Principal Enterprise Systems Analyst

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

The Principal Enterprise Systems Analyst is a senior-level classification responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for the District’s most complex, enterprise-wide information systems, platforms, and technology-enabled services. Under general direction, incumbents are accountable for planning, coordinating, and guiding the full lifecycle of assigned enterprise systems and services to ensure alignment with District business needs, operational requirements, security standards, and regulatory obligations.

Incumbents serve as the principal point of accountability for establishing priorities, evaluating system capabilities, and guiding the evolution of enterprise systems in collaboration with District leadership, departmental stakeholders, technical staff, and external partners. The role emphasizes cross-functional coordination, long-range planning, and informed decision-making to ensure enterprise systems remain reliable, secure, scalable, and responsive to changing organizational needs.

The Principal Enterprise Systems Analyst provides advanced professional expertise and judgment in the analysis, evaluation, and governance of enterprise systems and services; supports major initiatives and projects with District-wide impact; and provides functional leadership, supervisory leadership and guidance to staff as appropriate. This classification is distinguished by its focus on enterprise scope, strategic impact, and accountability for system outcomes rather than routine operational or technical execution.

The Principal Enterprise Systems Analyst is distinguished from Senior-level classifications by responsibility for enterprise-wide systems and services that are highly complex, have District-wide impact, and require a high degree of independent judgment, coordination, and strategic planning.

Incumbents at this level are assigned the most complex initiatives involving multiple departments, diverse stakeholders, and significant operational, security, and regulatory considerations. The role requires evaluating competing priorities, establishing enterprise-level direction, and supporting executive leadership in making informed decisions regarding investment, risk, and long-term system evolution.

Unlike Senior-level classifications, which focus on the execution, delivery, and stewardship of specific enterprise systems or services, the Principal Enterprise Systems Analyst operates at a broader enterprise level, emphasizing lifecycle governance, cross-functional alignment, and outcome-based decision-making across system domains.

Examples of Duties

The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

The Principal Enterprise Systems Analyst assigned to Information Services will perform a variety of duties, including but not limited to:

•  Provides senior-level leadership and accountability for assigned enterprise information systems, platforms, and technology-enabled services with District-wide impact.
• Leads the planning, coordination, and ongoing lifecycle management of enterprise systems and services to ensure alignment with District objectives, operational requirements, security standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Establishes priorities and provides direction for enterprise systems through coordination with Enterprise Systems Analysts, Senior Enterprise Systems Analysts, technical leads, architects, and subject-matter experts responsible for specific systems and domains.
• Exercises full supervisory responsibility over Enterprise Systems Analysts and Senior Enterprise Systems Analysts, including assignment and review of work, establishment of priorities and performance expectations, approval of time and leave, preparation of performance evaluations, coaching and staff development, and participation in selection, discipline, and corrective action processes in accordance with District policies and procedures.
• Performs advanced analysis of business, operational, and technology needs to guide the evaluation, evolution, integration, modernization, or retirement of enterprise systems; collaborates with users, departmental representatives, external agencies, and vendors to assess requirements and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Supports and guides major initiatives and projects involving enterprise systems by contributing to scope definition, prioritization, sequencing, and resource planning; participates in cost/benefit analyses; evaluates proposed technologies and vendor solutions; and provides executive-level reporting on system direction, risks, and progress.
• Provides oversight and governance for enterprise systems and services, including guiding decisions related to architecture, interoperability, sustainability, security, and long-term lifecycle planning.
• Contributes to the development, application, and refinement of District standards, policies, and governance practices related to enterprise information systems, operational technology, cybersecurity, data management, and information governance.
• Evaluates emerging technologies and industry trends; assesses applicability to District needs; and supports planning for future enterprise initiatives.
• Participates in budget development, forecasting, and resource planning related to enterprise systems and services.
• Serves as the District’s principal point of accountability for the definition, prioritization, and ongoing stewardship of assigned enterprise systems and platforms.
• Defines and maintains long-range system roadmaps in collaboration with executive leadership, department stakeholders, architects, and technical teams, balancing value, risk, cost, and operational impact.
• Establishes and applies enterprise governance practices, including intake, prioritization, sequencing, and lifecycle decision-making, to ensure consistent and transparent management of enterprise investments.
• Arbitrates competing demands across departments and initiatives, making informed tradeoffs to optimize enterprise outcomes and ensure effective use of District resources.
• Guides the evaluation, adoption, and governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, to ensure responsible use, alignment with District objectives, data governance standards, security requirements, and regulatory considerations.
• Supports executive decision-making by preparing analyses, options, and recommendations related to enterprise systems strategy, investments, risks, and dependencies.
• Represents enterprise systems interests in cross-functional forums, committees, and planning efforts, serving as a trusted advisor on technology-enabled capabilities.
• Interacts effectively with others in the workplace; follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies; and performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of (all departments):

