research, legal, organizing, politics and communications on a temporary or part-time basis.

Other Functions
Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education

Four years prior work experience in Information Systems. Ideally the candidate will have experience in database design and have actual experience writing SQL scripts. Prior experience as an administrator or high end user of a CRM or ERP system desired. Bachelor’s degree in management information science, computer science or a related field is preferred.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and installing and testing system components, patches and upgrades. Must have requisite skills to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.

Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: current generation operating systems and platforms; office software, database and spreadsheet programs; and principles of data normalization, storage and retrieval methods, and network library. Requisite knowledge is required to perform advanced math; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.

Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: being attentive to detail; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; communicating with persons with diverse technical knowledge and skills;
maintaining confidentiality; procedures, laws, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions; and working with frequent interruptions. Must have the ability to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; routinely gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Must have ability to work with a diversity of individuals; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 70% sitting, 20% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

To apply, email a resume with cover letter explaining interest and qualifications. Please email: gabriela.waitman@seiu-usww.org. SEIU is an equal opportunity employer.