PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Salary : $120,336.00 Annually

Location : CA 92395, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 2024-444 PRSWENG02

Division : Administrative Services

Department : Management Information Systems

Opening Date : 10 / 17 / 2024

Closing Date : 11 / 14 / 2024 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Basic Functions

FIRST DATE OF REVIEW IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 14, 2024

THE PO SITION IS ASSIGNED TO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT

THIS POSITION IS A FULL-TIME, (12) MONTH, $120,336.00 ANNUALLY (RANGE 49 OF THE CLASSIFIED SALARY SCHEDULE).

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) POSITION STATUS : NON-EXEMPT

The current hours of this position are Monday through Friday 8 : 30 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m., with some possible evenings and weekends.

Hours of employment are subject to change based on student or departmental needs.

DEFINITION

• Under general direction, provides thought leadership and operational support to the District's information systems, recommends business solutions, and serves as a liaison between departmental users, information technology staff, and third-party vendors;
• designs, develops, implements, and maintains software and ensures successful integration with existing systems and applications;
• monitors systems to ensure performance and reliability standards are met; serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert providing recommendations, support, and training to information technology staff and District users in areas of expertise;

and performs related duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional guidance and provides mentoring to, assigned staff.

Exercises no direct supervision over staff, but reviews work products and suggests ways to improve code / queries / solution design whenever possible.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Principal Software Engineer is responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the programming staff. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment, and advanced programming techniques.

Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to ensure high quality work is completed. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments.

Planned work is typically reviewed by one's peers and managers for soundness of approach, solution design, appropriateness, and conformity to sound architecture and applicable adherence to policy and requirements.

Representative Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees with verified medical conditions can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides thought leadership and operational support to the District's information systems, recommends business solutions, and serves as a liaison between departmental users, information technology staff, and third-party vendors.
• Performs complex and analytical work of a specialized nature in support of assigned technology programs.
• Uses multiple devices to monitor systems evaluating reliability, conformance to performance metrics, and overall availability;

implements, tests, and evaluates the effectiveness of solutions; develops and implements related protocols, policies, procedures, and operating standards.

Coordinates and mentors / trains other information technology staff to implement application design specifications and coordinate integration across multiple platforms and technologies;

maintains effective communications with users regarding vendor activities, problems, status, timelines, and other details.

Gathers user requirements; analyzes and documents current department practices and procedures to clearly describe processes, and to determine the technical, political, and economic feasibility of providing automated solutions to manual business processes;

provides input and recommendations regarding current and proposed business practices and the options for translating such practices into effective system deployments across multiple platforms.

• Designs and develops computer programs using various computer languages and database platforms; writes programming code and scripts, reviews and deploys custom code and software, and maintains both software and systems for the District.
• Designs, develops, and creates database structures; develops and implements data migration / conversion techniques for systems conversions and / or upgrades;
• designs systems / database interfaces; develops standards and strategies to maintain database availability, reliability, and security;

makes and implements recommendations for current and future data storage requirements.

• Maintain accuracy and integrity of data for meeting mandated reporting requirements; document applicable procedures and collaborate with others to ensure any problems are diagnosed and corrected.
• Identifies system deficiencies or additional resource requirements; develops and implements modified or enhanced systems to increase their efficiency, reliability, and availability;

implements, tests, and evaluates the effectiveness of solutions.

Designs and executes application and quality assurance testing plans to validate functionality; tests, troubleshoots, and de-bugs programs using appropriate technology tools;

resolves programming issues; refines data and formats final products.

Conducts group and / or one-on-one training sessions with application users and / or technology staff to provide information on application functions;

designs and prepares training materials.

• Conducts research and stays current on new trends and innovative solutions for technology programs; recommends new technologies which would improve the District's operational effectiveness or services to business and instructional departments.
• Serves as project leader on assigned projects, coordinating and inspecting the work of professional and technical staff;
• determines project requirements, business needs, purpose or justification; identifies stakeholders, and functional area participation;
• refines project requirements, scope, objectives, deliverables, acceptance criteria, constraints, assumptions, and alternative solutions;

estimates resource costs and overall project budget; identifies project staff roles and responsibilities; determines stakeholder information and communication plans.

• Serves as a knowledge expert for at least three core systems for the District, and maintains business and technical expertise in all aspects of that system.
• Serves as an escalation point for system administrators and analysts, and for Database Administrators
• Enforces industrial security best practices to harden systems and secure data.
• Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; prepares training materials and conducts formal and informal training programs;

and advises on best practices.

