Applications Systems Specialist - Parks & Recreation

City of McKinney, TX; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

City of McKinney, TX is seeking a detail-oriented IT professional to configure, maintain, and optimize software applications across on-premise and cloud environments. The role ensures security, patching, and regulatory compliance while delivering effective training and user support.

The ideal candidate has a CS-related degree with 2+ years in IT systems, ITIL Foundation and CompTIA A+ certifications within specified timelines, and experience with enterprise reporting tools like Crystal Reports,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline with 2+ years IT systems experience.
• Must obtain ITIL Foundation certification within 12 months of employment.
• Must obtain CompTIA A+ certification within 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Configures, maintains, and optimizes software applications to meet business needs.
• Sets up and configures on-premise and cloud-based applications aligned with processes.
• Provides technical support, troubleshoots issues, and trains users on applications.
• Ensures applications are updated, patched, secure, and compliant with regulations.
• Collaborates with vendors and IT teams to implement enhancements.
• Plans roadmaps, optimizes workflows, and drives data-driven improvements.
• Supports department projects and end-user acceptance testing.

Skills

IT systems administration

Application support

Incident management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

Crystal Reports

SSRS

Cognos

Job description

TYPICAL HIRING RANGE (steps 1-5):

$69,892.00 - $79,107.96/Annual

$33.60 - $38.03/Hourly

WORKING FOR THE CITY OF MCKINNEY

Working for the City of McKinney is more than a job. It is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It is also an opportunity to have a hand in the development of one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. That’s why we exist. Join us and start making a difference today.

OUR CORE VALUES

City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace. However, we also look after and support one another. All of us are guided by four employee-inspired values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE). We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture. All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization (HPO).

SUMMARY OF POSITION

This position configures, maintains, and optimizes software applications to meet business and user needs. The candidate will set up and configure both on-premise and cloud-based applications to align with current business processes. They will provide technical support, troubleshoot issues, and train users to use applications effectively. This position is responsible for ensuring applications are updated and patched. Access to the application must be secure and compliant with regulations to ensure data integrity, managed access control, and security protocols.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.

• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
• Contribute to a positive work culture.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
• Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages, maintains, and provides operational support for assigned interfaces, and applications, ensuring optimal functionality. Use incident management process to document and track customer interactions.
• Executes installation, upgrades, patches, automate manual tasks, and optimize workflows to improve efficiency.
• Customer & Stakeholder Communication: Responds promptly to customer and internal stakeholder needs while maintaining high service levels.
• Enhances technical processes, creates knowledge articles, and document troubleshooting steps.
• Collaborates with external vendors and technical teams to resolve issues and implement strategic enhancements.
• Follows departmental policies and procedures, maintain regulatory compliance, and adhere to the assigned work schedule per attendance guidelines.
• Plans application roadmaps, optimize workflows, and improve business services through data-driven solutions. This includes understanding stakeholder processes and how the system aligns with those processes.

If Assigned to Parks & Recreation:

• Provides day-to-day technical support and administration for the Department's business systems applications, including recreation registration software (e.g., RecTrac, ActiveNet, or similar), Asset Management and Work Ticket software (e.g. Cityworks), facility and program scheduling tools, project management systems (e.g. Wrike or Monday) as well as survey and performance management tools.
• Monitors system performance for Parks and Recreation applications; plans for and maintains application backups; troubleshoots, diagnoses, and resolves issues through to full resolution.
• Logs, tracks, and manages internal/external customer requests ensuring timely and professional communication with department staff and customers.
• Reviews vendor release notes and patches for Parks and Recreation applications; evaluates, tests, and implement updates, fixes, and enhancements.
• Supports system upgrades to department software including planning, testing, data validation, and post-go-live support.
• Creates and maintains documentation for Parks and Recreation system configurations, procedures, and end-user reference materials for facility and program staff.
• Participates in end user acceptance testing, quality assurance reviews, and change management processes for Parks and Recreation application changes.
• Supports end users during program registration launches, membership renewals, and facility reservation cycles.
• Serves as departmental liaison to IT as it relates to support of Citywide initiatives (e.g. Snowflake) and department specific hardware.
• Partners with software vendors and City IT technical support teams on implementations, single sign-on (SSO), server access, APIs, and integrations

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other duties as assigned or directed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND BEHAVIORS

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates. [MH3][MS4]
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to engage with peers, management, and clients at all levels.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks, manage resources efficiently, and elevate prioritization challenges when needed.
• Strong critical thinking, data analysis, and troubleshooting abilities to optimize performance and resolve issues efficiently. Well-versed in Windows platform and network technologies.
• Ability to document processes, maintain up-to-date documentation, and ensure adherence to organizational standards.
• Familiarity with ITIL Framework.
• Experience working independently, in a matrixed environment, and municipal settings while engaging multiple stakeholders in technical projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the below Minimum Qualifications may be an acceptable substitute.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution in Computer Science or related discipline and 2 (two) years of progressively responsible experience in Information Technology Systems with experience working with enterprise-wide vendor software applications and experience in IT support. Must have or obtain ITIL Foundation certification within 12 (twelve) months of employment. Must have or obtain CompTIA A+ certification within 6 (six) months of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 (two) + years’ experience in enterprise application administration (installation, upgrading, patching, user access management).
• 2 (two) + years’ experience in report building using Crystal Reports/SSRS/Cognos.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug screen and background check.
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License

PHYSICAL

Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (50 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination and oral communications ability.

DEMANDS

Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (50 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination and oral communications ability.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

There is limited exposure to environmental conditions.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.