Business Analyst (ACPE)

Job Description

If you thrive in collaborative environments and excel at turning technical details into meaningful outcomes, this is the role for you!  Step into a dynamic role where you’ll bridge the gap between technology and business, leading impactful projects that enhance agency-wide systems and services. From driving data insights to shaping SharePoint solutions, you’ll be the go-to expert solving complex challenges and empowering staff with clear, actionable information.

Position Summary:

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking a professional who, as part of a dedicated Information Technology Team, can work independently, as well as, lead project teams within a group setting to implement business process systems and technical initiatives.

Business Analyst’s provide support and serve as liaison between technical staff, management, end-users and outside contractors on agency projects. Duties include project management, project and systems documentation following established project methodology, business system design, process and systems testing and troubleshooting.

Why Join Our Team:

Mission:

ACPE provides sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training. We are a collaborative team that supports one another.  We actively support and model ACPE’s values:

Service, Innovation, Empowerment, Quality, and Accountability

.

For more information about ACPE, our mission and our services, visit our website at:

http://acpe.alaska.gov

Culture:

We value continuous learning and growth. ACPE is the State’s postsecondary education agency, promoting access to, and success in, education and career training after high school.   We are Alaska’s trusted higher education agency; our purpose is to serve Alaskans.  We operate with integrity in everything we do.

Professional Growth:

We support training for employees and have opportunities for upward mobility. ACPE seeks engaged candidates who are eager to expand their knowledge and skills. We are committed to providing the training and support needed for the right candidate to succeed.

Office Location:

This position is located in Juneau or Anchorage. ACPE’s Juneau office is located in the Vintage Business Park area of Mendenhall Valley, and our Anchorage office located on Bragaw Street near Northern Lights.  Both locations are conveniently close to public transportation and have ample parking available.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule

: This position offers a flexible/hybrid work schedule. However, during the probationary period, employees are required to work full-time, in person, at the Juneau or Anchorage office, Monday through Friday. For more information, please review the State of Alaska

Telework Policy.

Upon successfully completing the probationary period, employees become eligible to telework from Juneau or Anchorage, AK. Employees may telework up to four days per week and work in-person at the Juneau or Anchorage office one day per week. Currently, all staff work in-office on Wednesday; this schedule may change based on agency needs, operational needs, special projects, meetings, or other job responsibilities that may require employees to work in the office more frequently. Employees should be prepared to report to the office as needed.

Benefits:

As a State of Alaska employee, you may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. Actual benefits vary based on bargaining unit, position type, and full – or part-time status.

For complete information about insurance, retirement, and leave benefits, visit the

State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits

website.

Insurance Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions

• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance (additional optional coverage may be available)

• Optional insurance plans, including long- and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), long-term care, and supplemental survivor benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), as applicable

• Employer contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, depending on date of hire

• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity in lieu of Social Security

• Optional participation in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Leave and Other Benefits:

• Personal leave that increases with years of service

• Twelve paid State holidays each year

What You’ll Do:

Serve as business liaison and project manager between technical programming staff, business users and outside contractors to communicate project scope, design and implementation requirements when working on agency projects and initiatives.

Develop test plans for testing of business software enhancements, locate appropriate cross sections of test accounts, perform testing regimens, analyze results, submit problem reports and communicate information and recommendations to management and staff.

Provide answers and recommendations on system related inquiries from ACPE staff.  Including report creation and data analytics.

Provide and create reports and data analytics to ACPE staff and stakeholders.

Analyze and research problem reports and work directly with internal programmers and other contractors on resolving reported issues.

Develop concise project documentation as specified in Project Methodology procedures when servicing as Business Analyst lead on agency projects.

Provide agency-wide SharePoint implementation and section support by performing site design, site development, site maintenance and user testing.

Update and maintain ISS web-based problem tracking application and performs other duties as may be assigned.

What We’re Looking For – Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

Working knowledge of computer information systems, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Visio, Outlook, Teams

Experience with SharePoint sites, lists, and libraries preferred

Understanding of student loan servicing, grants and scholarship processing

Data processing concepts

Data analytics and report creation concepts

Project management procedures

Continuous improvement protocols such as LEAN methodology

Skills:

Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with highly technical content

Working with detailed requirements and analyzing complex problems

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff and utilizing problem resolution techniques

Abilities:

Work with system users from a variety of positions and levels of authority

Work effectively under stress to meet deadlines

Coordinate multiple tasks

Perform as part of a team

Demonstrate good judgement, analytical skills, and make independent decisions

Lead group discussions and presentations

Provide training to a range of user proficiencies

Analyze and evaluate oral and written documentation, reason logically, identify relationships, and formulate credible conclusions

Effectively perform project lead duties in connection with projects of varying scope

Minimum Qualifications

Business Analyst: A minimum of 3 years work experience utilizing analytic skills

AND

at least 1 year of detailed work experience in technical or business process project methodology

AND

possess working level skills with MS Excel, MS Word, MS SharePoint, flowcharting software and reporting software. Competency to lead cross divisional projects.

Advanced Business Analyst: A minimum of 6 years work experience utilizing analytical skills

AND

at least 3 years of detailed work experience in technical project methodology

AND

possess working level skills with MS Excel, MS Word, MS SharePoint, flowcharting software and reporting software. Competency to independently lead multiple complex cross divisional project teams.

Preference will be given to experience in a loan/grant/scholarship serving environment.

Substitution/Edu