DATA PROCESSING ANALYST 1

Code: 53246 Unknown Unknown

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 in one of the data centers listed above or in a subordinate computer center in a state or local government department, agency, institution, or state college, works alone on critical/complex projects or as a Senior Analyst member of a project team, works at the analysis, design. development, and implementation of' information processing applications which utilize current and required software operating systems, computer systems, multiprogramming technology, data base management techniques, data communications protocol; does other related duties.

Examples of work

Performs system studies for new developments including determination of what a system must do, what are outputs/inputs; reviews/analyzes present system, if any, and determines final user requirements through interviews, study of user operation, collection of all forms, and flowcharting of work. Performs problem definition of new development projects including gathering of data, determining functional interactions, benefit identifications, determining approach methods, developing a work plan, determining costs of the project including preliminary evaluations, hardware, software, personnel, and so forth. Performs analysis /design activities leading to documentation of system approaches through structured analysis and programming techniques, and recognizing necessary interfaces between applications software, system software, communications software, and data base management requirements. At a state college supervises the local system program maintenance function. Develops application systems designed to be run on electronic data processing equipment utilizing required and current software operating systems, computer systems, and multiprogramming technology. Develops or oversees development of data base design including file layouts/organization; segments application design characteristics into programs; develops decision tables, logic tables, logic flowcharts, and other documentation as required by agency or statewide EDP standards; prepares program test data for use in program development. May assist the programmer in analyzing program requirements to determine the programming language best suited to its needs, and oversees other program development activities. Supervises work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. On completion of program(s), is responsible for: obtaining operating system control parameters and program deck(s); reviewing program documentation for conformity to agency or statewide EDP standards: reviewing program output for conformity to specifications; and accepting accountability for maintaining program and program documentation files until application completion. Once program development is completed, oversees parallel testing including technical/clerical application systems functions; analyzes the application to improve user EDP operations production efficiency; provides training/assistance to application users and EDP operations. Organizes and prepares application system documentation to EDP operations and application for user review and sign-off, and makes documentation or systems corrections. Maintains a practicing in-depth knowledge of technologies including hardware, software, communications, data base management, distributed processing techniques, and online program development techniques. Organizes and directs assigned workers to complete series of complex problem areas of electronic data processing. Participates in conferences with administrative officers and operating supervisors to discuss new or revised plans, programs, procedures, and results of evaluation studies. Prepares and supervises preparation of schedules outlining essential steps to be taken in the installation of and/or conversions of like or different generations of data processing systems. Prepares and directs preparation of charts, programs, and instructions needed to illustrate, explain, and implement data processing procedures/programs; studies procedural difficulties and operating problems and advises state officers on their solution. Appraises adequacy/efficiency of current data processing systems and assists units and users in developing the optimum organizational structure required for utilization of existing, new, or expanded functions. Prepares and supervises preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, and other factual reports based on surveys, investigations, and studies containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains 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.

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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of forms, flow charts, decision tables, and block diagrams and their use. Knowledge of the objective of EDP programs. Knowledge of terminology used in EDP. Knowledge of the modularized approach to programming and its application. Knowledge of the numbering/addressing systems used in computers; for example, decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal. Knowledge of applicable programming languages. Knowledge of access methods. Knowledge of facilities provided by operating systems software associated with current generations of serial, rnultiprogrammed, and multiprocessing computer systems. Knowledge of principles of organization and management, and planning techniques such as PERT, CPM, and GANTT. Knowledge of programming techniques related to subscripting, indexing, and arrays. Knowledge of current electronic data processing equipment for purposes of hardware selection and upgrading based on application design requirements. Knowledge of information system design concepts utilizing data base/data communications in both an online and batch applications. Knowledge of capabilities and operating characteristics of hardware, software, communications database management, distributive processing, and online program development. Knowledge of procedures/techniques involved in evaluation/analysis of existing data processing equipment installations as it relates to servicing application and user needs. Knowledge of remote job entry implementation and effectiveness. Knowledge of the design and development of data base/data management systems. Knowledge of job control language and associated spooling commands. Ability to analyze extensive factual material pertaining to programs and electronic data processing equipment, and prepare recommendations for new equipment and/or changes to existing hardware. Ability to participate with other technical groups in the ongoing observation/review of programs, applications, and systems to ensure effective and cost-beneficial use of computing resources from a state-of-the-art vantage point. Ability to supervise the analysis/implementation of local system modifications. Ability to communicate with coworkers, and to develop/maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff and with others interested in or concerned with the work of the unit. Ability to supervise assigned technical/clerical personnel during application system parallel runs and where task teams are required and utilized. Ability to organize and direct conversions of generations or conversions of computer systems and software operating systems. Ability to prepare charts, programs, and instructions necessary to implement, illustrate, and explain EDP procedures/programs. Ability to prepare clear, concise instructions and to use the English language with reasonable proficiency. Ability to prepare clear, concise user, operations, and/or programming documentation in conjunction with agency or statewide EDP standards. Ability to prepare test data to check specified conditions of a new and/or modified program. Ability to profit from an in-service training program in EDP procedures, methods, and techniques. Ability to reason logically for purposes of EDP programming or systems analysis. Ability to prepare forms, flowcharts, decision tables, and block diagrams. Ability to learn new programming languages. Ability to analyze and develop applications for a time-sharing environment. Ability to supervise development of programs and applications for computer aided instruction (CAI) in state college installations. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports of programming matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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 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 essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot he 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 dunes listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not he listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Three (3) years of professional experience in the design and preparation of application systems for electronic data processing equipment utilizing current operating systems and multiprogramming technology, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; and four (4) years of professional experience in the analysis or programming of data processing systems, the operation of multiprogramming computer systems, or work in the EDP support areas of input/output control, scheduling, or reliability support OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of professional experience in the design and preparation of application systems for electronic data processing equipment utilizing current operating systems and multiprogramming technology, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a Data Processing Certificate in systems analysis from an approved business or EDP school, equivalent to one (1) year of training; and two (2) years of professional experience in the design and preparation of application systems for electronic data processing equipment utilizing current operating systems and multiprogramming technology, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; and four (4) years of professional experience in the analysis or programming of data processing systems, the operation of multiprogramming computer systems, or work in the EDP support areas of input/output control, scheduling, or reliability support. OR Possession of a Data Processing Certificate in systems analysis from an approved business or EDP school, equivalent to one (1) year of training; and possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of professional experience in the design and preparation of application systems for electronic data processing equipment utilizing current operating systems and multiprogramming technology, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in Computer Science from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of professional experience in the design and preparation of application systems for electronic data processing equipment utilizing current operating systems and multiprogramming technology, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.