• Principles and practices of enterprise information systems planning, governance, and lifecycle management, including prioritization, investment decision-making, and long-range system planning.
• • Advanced concepts related to enterprise systems analysis, solution evaluation, integration, security, reliability, scalability, and sustainability in complex, multi-system environments.
• • Information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) environments, including considerations for cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience.
• • Principles of enterprise systems portfolio management and service delivery, including governance models, intake processes, prioritization frameworks, and lifecycle oversight.
• • Project and program management concepts, including scope definition, sequencing, dependency management, risk management, and resource coordination.
• • Vendor and third-party solution evaluation, procurement considerations, and contract performance oversight.
• • Data management, information governance, and data integrity principles as applied to enterprise systems.
• • Emerging technologies and industry trends, including artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced analytics, as applied to enterprise systems and decision support.
• • Principles of cross-functional business processes, organizational change, and stakeholder engagement.
• • Customer service principles and effective communication practices.
• • Common office productivity applications and collaboration tools.

Ability and Skills in:

• Providing strategic and supervisory leadership and exercising sound professional judgment in complex, enterprise-level decision-making.
• • Directing, supervising, and evaluating the work of professional staff, including establishing priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for outcomes.
• • Analyzing business, operational, and technology needs and translating them into actionable enterprise systems strategies and recommendations.
• • Establishing priorities, balancing competing demands, and guiding tradeoff decisions across departments, initiatives, and system domains.
• • Coordinating and influencing cross-functional teams, including technical staff, managers, vendors, and external partners.
• • Evaluating technology solutions, vendor offerings, and emerging capabilities for alignment with District objectives, security requirements, and long-term value.
• • Communicating complex technical and strategic concepts clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• • Preparing and presenting analyses, reports, and recommendations to executive leadership and other stakeholders.
• • Applying and supporting governance practices related to enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data management, and lifecycle oversight.
• • Managing multiple initiatives and priorities simultaneously in a complex organizational environment.
• • Working independently with a high degree of accountability while collaborating effectively across the organization.
• • Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information and records.
• • Using English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• • Demonstrating interpersonal skills sufficient to establish effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, managers, and the public.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

 

Education/Training: 

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.

Additional coursework, training, or professional development in enterprise systems management, systems analysis, service delivery management, project or program management, cybersecurity, information governance, or data management is desirable.

Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible experience in information systems, technology, or related enterprise environments, including experience in enterprise systems analysis, solution evaluation, implementation support, or lifecycle management of complex systems with District-wide or enterprise impact.

Experience providing direct supervisory responsibility, including assigning and reviewing work, establishing priorities, preparing performance evaluations, approving time and leave, and supporting staff development, is required.

Experience supporting or leading initiatives involving enterprise platforms, system integration, modernization, governance, or IT/OT convergence is highly desirable.

Industry-recognized certifications related to information technology, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, project or program management, or business analysis are desirable.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

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

 

Environment: Standard office setting.

Physical: Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Incumbents require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight; verbally communicate to exchange information.

 

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

 

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

 

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All Orange County Water District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Supplemental Information

Schedule: 9/80

You must submit an OCWD online employment application to be considered. Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ocwd to complete an application. Candidates given an offer of employment will be required to pass a medical examination and background check. Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number apply. EEO.