Business Applications Administrator

Federal Way Public Schools; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Way Public Schools is seeking a Senior Business Applications Administrator to manage the district's core Business, HR and Payroll applications, including system design, setup, maintenance, troubleshooting and security, at the Educational Service Center.

You will lead complex projects across multiple systems, coordinate with vendors and staff, develop data models, and prepare training materials while ensuring compliance with FERPA and district policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in job related area or business-related computer science
• Two year's experience in computer system application support
• Experience with microcomputer and centralized online computer systems
• Experience in computer-generated report writing and spreadsheet development
• Experience in training and group facilitation
• Or any combination of experience and education that has provided the required knowledge and abilities
• Experience with BusinessPLUS
• Progressive experience in finance
• Successful experience with finance and human resource information systems applications
• Experience with S275, F195, F196, and/or DRS reporting

Responsibilities

• Assumes lead role and subject-matter expert for mission-critical application of BusinessPLUS and communicates effectively with other technical staff and district level end users. Determines and meets deadlines for the implementation of project timelines.
• Develops, implements and monitors information systems policies and procedures for the purpose of ensuring data accuracy, system stabilization, security and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborates with district personnel, vendors, and peers for the purpose of implementing, maintaining and troubleshooting data, systems and/or programs. Acts as the primary district liaison to vendors. Track incidents to closure and verify solutions provide required outcome.
• Assess systems-level processes and leads effort to identify and implement new solutions. Translates ideas into concrete action plans to implement significant change and/or improvements in the district.
• Coordinate with Business Services and Human Resources staff to research, analyze, and troubleshoot application program problems and inefficiencies. Effectively formulate recommendations for solutions and improvements.
• Provides leadership and planning to training staff and end users, identifies training needs and provides training in multiple formats to users in virtually all positions of the district.
• Develops and documents data models for the purpose of responding to user and administrative data needs, data relationships, system modification and customized reporting.
• Leads effort to implement system upgrades, including developing proper test plans, ensuring adequate testing, maintaining test records, and providing proper communication to affected parties.
• Designs and creates a wide variety of technical and non-technical materials for the purpose of documenting processes, providing written reference and/or explaining new and existing functionality and flow of information. Ensures these materials are compliant with district, state and federal reporting requirements including but not limited to district policy, state RCW and WAC codes, and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Assist school and department staff in the development, creation, documentation, and maintenance of reports using the various report-writing tools.

Job description

• Position Type:
  Classified/ Positions - District Office
  
• Date Posted:
  9/21/2026
  
• Location:
  Educational Service Center
  
• Date Available:
  11/01/2026
  
• Closing Date:
  10/02/2026
  
• Days of the Week:
  Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday
  
• Shift Times:
  8:00am - 4:30pm
  

SALARY:

$127,880.00

POSITION SUMMARY:

The employee in this position implements, manages, and maintains the core Business, HR and Payroll applications of the district – to include system design, set-up, maintenance, troubleshooting, process evaluation and improvements, and system security. The Business Applications Administrator will work with all interested parties, such as technical support, vendors, end-users and staff, to ensure that the applications are functioning in such a way as to promote the district's core mission. They provide advanced levels of support with the integration of multiple applications and/or processes. They are able to manage highly complex projects involving multiple systems, user groups, and lasting several months; and ensure that the systems meet service level objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following

• Assumes lead role and subject-matter expert for mission-critical application of BusinessPLUS and communicates effectively with other technical staff and district level end users. Determines and meets deadlines for the implementation of project timelines.
• Develops, implements and monitors information systems policies and procedures for the purpose of ensuring data accuracy, system stabilization, security and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborates with district personnel, vendors, and peers for the purpose of implementing, maintaining and troubleshooting data, systems and/or programs. Acts as the primary district liaison to vendors. Track incidents to closure and verify solutions provide required outcome.
• Assess systems-level processes and leads effort to identify and implement new solutions. Translates ideas into concrete action plans to implement significant change and/or improvements in the district.
• Coordinate with Business Services and Human Resources staff to research, analyze, and troubleshoot application program problems and inefficiencies. Effectively formulate recommendations for solutions and improvements.
• Provides leadership and planning to training staff and end users, identifies training needs and provides training in multiple formats to users in virtually all positions of the district.
• Develops and documents data models for the purpose of responding to user and administrative data needs, data relationships, system modification and customized reporting.
• Leads effort to implement system upgrades, including developing proper test plans, ensuring adequate testing is performed, maintaining test records, and providing proper communication to affected parties.
• Designs and creates a wide variety of technical and non-technical materials for the purpose of documenting processes, providing written reference and/or explaining new and existing functionality and flow of information. Ensures these materials are compliant with district, state and federal reporting requirements including but not limited to district policy, state RCW and WAC codes, and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Assist school and department staff in the development, creation, documentation, and maintenance of reports using the various report-writing tools.
• Researches solutions for the purpose of providing technical information on compatibility, new technologies, system errors, user problems and cross system communication.
• Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform essential functions and improve performance, functionality and user experience.
• Serve as a member of the Business Services team. Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in job related area or business-related computer science
• Two year's experience in computer system application support

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with microcomputer and centralized online computer systems
• Experience in computer-generated report writing and spreadsheet development
• Experience in training and group facilitation
• Or any combination of experience and education that has provided the required knowledge and abilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with BusinessPLUS
• Progressive experience in finance
• Successful experience with finance and human resource information systems applications
• Experience with S275, F195, F196, and/or DRS reporting

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Criminal background clearance
• Work Scheduled hours on a consistent basis

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• The principles, practices, and methods of computing systems
• The analysis and design of relational database management
• Report writers
• The principles and practices of Finance and Human Resource operations procedures for information system documentation

ABILITY TO:

• Plan and lead process improvement with technology
• Troubleshoot and resolve problems related to database and software systems
• Test and develop procedures for documentation
• Function with minimum guidance
• Effectively analyze data and issues and create action plans
• Demonstrate good project management skills
• Operate as part of a team executing projects
• Organize and plan projects
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with end users to resolve problems and express complex technical concepts in business terms
• Demonstrate analytical, problem solving, and conceptual skills
• Adapt to changing work priorities
• Exercise initiative, make independent decisions, multi-task and follow through on assignments
• Maintain effective working relationships with individuals and groups in a multicultural and diverse community
• Abide by Federal Way Public Schools' Policies and Procedures
• Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:

• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
• Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
• Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee may occasionally be required to squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will constantly be required to sit for extended periods of time and use a computer screen and keyboard, and occasionally be required to climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 5 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 10 pounds. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 20 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports to, and is evaluated by the Chief Financial Officer

REPRESENTATION

This is a non-represented position

LEVEL OF COMPENSATION

$127,880.00 level on the Non-represented Employees Salary Schedule

This position includes the following benefits, prorated based on FTE: medical, dental, and vision insurance; sick leave and vacation leave; life insurance; and retirement benefits.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

Updated to new format and to reflect change to non-rep classification 03/17

Updated qualifications 9/2026

Disclaimer

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.