Occ. Code 0815440

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 3 (SYSTEMS PROGRAMMING), GRADE 23	0815440
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST 4 (SYSTEMS PROGRAMING), GRADE 25	0815540

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

            Positions in this series perform systems programming and implement, maintain and manage an agency's systems software environment or major component of it.  Incumbents write, install and modify all types of systems software, evaluate new system software offered by vendors and act as liaison with other of the agency's Information Resources Management (IRM) professionals and vendors.

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA

            Information Technology Specialists 3 (Systems Programming) perform entrance level systems programming and associated work.  Incumbents assist Information Technology Specialists 4 (Systems Programming) in writing, installing and modifying various systems software and in training other IRM professionals in new procedures resulting from the installation of new hardware and software.

            Information Technology Specialists 4 (Systems Programming) act as lead programmers and  supervise and train Information Technology Specialists 3 (Systems Programming).  Incumbents perform advanced systems programming and implement, maintain and manage an agency's systems software environment or major components of it.  They write, install and modify all types of systems software, evaluate new system software releases by vendors and act as liaison with other of the agency's data processing professionals, users and vendors.

RELATED CLASSES

            Positions in the Information Technology Specialist (Programming) Series perform computer systems analysis and application programming.

            Positions in the Information Technology Specialist (Database) Series perform functions relative to datebase definition, documentation, structure, installation, organization and management.

            Positions in the Information Technology Specialist (Data Communications) Series perform data communications, network analysis, design, installation, monitoring, performance evaluation, tuning and maintenance functions.

ILLUSTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS

Installs, modifies and maintains systems software.

-     Installs, tests and maintains systems software, such as operating systems, compilers, language processors and utilities.

-     Codes, tests, installs and maintains customized system software and special purpose system software modules.

-     Develops detailed technical procedures for the installation, customization, testing and maintenance of systems software.

-     Analyzes system software releases from vendors and software configuration changes to determine their effects on existing operations.

-     Installs and modifies for optimum use software packages from vendors, ensuring that all installation standards are maintained.

-     Works with IRM staff to minimize the negative impact of changes on the total system environment.

-     Maintains a library of system software documentation for use by IRM staff.

-     Assists in the preparation and maintenance of material providing information on available software, site standards, equipment and publications.

-     Programs routines for use in the optimization of system software.

-     Evaluates utilities and other programs available from vendors and makes recommendations regarding acquisition.

Participates in performance analysis, system tuning and capacity planning.

-     Works with program and IRM management and users to determine service requirements and develops technical procedures for meeting objectives.

-     Analyzes system performance by utilizing software monitors to gather performance data.

-     Implements software changes to improve performance and balance system activity.

-     Prepares reports for IRM management detailing projected hardware/software needs.

-     Participates in the evaluation, acquisition and installation of hardware/software required to meet projected needs.

Diagnoses and corrects problems.

-     Gathers data as indicated by symptoms of failures.

-     Evaluates or aids in evaluations of system damage.

-     Determines alternative means of restoring system availability and develops and executes emergency procedures.

-     Works with IRM staff and vendors in determining the causes of and implements the solutions to hardware and/or software problems.

-     Provides documentation of software problems to vendors' technical staffs and tests and implements remedial procedures.

- Works with IRM staff and users to establish disaster recovery, back-up and other related site management procedures.

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Selects, installs and maintains an agency's computer security software.

-     Trains staff in the administration of the computer security system.

-     Works with IRM staff to establish and control user identification codes.

-     Develops guidelines and rules to enhance the security system.

-     Monitors the use of the security system to detect violations.

In addition, as an Information Technology Specialist 4 (Systems Programming):

Develops and maintains detailed technical procedures for storage management, capacity planning, system accounting, change control and system management.

Works with program, IRM staff and users to ensure that system management activities are coordinated with the implementation and operation of the agency's application programming systems.

Identifies and resolves system management problems.

Acts as lead systems programmer responsible for implementation of and technical support for specialized system software.

-     Maintains a high level of expertise in the implementation and use of compilers, code generators, systems utilities, security software, advanced function printing, real time systems, etc. and provides consultative services to application programmers, operations staff and other users of such software.

-     Analyzes the operational environment into which specialized system software will be integrated and develops technical procedures to accomplish the integration.

-     Acts as the primary liaison with vendors supporting specialized system software.

-     Supervises and trains Information Technology Specialists 3 (Systems Programming) and provides on-the-job training related to systems programming to application programmers and operations personnel.

INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION

            Information Technology Specialists 3 (Systems Programming) work under administrative and technical supervision from an Information Technology Specialist 4 (Systems Programming).  Positions in the latter class act as lead programmers and are responsible for the more complex system programming projects 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 Specialists 3 (Systems Programming) have access to Information Technology Specialists 4 (Systems Programming) for technical advice and assistance.  Direction is also available in the form of policy directives, professional standards, and agency and vendor technical manuals and procedural guides.

            Information Technology Specialists 4 (Systems Programming) usually work under supervision from a Manager Information Technology Services 1 (Systems Programming) or a Manager Information Technology Services 1 (Technical).  In some organizations, they 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 (Systems Programming) 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 the agency's systems programming technical experts.

            Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Systems Programming) are expected to be available during off-shift hours to ensure continuous operation of computer services.

COMPLEXITY

            The work of Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Systems Programming) is complex and requires specialized training and experience.  Systems programming is a highly technical specialty within the field of data processing.  Hardware changes may require changes in system software.  Consequently, Information Technology Specialists (Systems Programming) must continually modify system software to accommodate change and to balance system activity for optimum effectiveness and efficiency.  In addition, their work requires interaction with users as well as other IRM processing personnel.

            The consequences of error or neglect on the part of Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Systems Programming) are great, affecting the availability of some or all computer services in the agency and affecting the work of users, applications programmers, datebase programmers, data communications specialists and operations personnel.

COMMUNICATION

            Information Technology Specialists 3 and 4 (Systems Programming) communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of individuals including their supervisors, users, vendors and other IRM staff.  They communicate with IRM personnel verbally and in writing during systems design, implementation and maintenance in order to produce effective and efficient systems, and communicate verbally with end-users in order to meet their needs.  The purposes of their communications are to receive and give assignments, to receive and convey technical information and, ultimately, to meet user needs and meet the agency's performance standards for systems availability.  Their communications must be complete, accurate and concise.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

            Information Technology Specialist 3 (Systems Programming) positions are typically non-supervisory.

            Information Technology Specialists 4 (Systems Programming) usually exercise both technical and administrative supervision over one to three Information Technology Specialists 3 (Systems Programming).  If a position is the only systems programming position in an agency, it may be classified as  Information Technology Specialist 4 (Systems Programming) 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 (Systems Programming) :

-     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.

-     Knowledge of security methods and procedures in a data processing environment.

-     Knowledge of testing and debugging techniques.

-     Ability to install, test and maintain system software and operating system products.

-     Ability to read and understand technical literature.

-     Ability to understand complex, oral and written instructions.

-     Ability to conduct post-implementation review and problem resolution.

-     Ability to communicate technical information both orally and in writing.

-     Ability to think logically.

-     Ability to understand and act upon technical instructions.

For Information Technology Specialist 4 (Systems Programming):

-     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 (Systems Programming):

            One year of permanent competitive service as an Information Technology Specialist 2 or Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programming).

For Information Technology Specialist 4 (Systems Programming):

            One year of permanent competitive service as an Information Technology Specialist 3 (Systems Programming).

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.