Senior Business Systems Specialist

At Western Municipal Water District (“Western Water”)

, we’re seeking a seasoned Senior Business Systems Specialist to perform advanced-level analysis on a diverse range of technology programs and solutions for optimizing Western Water's enterprise business systems and processes. This role will collaborate with other departments and external software vendors to evaluate business processes and technology needs.

About Western Water

- Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people; and

- We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy; and

- We view our customers as an essential partner in ensuring long-term water security for our region; and

- Together, the Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust.

- Western Water was awarded the Top Workplace Award for 2023. The Top Workplace Award recognizes organizations that excel in creating a positive working environment for their employees. This award is based on employee feedback regarding various aspects like workplace culture, values, leadership, compensation, benefits, and work-life balance.

Western Water’s Values Include

- Service Excellence

- Efficiency

- Water Supply Reliability

- Fiscal Responsibility and Value

- Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency

- Environmental Stewardship

- Employee Empowerment

- Innovation

Western Water is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to nearly one million customers across Riverside County. As one of the region's largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

The Position

Western Water is looking for a tech-savvy problem solver ready to make a big impact as our new Senior Business Systems Specialist. This role is a chance to be a strategic partner across the organization, driving innovation and shaping the tools that help run Western Water. You’ll work closely with departments to improve how we use technology, lead critical projects, and translate business needs into smart system solutions. From refining workflows to supporting key business systems, you’ll play a central role in turning complex challenges into efficient, effective outcomes.

This role also digs deep into database support and analysis — managing enterprise applications, maintaining system performance, and making sure data flows accurately and securely across the organization. You'll troubleshoot, optimize, and enhance enterprise applications while helping teams get the most out of their data. If you’re someone who thrives on independence, technical leadership, and variety in your work, we want to hear from you.

The Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for a natural problem-solver with strong skills for systems and data. We need someone who doesn’t wait for instructions but takes initiative. The ideal Senior Business Systems Specialist will bring a strong background in business systems, enterprise applications, and database support. You’re comfortable managing complex projects, working across departments, and leading efforts to improve processes through smart technology solutions. You're just as confident diving into a database to troubleshoot a glitch as you are presenting a new process improvement idea to stakeholders.

You know how to keep enterprise systems running efficiently and securely, and you’re skilled at making sense of data — organizing it, analyzing it, and using it to empower better decision-making. Knowledge of programming skills, especially with common tools and languages used in system integration or automation are a definite plus — they help you go further in building, customizing, and optimizing solutions. If you enjoy wearing multiple hats, juggling priorities, and translating technical insight into business impact, you’ll fit right in.

Incumbents within the Senior Business Systems Specialist class report to the Director of Information Services and may exercise technical and functional direction and training of assigned staff.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a

Senior Business Systems Specialist

, you’ll be a key player in keeping Western Water’s technology running efficiently while helping teams work smarter through innovative system solutions. In this role, you will:

- Lead and manage technology projects that improve enterprise systems — from planning and scoping to evaluation and implementation.

- Collaborate across departments to understand business needs and deliver tailored, effective system solutions.

- Support and optimize enterprise applications and databases, ensuring smooth, secure, and high-performing operations.

- Lead the transformation of our business processes by designing and implementing software-driven solutions that empower Western Water's teams to accomplish their mission more effectively and efficiently.

- Mentor and guide team members, offering technical expertise and hands-on support to help them grow.

- Evaluate and recommend software tools and technologies that improve efficiency and align with Western Water’s standards.

- Coordinate with vendors and internal teams to implement enhancements, troubleshoot issues, and support long-term solutions.

- Develop and maintain documentation, including training materials, system reports, and user guides.

- Ensure data integrity and system performance, keeping information reliable and accessible across the organization.

- Stay up to date on technology trends, bringing fresh ideas and forward-thinking solutions to the table.

- Conduct data analysis and reporting to support informed, strategic decision-making.

- Quickly troubleshoot and resolve system issues, keeping operations running smoothly.

