Occ. Code 0815430
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 3 (DATA COMMUNICATIONS), GRADE 23 |
0815430 |
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 4 (DATA COMMUNICATIONS), GRADE 25 |
0815520 |
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
Positions in this series perform data communications network design, analysis, capacity planning, installation, monitoring, performance evaluation, tuning and maintenance. The network(s) include all data communications hardware, software and communication facilities required to receive and transmit data on an inter and intra‑agency basis. This equipment includes modems, diagnostic equipment, hubs, bridges, routers, multi-plexors, data switches, front-end processors, gateways, servers, minicomputers, personal computers, printers, etc.
CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA
Information Technology Specialists 3 (Data Communications) performs entrance level data communications and associated work and may supervise computer programmer analysts, computer operators, and other staff who support network related activities. Incumbents assist Information Technology Specialists 4 (Data Communications) in writing, installing, configuring and modifying data communications and network operating system software. They also assist in designing, planning, monitoring, troubleshooting and problem resolution for networks and the network computing infrastructure.
Information Technology Specialists 4 (Data Communications) act as lead programmers and technicians and supervise and train Information Technology Specialists 3 (Data Communications) and other network support staff. Incumbents perform advanced data communications work, including data communications programming, network design, cost analysis, network computing infrastructure planning, performance evaluation and problem resolution, and maintenance of the overall data communications and network computing environment.
RELATED CLASSES
Positions in the Computer Operator Series operate computer hardware, including data communications‑related hardware.
Positions in the Information Technology Specialist (Programming) Series perform computer systems analysis and application programming.
Positions in the Information Technology Specialist (Systems Programming) Series perform computer systems programming and implement, maintain and manage an agency's system software environment or major components of it.
Positions in the Information Technology Specialist (Database) Series perform functions relative to datebase definition, documentation, structure, installation, organization and management.
ILLUSTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS
Conducts and/or participates in network definition and analysis studies.
- Conducts and/or participates in meetings with management, users and Information Resources Management (IRM) staff to determine the purpose and scope (requirements) of the proposed network effort.
- Reviews agency connectivity and access requirements.
- Documents current network with regard to communication hardware, software, and datacommunication facilities.
- Conducts and/or participates in meetings with IRM staff and users to discuss and identify various options for meeting network requirements.
- Analyzes and/or recommends network solutions to meet connectivity and access requirements.
Designs the proposed network based on requirements defined during the analysis effort.
- Develops a network design including all hardware, software and communication facilities for the new or modified network.
- Analyzes communication and network operating system software releases from vendors and software configuration changes to determine their effects on existing operations.
- Reviews and obtains approval for the network design from management.
Participates in the selection of network hardware, software and maintenance services.
- Reviews and evaluates new technology as it may impact network standards and projected growth.
- Compares specifications and descriptions of new equipment and software packages to existing ones to determine whether their acquisition would be advantageous and cost effective.
- Analyzes proposed network specifications to determine whether they would require new hardware, software and communication facilities.
- Prepares or assists in the preparation and evaluation of the RFP.
- Makes recommendations for acquisition of network hardware, software and maintenance services.
Orders, installs, modifies and maintains network hardware, software and communication facilities.
- Prepares and/or assists with the development of detailed technical procedures for the installation, customization, testing and maintenance of network hardware and software.
- Codes and/or assists with the modification of communication and network operating system software for optimum use of packages from vendors, ensuring that all installation standards are maintained.
- Installs and/or assists with the installation of communication hardware and wiring.
- Maintains and/or assists users and other IRM staff with software installed on microcomputer networks.
- Works with other IRM staff to establish and maintain security for the network.
- Assists with and/or identifies and orders the communication components.
Participates in the network implementation process.
- Develops and/or assists with the development of a network plan.
- Verifies all levels of network testing (e.g., systems, user and operations) have been performed satisfactorily.
- Works with users and IRM staff to minimize the negative impact of changes on the total network environment.
- Works with users and IRM staff to establish and perform acceptance tests on new network hardware and software.
- Schedules all implementation activities.
- Conducts and/or assists in training of user and/or IRM staff.
- Reviews implemented network projects for effectiveness, accomplishment of stated goals and priorities, and evaluates compliance with existing requirements for controls and standards.
Develops and/or assists with documentation preparation.
- Prepares and/or assists with the preparation and maintenance of documentation for the network.
Monitors and evaluates data communications network performance and implements network improvements.
- Works with program and IRM management and users to determine network service requirements and develops technical procedures for meeting the objectives.
- Monitors and/or assists in the monitoring, analysis and evaluation of data communications network performance.
- Implements network hardware and/or software changes to improve performance and balance network activity.
Participates in the development of network recovery procedures and implements the procedures during network failure.
- Works with IRM staff and users to establish network recovery, back-up and other network management procedures.
- Provides documentation of network hardware and software problems to vendors' technical staffs and other IRM staff.
- Works with the vendors and other IRM staff in determining causes and alternative means of restoring network availability, tests and implements a solution for the network hardware and/or software problems.
