City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

IT Department Systems Architect

Optimizes the department’s strategic goals by applying information system industry standards and best practices to design and develop data standards and solutions to complex application problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. 

1. Develops system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures.
2. Communicates with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
3. Provides advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes.
4. Documents design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information.
5. Verifies stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture.
6. Collaborates with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components.
7. Evaluates current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability.
8. Provides technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems.
9. Identifies system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
10. Provides guidelines for implementing secure systems to customers or installation teams.
11. Investigates system component suitability for specified purposes and make recommendations regarding component use.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge of computer networks, hardware, and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services to include customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Skill in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Skill in understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill in determining how systems work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Skill in generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
Skill in identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Information Science, Computer Science, Electronics, or in a field related to the job, plus four (4) years experience working in a business process/systems analysis environment, two (2) years of which were in a lead capacity.

Experience may substitute for education up to four (4) yrs