CLASS SPECIFICATION
SENIOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
DEFINITION OF CLASS
This is advanced level professional information systems technology work. Contacts
include other technology specialists, technicians, agency technology end users
at all levels, vendors, and individuals outside the government to advise, present
and justify proposed courses of action having substantial impact on operations
and organizations. The work involves providing limited service and assistance
to the public.
The work of this class involves providing senior level consultation and advice
to a project team of specialists or advanced level planning and execution of
information technology projects. An incumbent of this class performs duties
such as designing and developing databases and troubleshooting database problems;
preparing test data and test programs; evaluating, implementing and enforcing
system security protocols; providing advanced level support for web-based applications,
web sites and eGovernment functions; performing network design, operation and
maintenance tasks, and troubleshooting network faults using mapping and discovery
tools; providing analysis of planning and policy issues and cost-benefit analysis;
performing applications software engineering procedures and systems development
life cycle planning and implementation; system analysis and administration,
and legacy systems management. The work requires a high level of expertise in
specific applications, programming languages, web-based applications and eCommerce,
and systems, hardware and emerging technology applications in order to lead
teams or provide technical expertise in systems work designing, developing,
installing and operating systems for large scale and complex technology applications.
An incumbent has a technical knowledge base of sufficient depth and breadth
to be able to identify a wide range technological issues and problems, and identify
solutions related to ongoing or emerging technologies. An incumbent may have
full responsibility for aspects of large-scale system life cycles. The work
is performed independently, with little or no technical guidance. Results of
the work are considered technically authoritative, and work is reviewed from
the standpoint of fulfillment of program objectives. Guidelines for performing
the work are broadly stated, and an employee uses considerable judgment to interpret
and develop specific procedures and policy recommendations to accomplish work
assignments. The complexity of the work is characterized by varied duties involving
a wide range of systems design, installation, operation maintenance and security
issues and problems requiring the analysis and assessment of unusual or nonstandard
matters or data which is incomplete or contradictory. The work involves developing
creative solutions and resolving critical system problems. The work of this
class has a substantial effect on County operations. The work is primarily sedentary,
primarily performed in an office environment, and involves no significant hazards
to an employee. An incumbent uses a keyboard and video display terminal in the
work; however, use of this equipment is not production-oriented.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Leads technical project teams involved in developing major applications and
systems through all phases of the development of life cycle activities designing,
testing, implementing and maintaining applications. Provides project leadership
or senior advisory role related to such functional areas as: data access and
security administration; data warehousing and management; data and database
development;; information management; applications programming; geographical
information systems; systems analysis; quality assurance or voice processing.
Provides project management and oversight to in-house technical staff, in-house
subject matter specialists, and/or vendors involved in major business application
projects that are essential to departmental missions or affect large numbers
of people on a long-term or continuing basis; plans, develops, and implements
all aspects of technology solutions; coordinate determination if business process
requirements; coordinate development of applications by in-house or by vendor
technical IT staff; assures that within agreed upon budget, schedules, and timelines
are met; coordinates the review, assessment, testing, and modification of the
technical product to assure that customer requirements are met; coordinates
training, and implementation with IT staff and users.
Troubleshoots non-standard issues in the operation, maintenance and development
of a Local Area Network or Wide Area Network. Addresses operational issues identified
by end users. Quickly identifies problems and takes necessary corrective action.
Develops and administers policies and procedures that promote the management
of data as a key asset and shared organizational resource. Develops system documentation
and technical standards and guidelines for County-wide use.
Designs and modifies database management systems. Based on a thorough understanding
of such tools as DB2, makes the necessary changes and modifications based on
user requirements. Provides assessments of database management approaches ands
uses, and makes recommendations for modifications. Oversees the introduction
of new versions or the migration of new data or information into an existing
database management system.
Prepares specifications for technology procurements at the agency/department
level or above. Ensures that terms and conditions of contracts are met.
Works with user agencies or clients to conduct in-depth analysis of their operations
and procedures in order to define system needs and develop suitable systems.
Provides specifications for the development of program code for new applications
or to make modifications or solve operating issues or problems. May write, test,
document, and install program code. Oversees testing and debugging of code.
Provides advice and assistance in the design, implementation, security and evaluation
of database organization and integrity, and performs on-going database administration
functions.
Provides advice in the integration of new technology into existing operating
systems. Based on a broad based understanding of current systems capabilities,
leads or participates in systems integration activities including transition
activities between old and new technology. Develops modifications such as "Patching"
existing older systems to accommodate operating demands and needs.
Provides advice and guidance to clients regarding web page development, design
and optimization; web-based applications; and eGovernment development.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Five years of experience in the information technology field
in areas such as programming, systems analysis, and data/telecommunications,
depending on the duties of the position.
Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field from
an accredited college or university, or certifications in specific programming
languages or operating systems may be required, depending on the duties of the
position. Programming languages might include Visual C++, Visual J++, C++, C,
SQL, PowerBuilder, Oracle Developer 2000, Cobol.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may
be substituted. For applicants possessing very hard-to-find skills which are
a critical need to the department/agency, training and certification may be
accepted in lieu of full degree requirements.
Core Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Technical Competencies (An incumbent possesses competency in one or more
of the technical areas below):
Advanced-level competency in/knowledge of operating systems, including a basic
understanding of desktop applications, database management, help desk operations
and troubleshooting, user training/support, LAN support, departmental programs,
server administration, network administration, system design, emergency control
center, and mainframe operating systems and their applications in order to assure
continual, uninterrupted operation of computer systems and equipment.
Advanced-level competency in/knowledge of programming languages and software
packages such as JCL, SQL, Visual Basic, Windows, word processing, and other
database and data presentation packages to design, develop and support end users.
Advanced competency in/knowledge of program menus, project planning and evaluation,
program development, systems application development, management reporting,
web development/maintenance, software/hardware support, troubleshooting, program
support, strategic planning, network management, training and emergency control
center. Some positions in this class may require the knowledge of job control
language and ROSCOE in order to initiate certain operational requests, standard
reports and other applications associated with computer operations.
Advanced-level competency in/knowledge of information systems/network security
methods, including plan network implementation, system security, training, mainframe
use, network administration, systems analysis, emergency control center, and
RFP development, for ensuring, protecting and resolving the security of information
systems and network services.
Advanced-level competency in infrastructure design, including system integration,
planning and evaluating, program development, systems applications development,
troubleshooting, network management, internet/intranet, contractor management,
LAN support, network security, user support, hardware/software support, systems
analysis, systems design, voice systems, and RFP development.
Advanced-level competency in web technology, including database management,
new systems solutions, web development/maintenance, internet/intranet, applications
development, data warehousing, and eCommerce.
Advanced-level competency in systems integration, including program menus, application
integration, plan network integration, new systems solutions, troubleshooting,
strategic planning, contractor management, system security, training, hardware/software
support, project management, system design, and voice systems.
Advanced-level competency in database administration, including program menus,
database management, disaster recovery, troubleshooting, data processing and
analysis, data warehousing, and customer maintenance service.
Advanced-level competency in technology applications to conduct research and
development activities to plan, implement and administer new technologies.
KSAs/General Competencies:
Considerable knowledge of relational database structures and systems to consult
with users to determine database needs and develop design specifications.
Considerable knowledge of client/server structures and the ability to create
client/server systems that optimize access.
Considerable knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for automating,
developing, implementing and administering database management systems in order
to design database systems and programs which include access methods, access
time, file structure, device allocation, validation checks and statistical methods.
Considerable knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for optimizing,
integrating and installing information system components.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and methods of web technologies, tools
and delivery systems.
Considerable knowledge of the architecture and typology of software, hardware
and networks, including LANs, WANs and telecommunications systems, their components
and associated protocols and standards.
Considerable knowledge of computer network, desktop, mainframe operating systems
and their applications.
Considerable knowledge of methods for ensuring, protecting and resolving the
security of information systems and network services.
Considerable knowledge of computer languages and their applications in order
to develop operating systems.
Knowledge of budgeting, procurement, contracting, licensing and related administrative
procedures to serve in a lead capacity on major components of large-scale information
technology solutions.
Skill in project planning, design, implementation and acceptance testing.
Skill in diagnosing and resolving complex system problems.
Skill in developing workflow diagrams in support of system analysis activities
and functions.
Ability to define organizational data requirements in support of technology
applications.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements.
Ability to make sound, well-informed, creative and objective decisions, perceive
the impact and implications of decisions, and commit to action, even in uncertain
situations, in order to accomplish organizational goals.
Ability to apply knowledge of information technology concepts, practices and
methods to evaluate alternatives, solve technology problems, and make recommendations.
Ability to work with clients and customers with courtesy and tact to meet their
needs.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside
of the office, if necessary.
Special Minimum Qualification: Board of Elections
Ability to lift boxed containing computer support items and equipment such as
printers, computers, modems and monitors up to 50 pounds.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to non-bargaining unit positions in this class
will be required to serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months if appointed
and six (6) months if promoted, during which time performance will be carefully
evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion
of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History review
Board of Elections: Limited Core Exam
Class Established: July, 2001
Revised: March, 2004
October, 2011