Programmer Analyst III

Salary : $93,077.50 - $162,885.63 Annually
Location : HERRITY BUILDING (B-2), 12055 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ26), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-01438
Department: Planning and Development
Opening Date: 09/26/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S30
Posting Type: Open to General Public

The Department of Planning and Development is looking for an innovative Programmer Analyst to help build our data analytics and reporting program. This position will work as the sole development resource within DPD, developing SQL code, Power BI dashboards, Power Apps, Power Automate solutions and SSRS reports to meet agency reporting needs. Collects, interprets, and analyzes user requirements and specifications and works with users in an iterative process to propose solutions, develop prototypes, incorporate feedback and implement a final product. Coordinates deployment of reporting and data visualization solutions with end users to meet agency management, daily, monthly, and annual reporting needs.

Note: In accordance with current Fairfax County telework and personnel policies, this position is eligible for partial telework. Telework enrollment and continuance are subject to supervisor approval and County policy.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Serves as lead programmer for complex technology solutions;
Defines, designs, and delivers technically advanced code and objects for applications;
Writes, reviews, and deploys scripts, services, system interfaces, and integration logic;
Plans, packages, and implements complex programs, routines, jobs, and utilities;
Implements software in conformance with defined change / release control procedures;
Follows system lifecycle standards and development procedures;
Maintains and documents moderate to complex computer programs and/or application software;
Develops advanced test scripts and data; tests, evaluates, and debugs software systems;
Configures and/or provides administration of COTS applications and related databases;
Defines and designs inputs, outputs, work flows, error handling, and complex functional logic;
Monitors and evaluates efficiency/effectiveness of applications and underlying data structures;
Suggests design and solution options when user enhancements are not feasible as requested;
Seeks and identifies opportunities for new technology or system enhancements;
Interacts with customer agency in scoping requirements, evaluating feasibility and priority;
Confers with users to define requirements and validate conformance to acceptance criteria;
Interfaces with users to provide technical assistance, diagnose and resolve software problems;
Translates user requirements and interprets specifications of advanced complexity;
Defines tasks, estimates resource needs, and organizes work for assigned projects;
Prepares requests for programming, and recommends staff assignments;
Produces or contributes to advanced designs, specifications, and deliverables;
Prepares or delivers training, user manuals, and documentation for assigned projects;
Oversees tasks assigned to subordinate clerical, technical, contractor, or project team staff;
Supports a 24 x 7 environment, responding to emergencies and critical system failures;
Assists in detecting, analyzing, and resolving non-routine application-related problems;
Presents ideas and concepts to an audience and participates effectively in workgroup activities;
Proactively engages and works with relevant functional areas in DIT in accomplishing work;
Evaluates new tools and methodologies for software development effectiveness and
applicability;
Assists in the development of requests for proposals and in the evaluation of responses;
Monitors contract performance and writes technical reports;
Assists in definition and adoption of new standards as needed;
Provides mentoring, assistance, training, and guidance to less experienced programmers;
Lends assistance and support to other staff as needed;
May require support beyond normal workdays to instrumental business operations or systems that require 24x7 support;
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Considerable knowledge of position-relevant computer languages and technologies;
Considerable knowledge of programming principles, operating systems, and hardware;
Considerable knowledge of system development life cycle concepts and activities;
Considerable knowledge of modern information processing techniques and systems analysis;
Considerable knowledge of the capabilities and operating requirements of various platforms;
Considerable knowledge of centralized, distributed, client server, and Web architectures;
Considerable knowledge of computer / database programming process and related practices;
Considerable knowledge of conceptual and logical data, work flow, and process modeling;
Considerable knowledge of report design and procedural report writing;
Skill in defining and supervising the work of others in a project lead capacity;
Skill in finding and presenting a range of options to resolve complex problems;
Skill in writing advanced programs and debriefing changes made;
Skill in designing and developing complex applications and components;
Skill in performing unit testing and the related debugging of computer errors;
Ability to establish and maintain effective business relationships;
Ability to work independently, serves as a team lead, or add value as a team contributor;
Ability to elicit requirements from stakeholders to support development of specifications;
Ability to perform research and find relevant materials to assist in project tasks and assignments;
Ability to seek root cause(s) and appropriate solution(s) for resolving complex issues;
Ability to plan, to organize, and to conduct systems analysis and feasibility assessments;
Ability to evaluate processes/procedures, to suggest improvements, and to design specifications;
Ability to document necessary system modifications and enhancements to defined standard(s);
Ability to assist users in troubleshooting and solving systems and programming problems;
Ability to translate technical terminology into simple, non-technical language;
Ability to provide guidance and assistance to technical employees and review their work;
Ability to train less skilled technical workers and to plan, assign, and review their work;
Ability to prepare clear, detailed programs of instruction for efficient system utilization;
Ability to ask relevant questions to assure understanding of assignments and requirements;
Ability to write easy to follow systems documentation tailored to the end user audience.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Information Systems, Computer Technology, Business, Economics, or related field, plus three years programming/analysis experience in a complex information systems environment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five years of experience developing and maintaining Power BI reports.
• Experience analyzing user requirements.
• Professional experience working with large datasets to develop complex metrics and data reporting.
• Experience developing SQL queries and code.
• Experience with IT support for planning, zoning, or related public sector work.
• Professional experience in or exposure to GIS technology.
• Experience managing and implementing all phases of the systems development life cycle.
• Ability to engage effectively with business stakeholders and translate their needs into practical solutions.
• Strong customer service and teamwork qualities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position is primarily sedentary. Employee may be required to do some walking, standing, bending and carrying items under 10 pounds in weight. Work requires the ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

#LI-LD1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Information systems
• Computer technology
• Business
• Economics
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05

How many years of full-time equivalent programming/analysis experience do you have in a complex information systems environment?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven or more years

06

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you possess with respect to analyzing user requirements?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have developing or maintaining SQL queries?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have managing and implementing all phases of the systems development life cycle?