Occ. Code 0815500
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 4, GRADE 25
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
Positions in this class supervise computer systems analysis and design, and application program development, systems testing, maintenance, and implementation.
CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA
Information Technology Specialists 4 supervise lower level Information Resource Management (IRM) staff engaged in systems analysis and application program development activities. They define the scope of projects headed by Information Technology Specialists 3 (Programming) or Information Technology Specialists 3, establish detailed project plans, and set priorities within a multi-project environment.
Information Technology Specialists 4 typically supervise Information Technology Specialists 3 (Programming) or Information Technology Specialists 3.
RELATED CLASSES
Information Technology Specialists 3 (Programming) or Information Technology Specialists 3 supervise and/or perform computer systems analysis, design, application programming and related support activities.
Managers Information Technology Services plan and coordinate systems analysis and application program development activities for an entire agency or for a major systems development group within an agency with large application development staffs.
Information Technology Specialists 4 (Systems Programming) supervise and perform systems programming and implement, maintain and manage an agency's systems software environment or major components of it.
Information Technology Specialists 4 (Database) supervise and perform functions relative to database definition, documentation, structure, installation, organization and management.
Information Technology Specialists 4 (Data Communications) supervise and perform data communications network analysis, design, installation, monitoring, performance evaluation, tuning and maintenance.
ILLUSTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS
· Schedules and directs meetings of project team(s) including agency management, users and other IRM staff to discuss specific application development and systems analysis projects.
· Writes reports to IRM management identifying the costs and benefits as well as the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed project.
· Defines the scope and timeframe for project completion for subordinate staff.
· Monitors the progress of project work plans and may recommend whether or not to continue with a project.
· Assigns and reassigns staff as needed to address project workload.
· Monitors and facilitates the coordination of work between two or more project teams assigned to develop applications that may be the result of the same legislation, that may address similar user needs, that may require coordination at the time of testing and implementation, etc.
· Assists subordinate staff in technical problem resolution as necessary.
· Develops timeframes around critical dates to ensure timely completion of projects.
· Identifies and resolves technical or scheduling problems connected with projects.
· Writes progress reports to management and users outlining what was done, what needs to be done and timeframes for accomplishing tasks.
· After project completion, meets with users to ensure that application programs meet their requirements, that proper documentation has been provided and that users have been sufficiently trained in the use of the new systems.
· Participates in the development and review of IRM standards, policies and procedures.
· Participates in the development of base line training guidelines for IRM technical staff.
· Participates in the preparation and evaluation of RFP's.
· Performs the full range of supervisory duties.
INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION
Information Technology Specialists 4 typically work under the general direction of Manager Information Technology Services positions or other higher level IRM staff. Information Technology Specialists 4 operate with a great deal of independence. Their work must conform to policy and technical standards set by agency and IRM top management. Information Technology Specialists 4 may obtain technical advice from their supervisors, but usually rely on policy directives, professional standards, and agency and vendor technical manuals and procedural guides for direction.
Information Technology Specialists 4 may be expected to be available during off-shift hours to ensure the continuous operation of computer services.
COMPLEXITY
The work of Information Technology Specialists 4 consists of supervising the most complex systems analysis, application programming and systems testing done within the agency's IRM organization. This includes highly complex analysis of program operations, involving interaction with program staff; system design and installation, involving interaction with both program and IRM technical staff; and system maintenance, also involving interaction with program and IRM technical staff.
The consequences of error or neglect on the part of the incumbents are great, affecting the availability of computer services in the agency and affecting the work of user and operations staff.
COMMUNICATION
Information Technology Specialists 4 communicate orally and in writing with a variety of individuals including their supervisors, users, vendors and other IRM staff. They communicate with other IRM staff orally and in writing during system design, implementation and maintenance in order to produce effective and efficient systems, and communicate orally and in writing with program staff and users.
The purposes of their communications are to receive and give assignments, to receive and convey technical information and, ultimately, to meet user needs. Their communications must be complete, accurate and concise.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Information Technology Specialists 4 typically supervise two or more Information Technology Specialists 3 (Programming) or Information Technology Specialists 3. They perform the full range of supervisory responsibilities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
· Knowledge of the hardware, software and their working relationships.
· Knowledge of systems analysis and systems design.
· Knowledge of programming and programming standards.
· Knowledge of computer terminology.
· Knowledge of operating systems/standards/utilities.
· Knowledge of data structures and database design.
· Knowledge of security methods and procedures in a data processing environment.
· Knowledge of testing and debugging techniques.
· Knowledge of project management techniques.
· Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices and ability to implement them.
· Ability to read and understand technical literature.
· Ability to understand complex oral and written instructions.
· Ability to plan, coordinate and direct.
· Ability to conduct systems analysis.
· Ability to design computer systems.
· Ability to implement application programs and systems.
· Ability to conduct post-implementation review and problem resolution.
· Ability to maintain application programs and systems.
· Ability to communicate technical information both orally and in writing.
· Ability to think logically.
· Ability to apply problem-solving techniques.
· Ability to prepare and execute test plans.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
One year of permanent competitive service as an Information Technology Specialist 3 (Programming) or Information Technology Specialist 3.
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.