Occ. Code 0815200

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 14

0815200

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 18

0815300

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

 

Information Technology Specialists perform or assist in performing technical and agency program support IT activities related to network and system design, configuration, maintenance, and security; customer support; business/systems analysis and design which may include web site development and administration of a transactional, dynamic, or interactive web site; and the design, development and administration of database systems.

 

These positions exist in most State agencies and all positions are in the competitive class.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 1: entry level; perform a variety of non-programming IT duties with detailed instructions and guidance provided by either Information Technology Specialists 2 or higher level IT positions; may supervise Information Technology Assistants or support staff in clerical titles.  Incumbents may perform any of the duties assigned to Information Technology Specialists 1 (Programming); however, the preponderance of duties involve non-programming assignments.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 2: full performance level; perform a variety of non-programming IT duties with more independence and less instruction than expected of Information Technology Specialists 1; may supervise Information Technology Assistants, support staff, Information Technology  Specialists 1 or Information Technology Specialists 1 (Programming).  Incumbents may perform any of the duties assigned to Information Technology Specialists 2 (Programming); however, the preponderance of duties involve non-programming assignments.

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

Information Technology Specialists 1 and 2 (Programming) perform or assist in performing technical activities related to writing instructions (code), application program development, program and system testing, and system maintenance and implementation.

 

Information Technology Assistants answer general IT questions concerning hardware, software, and agency specific IT programs, and refer cases that require further resolution to either higher level IT staff, consultants, or vendors.

 

Information Technology Specialists 3 (Programming) act as lead systems analysts and application programmers.  They may supervise and train Information Technology Specialists 1 and 2 (Programming) and other information technology staff.

 

Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Systems Programming) perform systems programming and implement and maintain an agency's systems software environment or major components of it.

 

Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Database) perform database definition, documentation, structure, installation, organization, and management tasks.

 

Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Data Communications) perform data communications, network analysis, design, installation, monitoring, performance evaluation, tuning, and maintenance tasks.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 1

 

Conducts or assists in business/systems analysis.

 

·        Documents business systems or processes by describing all relevant factors including work flow processes, data input and output activities, descriptions of data elements, and overall program goals, objectives, and external considerations, such as federal and State legislative mandates.  This may include web site development and administration of a transactional, dynamic, or interactive web site; or the design, development, and administration of database systems to support IT applications.

 

·        Gathers, organizes, and performs preliminary analysis of information about costs/benefits, advantages/disadvantages, and technical feasibility of designing and implementing proposed systems.

 

·        Participates in meetings and works with agency management, users, vendors, consultants, and IT staff to discuss IT solution options and assists in recommending appropriate system platforms for meeting program requirements.

 

·        Assists in analyzing the impact of implementing new or modified systems on computer resources and other agency programs.

 

·        May assist with various design activities such as creating program specifications, work flow diagrams or structured charts, and logical data models.

 

·        May participate in the testing phase of application development such as assisting in the development of test plans, test conditions and validation testing.

 

Develops, prepares, and assists with documentation preparation for the system, including run books for computer operations staff, procedural manuals and on-line help instructions for users, and technical documentation manuals for IT staff.

 

Performs installation, administration, testing, and maintenance of hardware and software.

 

·        Collects information needed for new hardware/software installations or modifications to existing configurations including all necessary support infrastructure.

 

·        Monitors or assists in monitoring disk space utilization, as well as other system resources, and makes required adjustments to meet capacity and efficient operating requirements according to established thresholds and following designated procedures.

 

·        Plans, executes, and performs quality assurance measures on system user acceptance tests of programs and systems.

 

·        Establishes and configures cabling connectors, interfaces, electrical grounds, and communication data line connectors.

 

·        Runs diagnostic software to ensure that equipment operates properly and takes appropriate corrective action when required.

 

·        Installs, configures or customizes software and ensures that the configuration meets system requirements. 

 

·        Ensures that repair and preventative maintenance procedures are followed for the agency's hardware and software.

 

·        Responds to user "help desk" requests or referrals of computer related problems.

 

·        May coordinate with vendors in the installation, administration, testing, and maintenance of hardware and software.

 

Utilizes job stream scheduling techniques, Job Control Languages, and utility programs to identify, analyze and solve production problems/issues.

 

·        Modify Job Control Language to ensure proper running of production jobs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Participates in the selection process for hardware, software, and maintenance; and may participate in the procurement process.

 

·        Compares specifications and descriptions of new hardware and software packages to determine if the acquisition is appropriate to meet business needs; and recommends the acquisition of new hardware, software, and maintenance services.

 

·        Analyzes proposed applications to determine if they would require new hardware or software.

 

·        Assists in the preparation of procurement materials such as Requests for Proposal and evaluation of proposed solutions.

 

·        May coordinate with vendors in the selection process for hardware, software, and maintenance solutions.

 

Deploys, configures, and maintains and assists in developing and planning networked systems.

 

·        Assists in analyzing and defining the network environment.

 

·        Maintains and assists in defining network architecture and infrastructure. 

 

·        Installs, configures and optimizes network hardware and software.

 

·        Administers and assists in developing network backup and recovery procedures.

 

·        Operates network and systems management software to identify problems and administer pre-defined fixes, while referring complex network issues through the appropriate escalation process.

 

·        Monitors network traffic and identifies components of the network that may require closer evaluation and possible problem resolution.

 

·        May coordinate with vendors in the development, planning, deployment, configuration and maintenance of networked systems.

 

Assists in the development of enterprise information security procedures and protocols.

 

·        Utilizes identity and access management software to create and manage user identities and to provide access to system resources.

 

·        Configures or assists in configuring encryption software products to systematically encode and decode data to avoid unauthorized access.

 

·        Assists in the selection, deployment and maintenance of antivirus software.

 

·        Administers or assists in administering security software and hardware such as intrusion detection software and firewalls to meet agency security procedures and policies.

 

·        Monitors systems and reports security breaches through the appropriate escalation process.

 

·        May coordinate with the Office for Technology, vendors or consultants in the development of enterprise information security procedures and protocols.

 

May provide and administer training in hardware and software technologies.

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 2

 

In addition to any or all of the duties above:

 

May supervise Information Technology Specialists 1, Grade 14; Information Technology Specialists 1 (Programming), Grade 14; and Information Technology Assistants, Grade 12.  The supervisory function includes such activities as providing technical direction on specific tasks and completing supervisory duties such as approving time off; signing timecards; and completing performance evaluations.

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 1

 

Open Competitive:  An Associates or higher level degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Management Information Systems, OR an Associate's or higher level degree area with fifteen credit hours in Computer Science OR a total of two years of experience in the following computer related areas: network, server, storage, and systems management; telecommunications; IT customer support and training; computer installation, diagnosis and repair; technical writing; computer security; knowledge management; database administration, design and management; internet/intranet development, design, and maintenance; information technology project management; design and development of geographic information systems or computer aided drafting applications; computer programming; business/systems analysis; program design; or program testing.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 2

 

Promotion: One year of permanent service as an Information Technology Specialist 1, Grade 14.

 

Open Competitive: A Bachelors or higher level degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Management Information Systems, OR a Bachelor's or higher level related degree with eighteen credit hours in Computer Science OR a total of four years of experience in the following computer related areas: network, server, storage, and systems management; telecommunications; IT customer support and training; computer installation, diagnosis and repair; technical writing; computer security; knowledge management; database administration, design and management; internet/intranet development, design, and maintenance; information technology project management; design and development of geographic information systems or computer aided drafting applications; computer programming; business/systems analysis; program design; or program testing.

 

 

 

Revised:  9/07

 

 

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.