Participates in capacity planning and acquisition of network hardware and software.
- Participates in the evaluation of network hardware and software required to meet projected needs.
- Prepares reports for IRM management detailing projected network hardware and software needs.
- Participates in planning, installation, configuration and technical administration of servers and other network computing resources.
- Participates in the acquisition of necessary network hardware and software.
In addition, as an Information Technology Specialist 4 (Data Communications):
Acts as lead data communications specialist responsible for design, testing, implementation, monitoring, maintenance and problem resolution for networks and network computing facilities.
- Works with users, vendors and other IRM staff to design cost‑effective networks, including technical specifications for all data communications hardware and software components.
- Performs network capacity planning on the basis of user requirements and network utilization data.
- Evaluates new hardware and software releases and makes recommendations regarding their acquisition.
- Acts as primary liaison with vendors in connection with product evaluation and problem resolution.
- Monitors overall availability, reliability, performance and cost‑effectiveness of the data communications network and makes or recommends improvements.
- Assists in the preparation and evaluation of RFP's.
- Supervises and coordinates the design, installation, testing and performance evaluation of data communications hardware and software systems.
- Conducts simulation tests to identify incompatible and underutilized equipment and hardware and software deficiencies.
- Evaluates and oversees the installation of security systems to assure network integrity.
- Analyzes requirements for specialized network interfaces and designs and develops specialized software for such interfaces or recommends its acquisition from vendors.
- Supervises and trains Information Technology Specialists 3 (Data Communications) and provides on-the-job training related to data communication to application programmers and operations personnel.
INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION
Information Technology Specialists 3 (Data Communications) work under administrative and technical supervision from an Information Technology Specialist 4 (Data Communications). Positions in the latter class act as lead technicians and are responsible for the more complex data communications work for an agency.
Incumbents work with considerable independence within the scope of their assignments. Their work must conform to policy and technical standards set by agency and IRM top management. Information Technology Specialist 3 (Data Communications) have access to Information Technology Specialists 4 (Data Communications) for technical advice and assistance. Direction is also available in the form of policy directives, professional standards, and agency and vendor manuals and procedural guides.
Information Technology Specialists 4 (Data Communications) usually work under supervision from a Manager Information Technology Services 1 (Data Communications) or a Manager Information Technology Specialist 1 (Technical). In some organizations, they may work under supervision from a Manager, M‑3 level position.
Incumbents work 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 (Data Communications) may obtain technical advice from their supervisors, but usually rely for direction on policy directives, agency and vendor technical manuals and procedural guides and professional standards. Often, they are an agency's data communications technical expert.
Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Data Communications) are expected to be available during off-shift hours to ensure the continuous operation of computer services.
COMPLEXITY
The work of Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Data Communications) is complex and requires specialized training and experience. Incumbents work with both data communications hardware and software. Therefore, problem identification and resolution is complicated. Another complicating factor is that incumbents must know and understand a great variety of data communications‑related hardware and software. The consequences of error or neglect on the part of the incumbents are great, affecting the availability of some or all computer services in the agency. This directly affects the work of users, application programmers, datebase programmers and operations personnel.
COMMUNICATION
Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Data Communications) communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of individuals including their supervisors, users, vendors and other IRM staff. They communicate with other IRM personnel verbally and in writing during network design, implementation and maintenance in order to produce effective and efficient systems.
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 Specialist 3 (Data Communications) positions are usually non‑supervisory, but in some organizations incumbents may supervise programmer analysts, computer operators and other IRM staff in network related work.
Information Technology Specialist 4 (Data Communications) positions usually exercise both technical and administrative supervision over one to three Information Technology Specialists 3 (Data Communications). If a position is the only data communications position in an agency, it may be classified at the Information Technology Specialist 4 (Data Communications) level with no subordinates. Technical supervision exercised includes training. Administrative supervision exercised includes the full range of such supervision, including performance evaluations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
For Information Technology Specialist 3 and 4 (Data Communications):
- Knowledge of the hardware, software and their working relationships.
- Knowledge of data communication hardware and software.
- Knowledge of network standards and protocols.
- 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 security methods and procedures in a data processing environment.
- Knowledge of testing and debugging techniques.
- Ability to read and understand technical literature.
- Ability to understand complex oral and written instructions.
- Ability to design networks.
- Ability to implement and test network products.
- Ability to conduct post-implementation review and problem resolution.
- Ability to maintain network software.
- Ability to communicate technical information both orally and in writing.
- Ability to think logically.
For Information Technology Specialist 4 (Data Communications):
- Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices and the ability to implement them.
- Ability to plan, coordinate and direct.
- Ability to prepare technical training material.
- Ability to conduct technical training.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
For Information Technology Specialist 3 (Data Communications):
One year of permanent competitive service as an Information Technology Specialist 2 , Information Technology Spcialist 2 (Programming), or Supervising Computer Operator.
For Information Technology Specialist 4 (Data Communications):
One year of permanent competitive service as an Information Technology Specialist 3 (Data Communications), Grade 23.
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.