ASSISTANT CHIEF, DATA PROCESSING OPERATIONS
Assistant Chief, Data Processing Operations is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
It expects an associate's degree and 5 years of relevant experience. The published schedule for this title runs $68,455 to $95,846, but it is frozen at an older rate and these titles are typically paid off-schedule, so actual pay is often higher.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of the Chief, Data Processing Operations in one of the Data Centers listed above, assists with the supervision of data processing equipment operations, data preparation, input/output expediting, job scheduling, workflow control, tape library, and supplies; interacts with the Systems and Programming, Technical Services, Resource Development, and Data Base Administration units for production, design, testing, conversion, security, and maintenance of data and information resources and processing; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Directs the proper assignment and utilization of employees; ensures that all responsibilities are defined and understood, that effective communication exists among all employees, and that performance objectives and priorities are established in concert with those of the Data Center.
- Ensures that job scheduling and workflow methods and procedures are established and maintained throughout the Data Processing Operations unit to maximize the amount of work completed while keeping unit processing costs as low as possible.
- Coordinates, with representatives of the Technical Services and Data Base Administration units, the scheduling of operating systems, telecommunications, and database software installation and maintenance; provides necessary operations support.
- Continually monitors the quality of production output; surveys users to identify problems with the quality and timeliness of reports and deliveries: implements organizational or procedural changes to ensure a constant high quality level.
- Maintains contact with telecommunications users to ensure user satisfaction with the reliability and availability of on-line systems; advises Technical Services and vendor representatives of recommended improvements; develops and implements improvements to operational procedures.
- Reviews incident reports and downtime logs so as to identify and define all operations reliability problems related to personnel, equipment, operating software, applications programs, or environmental conditions and takes timely corrective action.
- Enforces security procedures and implements control measures for equipment, data, and program protection as provided by the Technical Services, Systems and Programming, and Data Base Administration units.
- Ensures that adequate and efficient levels of supplies and materials are in inventory; approves all requests for the necessary restocking.
- Assists and cooperates with the Technical Services, Resource Development, Data Base Administration, and Systems and Programming units in areas of responsibility related to these units.
- Coordinates, with representatives of the various vendors, the scheduling of equipment maintenance.
- Assumes the duties of the Chief during periods of absence to ensure the continued regular operation of the unit.
- Keeps abreast of new state-of-the-art developments in data processing products, services, and techniques including teleprocessing and database technologies, and applies them where advantageous to Data Center operations.
- Coordinates the training needs of all operations staff with supervisory personnel for effective training, utilization, and career advancement of employees.
- Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
- Works with Resource Development and vendor representatives in planning and scheduling hardware installations, removals, or reconfiguration.
- Prepares offsite storage requirements and coordinates with Resource Development contingency planning and backup processing.
- Prepares information required by Data Center management to develop realistic and beneficial Data Processing Operations policies and objectives for the Data Center.
- Assists the Chief in the preparation of budget requests for Data Processing Operations.
- Prepares, clear, accurate, and concise technical reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Maintains essential records and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associates degree in Data Processing.
Experience in the study of work methods and processes, the analysis of varied types of data, the design and preparation of systems and programs, the operation of multiprogramming computer systems and work in the Data Processing support areas of input/output control, scheduling, or reliability support may be substituted for the required education on a year- for-year basis.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in computer operations, systems analysis and programming, systems programming, scheduling and/or technical support experience in the data processing field, two (2) years of which shall have involved leadership responsibilities for production-type computer operations in a multiprocessing, multiprogramming computer center, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
FOR
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the principles of production systems and work efficiency as related to Data Processing Operations in a large scale, multicomputer Data Center.
- Knowledge of the security and environmental control measures required for site, data, and program protection.
- Knowledge of the current capabilities, operating characteristics, and programming requirements of major and most generally used hardware and software.
- Knowledge of the means available to identify and correct operations reliability problems. Knowledge of Department and Data Center programs, policies, plans, and objectives.
- Ability to participate in the planning, organization, and direction of the operation of a large scale data processing facility functioning as a service center.
- Ability to make studies of procedural difficulties and operating problems and to develop solutions.
- Ability to appraise the operating efficiency of data processing systems and to develop courses of action for the effective utilization of existing facilities and staff.
- Ability to plan ahead in terms of budget, staff, and workload.
- Ability to develop solutions to production reliability problems.
- Ability to work harmoniously and communicate effectively with various levels of department and Data Center staff and other organizations.
- Ability to identify training requirements and recommend appropriate training for all data processing operations personnel.
- Ability to recognize and implement security measures to protect data and facilities.
- Ability to develop and implement performance reporting and control procedures.
- Ability to make timely and accurate decisions for reassigning personnel or rescheduling and changing priorities under emergency conditions.
- Ability to understand users' service requirements and to resolve problems in a mutually satisfactory fashion.
- Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise technical reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Bachelors degree in any field may be substituted for the Associates degree in Data Processing.
A Bachelors or Masters degree in Data Processing may be substituted for one (1) years of the nonsupervisory experience.
SPECIAL NOTE SUBSTITUTING
Any formal data processing training by any organization may be submitted for consideration and evaluation as possibly being equated to a specific number of college credits. The Department of Personnel will review the course content and all the other factors involved and make a determination.