Associate Application Specialist (Job Vacancy)

Overview

The Deployment Project Manager provides leadership for the implementation and deployment of PowerSchool systems software. This role has the overall responsibility for delivering and supporting the implementation of multiple projects, with subprojects of varying scope and size to school districts. This customer-facing position manages various functions in delivery of software and service solutions to ensure accurate and timely completion with high customer satisfaction. This position is involved with implementation assignments, consultation and related deliverables while ensuring high quality and high customer satisfaction throughout the implementation effort. Duties and responsibilities of this position are divided into the separate functions of ‘Application Specialist’ and ‘Unified Deployment Specialist’.

Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application Specialist

• Service Delivery – Completes implementation and training project work, on-time, within scope and meeting customers' expectations.
• Working Experience in SQL
• Product Knowledge –Develops knowledge and maintains continual understanding of designated applications and client business processes. Acts as a subject matter expert for designated area.
• Training Session Execution – Able to deliver effective training to varied audiences, through webinars and on-site sessions.
• Consulting Skills -Responsible for determining client needs and making appropriate recommendations for current and future value-added services, products, etc. Assist with district/school configuration, process mapping, district data migration, reconciliation of customer satisfaction issues, clarification of customer requirements and stats/steering meetings.
• Communication - Liaises with clients either on-site, by phone or email. Sets project and software expectations and provides status updates regarding project work. Responds to feedback, resolving any issues in a manner that satisfies the customer while meeting business objectives.
• Project Management - Able to embrace Project Management methodologies (planning, time management, communications, etc.) to deliver these services.
• Peer Training -Empowering clients, teammates and others within our company by imparting applications knowledge and documentation.
• Process & Best Practices Knowledge - Ability to recommend and adherence to best practices and process optimization.
• Status Reporting - Keeping the necessary parties up to date on the status of your project/engagements and escalating as appropriate

Unified Deployment Specialist

• Leadership - Drives and facilitates decision-making and consensus among key stakeholders (program and technical) at the local district. Serves as project team lead, guiding the work of internal and client teams while ensuring responsiveness to customer needs. Is accountable for overall performance and delivery of defined services scope of work. Develops relationships and works with key district and school stakeholders
• Capacity Planning -Schedules service projects; evaluates and balances capacity and maximizes utilization. Effectively allocates and manages project resources across all areas to create a successful unified deployment of individual products
• Communication – Communicates project status and/or changes to project plans to the organization. Liaises with clients; Sets expectations and provides status updates regarding project work. Leads scheduled meetings. Coordinates process mapping, data migration. Acts as escalation point for reconciliation of customer satisfaction issues. Acts as liaison on customer’s behalf to internal business units (e.g., sales, business operations, implementation, product education, technical support). Communicates with stakeholders in an effective, professional manner throughout the duration of the implementation effort.
• Product Knowledge – develops knowledge and maintains understanding of PowerSchool applications, client business processes and how they are built out in a unified deployment.
• Project Management - Creates and maintains project plans for designated areas. Maintains all project documentation including accurate records of individual implementation project deliverables/work products, status and issues. Uses industry standard project management methodologies to track progress, manage risk and coordinate resources.
• Strategy - Assists in the development and management of the processes and procedures associated with project deliverables. Provides direction for and coordinates efforts of all cross-functional project team members. Collaborates with Sales Team to actively identify additional products and services with existing customers; manages change control process as necessary. Understands and supports internal and partner vendor implementations, involving services.
• Status Reporting - Keeping the necessary parties up to date on the status of your project/engagements and escalating as appropriate.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To be considered for and to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Qualifications include:

• Student Specific: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Education or related field or equivalent experience
• ERP Specific: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Computer Science, or Business
• 2-3 years’ project management or project coordinator experienceExperience working in K-12 large-scale, district technology implementations
• Student Specific: Familiarity with District, School, and Student data, including an understanding of relationships between types of data for areas including: students, courses, schedules, schedules, grade scales, terms, report cards, transcripts, state reporting data, standards, grade books.
• ERP Specific: Familiarity with accounting, payroll, or business practices, including an understanding of relational databases, and experience with SQL.
• Strong Microsoft Excel knowledge and use of working with data sets, reports and charts and budget information. Ability to do VLOOKUP’s and utilize excel functions.
• Experience writing reports using Crystal, Cognos, or similar reporting tool a plus.
• Subject matter expertise in at least one of PowerSchool’s current software solutions.
• MS Project or SmartSheets working knowledge
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong communication skills: written, verbal, and personally able to quickly build and maintain rapport with others
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and adapt to continual change in a fast-paced environment
• Must be proactive, action-oriented, and motivating
• Ability to drive consensus, facilitate solutions, and build options/alternatives
• PMP and/or CSM certification, preferred

EEO Commitment

PowerSchool is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. PowerSchool is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers PowerSchoolers to deliver the best results for our customers. We not only celebrate the diversity of our workforce, we celebrate the diverse ways we work. If you have a disability and need an accommodation regarding our recruiting process, please let us know by emailing accommodations@powerschool.com .