Business Systems Analyst (Information Systems/Business Analyst II)

Business Systems Analyst

SCDE is seeking a Business Systems Analyst to join the Program Support team within the Office of Information Technology (OIT). This role serves as a connector across OIT — working with technology teams, program offices, and external partners to analyze, document, and continuously improve the processes and systems that keep the agency running effectively.

This is an intermediate-level, cross-functional role that blends technical writing, business process analysis, data mapping, and systems documentation in an active Agile environment. The incumbent contributes directly to Phase 0 and Phase 1 deliverables — including the Service Catalog, knowledge base, governance documentation, and SOP library — and sustains that work through the plan's Scale and Optimize phases as SCDE's systems and integrations grow in complexity. Candidates should bring a track record of turning ambiguous requirements and technical detail into clear, governed, actionable documentation that real users rely on.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and govern the OIT knowledge base, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), runbooks, work instructions, job aids, FAQs, and service status communications aligned to Appendix B of the SCDE Modernization Plan.
• Own the documentation taxonomy, naming conventions, and metadata standards for OIT's process and documentation library; enforce version control and conduct routine content audits to ensure accuracy and compliance with agency standards.
• Author and maintain Service Catalog entries, Request for Service (RFS) intake templates, and escalation path documentation in support of OIT's shared services model.
• Create and maintain governance documentation including committee charters, RACI matrices, meeting cadence artifacts, and decision logs for OIT governance bodies (Steering Committee, ARB, CAB, Data Governance Council).
• Develop and update change management communication templates, release notes, and stakeholder briefings for each major OIT release or platform update.
• Analyze user and stakeholder needs across OIT program areas; translate findings into actionable business requirements, use cases, functional specifications, and Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) or Product Requirements Documents (PRDs).
• Map data elements across applications and integrations with full documentation; conduct testing to verify data fidelity, system integrity, and alignment with defined requirements.
• Simulate and recreate user issues to identify root causes; document findings and coordinate with technical teams on resolution and knowledge base updates.
• Assist in developing technical designs, workflow diagrams, process maps, and system architecture documentation that support application development, DevSecOps pipelines, and API integration projects.
• Support the application rationalization and portfolio review process by documenting current-state system capabilities, integration dependencies, and data flows across OIT's technology portfolio.
• Contribute to the Internal Data Governance Council by documenting data stewardship roles (Data Owner, Data Steward, Data Custodian), data classification standards, retention schedules, and access workflow procedures.
• Develop and maintain data catalog entries, data dictionary definitions, semantic model documentation, and KPI glossaries in support of SCDE's unified analytics platform and Research & Reporting team.
• Document data quality rules, stewardship workflows, and privacy-safe data sharing processes; assist with Ed-Fi data infrastructure documentation and interoperability standards for SIS/LMS/LOR platforms.
• Incorporate AI-powered productivity tools into documentation workflows, including Microsoft Copilot for drafting, editing, and summarizing complex technical content, and Claude for synthesizing stakeholder input, generating documentation outlines, and reviewing content for clarity and consistency.
• Apply effective prompting practices when using AI tools to produce documentation drafts; exercise editorial judgment to ensure all AI-assisted content meets accuracy, compliance, and agency style standards before publication.
• Support OIT's AI & Low-Code Guardrails framework by documenting acceptable use policies, prompt logging procedures, and human-in-the-loop requirements for high-impact decisions involving AI-generated content.
• Work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs), product managers, developers, and program directors across all seven OIT departments to gather accurate process detail and validate documentation.
• Participate in Agile sprint ceremonies, technical reviews, and project meetings as the documentation lead; maintain sprint-level documentation deliverables as part of the team's definition of done.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across SCDE program offices and external partners; represent OIT's documentation standards in cross-agency initiatives and vendor engagements.
• Contribute to quarterly technology scorecards and benefits realization reporting by documenting service health metrics, SLA attainment data, and adoption KPIs in clear, stakeholder-ready formats.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A high school diploma and experience in computer system development and modification. A bachelor's degree in a related area may substitute for the required work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Information Science, Technical Communications, or a closely related field; or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• 1–2 years of demonstrated experience in business analysis, systems documentation, information systems, or a comparable role in a technology-driven environment; applied experience through internship, co-op, or equivalent project work is accepted.
• Proficiency in documenting workflows, SOPs, system specifications, and business requirements for both technical and non-technical audiences; demonstrated ability to manage a documentation library with taxonomy, version control, and metadata standards.
• Working knowledge of information systems design, data mapping, and cross-application documentation; experience with document management systems that use controlled metadata.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and collaborative documentation tools (e.g., Scribe, Confluence, or equivalent knowledge base platforms).
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development environments and SDLC artifact types including BRDs, PRDs, test plans, and change request documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple documentation workstreams simultaneously and meet sprint-level delivery commitments.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to translate complex technical content into plain-language documentation for diverse audiences.
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted writing and documentation tools, particularly Microsoft Copilot and Claude; ability to use these tools to accelerate drafting, synthesis, and content review while maintaining editorial control over final outputs.
• Familiarity with Ed-Fi tools, data standards, and K-12 data infrastructure projects; experience documenting interoperability standards for SIS, LMS, or LOR platforms is a meaningful differentiator.
• Experience supporting data governance programs, including drafting data catalog entries, data dictionaries, stewardship role definitions, and data quality documentation.
• Experience documenting Agile DevSecOps processes, CI/CD pipelines, API integration patterns, or low-code platform workflows.
• Experience in state government, K-12 education, or another regulated public sector environment; understanding of compliance documentation requirements (FERPA, COPPA, NIST) is a plus.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), or equivalent certification is a plus.

Additional Comments

As a part of a competitive compensation package, we offer comprehensive benefits that include generous paid time off, preeminent health care benefits, professional development opportunities, pension, a 401(k), and a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.

The South Carolina Department of Education offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (401(k) and 457 options).

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.