IS Client Systems Specialist - Senior (Department Promotional Only)

Description
The Information Services Department of the County of San Mateo is seeking a well-qualified IS Client Systems Specialist - Senior for the Client Services Division.

Under general supervision, the position leads, trains, oversees, sets priorities, and directs the work of staff on a day-to-day basis; performs the most complex and varied technical support and training on use of personal computers, peripheral equipment, and systems hardware and software; provides technical depth and expertise with the ability to work directly with the customer; regularly leads large-scale or several small-scale projects of critical importance and substantial consequence of success or failure to the County; resolves computer application problems and troubleshoots hardware malfunctions; assists in maintaining and administering operating systems; provides technical support, installation, and maintenance for software, desktop computer applications, virtual desktops, Internet/Intranet, and countywide systems; installs, configures, and repairs personal computer hardware and software systems; and performs related work as required.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have strong verbal and written skills and the ability to effectively interface with customers, technical teams, and senior management. The individual must be extremely deadline oriented to thrive in a fast-paced environment and must have the ability to prioritize competing priorities and projects. You must be able to effectively analyze, diagnose, and implement scalable county-wide solutions. In this role, you will be expected to proactively identify new technologies and practices to encourage workflow improvements that enhance the organization's productivity. You will also be a technical escalation point, a mentor, a trainer, and an overall problem solver for the team. You may take on supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the IS Client Systems Supervisor.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
This position receives general supervision from assigned IS Client Systems Supervisor and exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey and lead-level class in the IS Client Systems Specialist series responsible for leading a group of staff in maintaining and troubleshooting application software and hardware. The work involves frequent contact with others and the coordination, scheduling, and assignment of multiple concurrent activities. Employees manage and provide technical leadership of projects involving large-scale, complex, and highly technical tasks and perform work requiring a very high level of technical knowledge in specific area(s) and/or ability to integrate at a high level the knowledge of several areas. This classification is distinguished from the IS Client Systems Specialist III by providing day-to-day technical and functional direction to lower-level staff, as well as by the performance of the most complex technical and specialized duties assigned to the class series. This classification is further distinguished from the IS Client Systems Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory-level responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in help desk and/or desktop support.

Position within this classification may be further distinguished by the area of specialty.
Examples Of Duties
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.

• Provides lead direction to a group of client systems specialist staff; reviews and controls quality of work; performs the more complex and technical support and training on use of personal computers, peripheral equipment, and systems hardware and software.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns work in consultation with the IS Client Systems Supervisor; inspects assigned equipment, systems, and infrastructure for maintenance, repair, and upgrade needs and recommends appropriate actions; assists in developing work plans, procedures, and schedules.
• Inspects and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to ensure activities are performed in accordance with department standards and specifications; provides input on annual employee performance evaluations.
• Coordinates projects, personnel, and systems to facilitate access to the County's computer systems; provides adequate, smooth, and efficient systems services for staff; receives, prioritizes, and coordinates response to work orders; estimates and provides adequate materials, equipment, and staff needed.
• Functions as a liaison between project managers, analysts, and administrators and support technicians to ensure standards and protocols are maintained; assists in coordinating activities with help desk and other information services staff.
• Maintains and monitors inventory levels of computer supplies and equipment; orders, receives, and maintains adequate inventory levels; researches, evaluates, and confers with vendors concerning hardware, software, and peripherals; reviews coordinates, and authorizes minor purchases; recommends major tool and equipment purchases.
• Serves as technical lead for assigned projects, including gathering user and systems requirements, working with vendors, contractors, project managers, and other project staff, installing, configuring, testing, and providing general technical support, and developing technical and user documentation.
• Facilitates and conducts business process redesign or technical design sessions and/or focus groups for design and implementation of new processes or systems.
• Installs, designs, configures, maintains, and upgrades operating systems and software packages across disparate platforms.
• Tests, diagnoses, troubleshoots, and repairs computer systems and equipment problems to ensure functional operation and in compliance with service level agreements.
• Evaluates problem severity and repairs; analyzes, troubleshoots, and fixes problems or refers to specialized or higher-level personnel and/or vendors for resolution.
• Installs and maintains network workstations and software; configures, installs, and tests network interface adapters and connects new clients to existing networks; isolates and repairs basic network communications problems at the personal computer, network hub, and host locations.
• Oversees the creation and deployment of baseline software sets, adhering to department and County standards, for various computer makes and models.
• Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; provides training to users and other technical staff and advises on best practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Oversees the inspection, troubleshooting, diagnosis, and resolution of complex personal and mobile computing hardware, software, and peripheral malfunctions remotely and in person; assesses system performance and identifies, analyzes, and resolves problems; modifies configurations as appropriate; coordinates response to emergency maintenance and repair situations.
• Provides specialized and complex technical support and assistance to staff concerning personal and mobile computer systems; serves as the primary contact for and resolves related issues, conflicts, and concerns; responds to inquiries and provides information concerning system operations, projects, malfunctions, equipment, upgrades, practices, procedures, and related software applications.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be completion of coursework and/or training in information systems, computer science, or related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in providing technical support in the installation, maintenance, and repair of systems specific to personal or mobile computing.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.
• Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain, industry-recognized information technology certifications.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of employee supervision and training.
• Advanced principles and practices used in the operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and administration of network operating systems, personal computer system hardware, and related software systems.
• Personal computer and network system application software packages and hardware peripherals.
• Computer hardware, software, network technology, and operating system products.
• Advanced techniques and methods of computer hardware and software evaluation, implementation, and documentation.
• Troubleshooting, configuration, and installation techniques.
• Basic principles and practices for identifying systems-related issues and actions needed to improve or correct performance.
• The organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities and to determine appropriate point of escalation.
• Applicable regulatory relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with vendors and County staff.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, schedule, assign, and oversee activities of assigned staff.
• Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards.
• Train others in proper and safe work procedures.
• Identify and coordinate areas where business process redesign can favorably impact operations.
• Identify and implement effective course of action to complete assigned work.
• Perform advanced and complex technical support functions in the operation and maintenance of computer software and hardware; take appropriate action to resolve problems or escalate to appropriate staff as needed.
• Identify, maintain, and repair hardware and software problems.
• Perform basic analyses of informational requirements and needs, identify problems, provide technical advice and consultation, and ensure efficient computer system utilization.
• Deal tactfully with the customers and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various County sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift and carry materials and objects up to 50 pounds with the use of proper equipment and push and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff when providing customer support services.
Application/Examination
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the County of San Mateo Information Services Department with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/ limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and/or supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline
Final Filing Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Friday, June 12, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.



HR Contact: Arlene Cahill (IS Client Systems Specialist - Senior - V271)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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