- Foster a collaborative and values-driven work culture, committed to service, value, and continuous improvement.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification. View the full job classification description at Human Resources | Western Municipal Water District, CA.

Knowledge Of

- Principles and practices of providing functional direction and training.

- Principles and practices of project management/project life cycles.

- Principles and practices of change management.

- Principles and practices of leadership.

- Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.

- Methods and techniques of eliciting information from business case owners to identify and analyze business processes.

- Principles, techniques, and procedures for business and technical system applications, including design principles and systems development methodologies to ensure efficient systems operation and maintenance.

- Methods and techniques of transforming business processes with software solutions.

- Techniques for developing project specifications and documentation.

- Principles and practices of developing and maintaining technical documentation, files, and records.

- Knowledge of common programming languages, software development tools, and utilities similar to those used by Western Water.

- Accounting, statistical, business, and office procedures commonly supported by system applications.

- Western Water and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.

- The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

- 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

- Effectively lead the work of project teams to accomplish technology project goals and objectives.

- Work collaboratively with departments and staff to identify technology solutions to meet business needs.

- Coordinate and direct the work of internal staff and external service providers involved in the delivery of technology solutions.

- Research, identify, and recommend cost-effective technology solutions and business process improvements and efficiencies.

- Conduct comprehensive research on a diverse range of technology topics.

- Evaluate the effectiveness of new technology in meeting established business needs.

- Understand and apply user systems specifications in performing systems evaluation, design, and programming or configurations.

- Understand, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.

- Prepare clear and concise program documentation, user procedures, reports of work performed, and other written materials.

- 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 relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

- Perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks.

- Administration principles and methods, including goal setting and program development.

- Interpret results and participate in formulating recommendations for action.

- Adhere to Western Water’s personnel rules, policies, and labor contract provisions with the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

- Provide transparent, high quality and fiscally responsible services, while meeting the needs of Western Water and its customers.

- Prepare a variety of routine to complex reports, and analyses.

- Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.

- Make effective and engaging oral presentations clearly, logically, and persuasively.

- Think creatively and seek alternative solutions to produce results that benefit Western Water, its internal and external customers, while clearly articulating options to management and policy makers.

- Use modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work.

- Define and explain key processes and business requirements within the department.

- Use sound business judgment in applying advanced principles, practices, and methods.

- Utilize successful leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence with a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and creativity coupled with a positive attitude.

- Highly motivated professional who is a self-starter, resourceful and able to work independently with minimum supervision.

Experience, Education, And Licensing/Certification

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications as outlined below:

Education Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, with major coursework in information technology, computer science, business administration, or a closely related field.

Minimum six (6) years of progressively responsible experience working as a Business Systems Analyst, Applications Support Analyst/Specialist, Programmer Analyst, or similar with progressively responsible experience providing professional support for business applications, data systems, and leading technology projects.

Desirable Licenses/Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)

or other Project Management certification

Physical, Mental, And Environmental Requirements

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

Physical:

Employees are regularly required to use repetitive motion for keyboard use and writing; frequently grasp, reach overhead, hold and reach; sit for long periods of time; occasionally walk, use staircases, stand, kneel, stoop and bend; occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds or 60 pounds with assistance; constantly use overall vision; and frequently hear and talk, in person and on the phone.

Mental:

Employees should possess the ability to speak, read, and write English, in addition to exercising math and computer aptitude as required. Employees work under pressure with frequent interruptions while communicating and interacting with a variety of District personnel, the public, and others encountered in the course of work. The ability to explain, interpret, and apply related rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and work on multiple concurrent assignments, often within tight timeframes using good business judgment is necessary.

Environmental:

Employees primarily work in a temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and settings. Incumbents are expected to use principles of effective safety practices including the use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.

Western Water is a tobacco free campus prohibiting smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated nicotine products in any Western Water vehicle and building, which includes any building owned and occupied, or leased and occupied, by Western Water, including, Headquarters, the Operations Center, and any remote facilities owned, leased and/or operated by Western Water.