• Provides work direction to lower-level staff on a project basis.
• Works productively and cooperatively with others by demonstrating respect, patience, and equitable treatment of all internal and external customers.
• Observes and complies with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience :

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Education :

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science, information technology, or a related field.

Experience :

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience providing highly complex technical support to information systems in assigned program area.

Licenses and Certifications :

None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen;

and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.

Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and / or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

Employees may interact with upset staff and / or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Knowledge and Abilities

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

• Operations, services, and activities of integrated information technology systems.
• Methods and techniques of evaluating business need requirements to provide technology solutions.
• Principles, methods, and techniques used in designing, developing, testing, and implementing information technology applications.
• Server based operating systems and desktop software applications including system standards, and protocols.
• Principles and techniques of systems planning and programming.
• Concepts and specifics of database management information systems and technology.
• Principles and practices of technology system security.
• Principles and practices of database design, development, administration and management.
• Methods and techniques of system and application integration.
• Principles and practices of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
• Implementation of API servers including security hardening.
• Multiple programming languages used in District technology programs.
• Computer hardware and software systems similar to those being used by the District, including business applications, operating systems, and network systems.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of troubleshooting, diagnosing, and resolving hardware and software, and network / telecommunication system issues.
• Project planning, prioritizing and scheduling techniques.
• Research techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Technical report writing practices and procedures.
• Principles and procedures of record-keeping and reporting.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques of providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with students, staff, faculty, representatives of outside organizations, and members of the public, including individuals of diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, physical ability, and sexual orientation.
• The structure and content of the English language to effectively perform the work.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to :

• Provide professional support to a diverse range of technology systems, hardware, and software.
• Analyze complex user problems, evaluate alternatives, and devise efficient, cost-effective, user-friendly solutions.
• Lead the design, development, testing, and implementation of new technology systems.
• Leverage detailed knowledge of the District's business needs to enhance system design and capabilities.
• Install, implement, integrate, administer, and maintain District and third-party applications.
• Design and develop integration with other systems as required by the business.
• Take measures to ensure the integrity of system data.
• Implement database and / or system security measures.
• Monitor systems operational effectiveness, reliability, or security vulnerability, and respond accordingly.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Participate in the development and implementation of technology policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Utilize appropriate diagnostic and testing equipment to detect and resolve hardware and software issues.
• Plan, develop, and facilitate training.
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate technical documentation, user guides, reports of work performed, and other written materials.
• Communicate complex technology issues clearly to non-technical parties.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds of community college students.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES :

Appointment to this position is subject to availability of funds. *Salary Schedule subject to change.

To be considered a candidate for this position, all materials required should be received in the Victor Valley College Office of Human Resources by the First Review Date.

If a file is not complete by the First Review Date, the application may not be considered by the Screening Committee.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all requested materials are received. All material included in the application packet become District property, will not be returned, and will not be copied.

Please note, the only form of communication you will receive throughout the recruiting and hiring process will be through email.

It is your responsibility to check your email for any upcoming testing and / or interview dates. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Please note that the information provided on the application must be complete and will be the only information used to determine qualifications for the position.

If it is unclear whether an applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position from the application, that applicant will be disqualified.

A complete file consists of all of the following :

1. Completed electronically signed Victor Valley College application, which includes Contact Information, Education, Work Experience, References and Supplemental Questions.

2. Copies of college transcripts showing college coursework (If you have transcripts please attach as other) . (If you are using additional experience in lieu of educational requirements, please attach a document stating as such to the transcript attachment type or you will not be able to complete your application) NOTE : Degrees must be from an accredited institution.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to include U.S. evaluations of non-U.S. transcripts with their application.

You may check your status at any time by logging into Victor Valley College Online Application Site at with your username and password.

Candidates wishing to apply for more than one position must apply for each position separately.

Victor Valley College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Victor Valley College prohibits sexual harassment and assures that all employees will enjoy equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.

Employment acceptance or rejection shall be based on job-related qualifications.

A District-paid comprehensive benefit package which includes medical (HMO only), dental and vision insurances for the employee and dependents, and a $50,000 employee life insurance policy are provided.

For the most updated information please visit our benefits web page :

What is your highest level of education?(Copies of transcripts must accompany application. If using experience in lieu of education a document stating this must accompany the application to be considered- please attach this document as Other in the attachment page)

• Doctorate
• Masters
• Bachelors
• Associates
• High School Diploma or GED

Do you have a coursework in computer science, information technology, or related field?

How many years of increasingly responsible experience providing highly complex technical support to information systems do you have?

• 12 or more years
• 8 to 11 years
• 4 to 7 years
• 1 to 3 years
• No experience

If you are selected for this position, how will you show students that you care about them?

Required Question