INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

Examples of work

• Studies agency work processes and methods.
• Prepares flowcharts and block diagrams and codes program modules of the least complexity for application systems development.
• Performs desk checking of program modules and prepares remote testing documentation prior to submitting programs to information processing operations for testing.
• Checks program module coding to determine program deficiencies and corrects coding as necessary.
• Prepares systems control statements and utility program parameters for later use by data processing analysts in obtaining information processing operations signoff and may assist in conducting application parallel testing.
• Maintains production application programs/program modules as necessary.
• May operate electronic data processing and peripheral equipment to test coded programs in analyzing/correcting program error stops.
• May study operating systems and available software to determine which programming technique will result in optimum timing, storage utilization, and overall efficiency.
• Prepares complete program documentation in accord with established standards.
• May prepare charts, programs, and instructions needed to illustrate an operating system and its components.
• Studies procedural difficulties and operating problems and confers with analysts, programmers, and supervisors toward resolution.
• Combines program modules into a complete executable program to test module interaction for production purposes, and prepares system control statements for the purpose of cataloging application programs.
• Monitors production reliability, performs detailed analysis of data processing related operational problems, and determines causes and applies temporary or permanent fixes.
• Provides technical assistance to other data processing personnel on problems dealing with operating systems, computers, utility programs, system control parameters software/hardware, and application system programs.
• Analyzes error conditions which arise during testing or operations, and confers with planning/technical services about deficiencies in operating system support or in associated program manuals.
• May control system library updates, updates of programs, and system revisions in accord with established standards.
• Installs the proper mix of vendor/manufacturer supplied software, and implements new software and operating system modifications minimizing adverse effects on current production and testing systems
• Installs proprietary software packages designed to measure/improve system utilization including hardware/software monitors.
• Performs software systems studies, hardware capacity analysis, and hardware/software projections to ensure adequate machine resource for projected workloads.
• Documents the impact, from a hardware/software viewpoint, projected on the installation of additional data communications lines, database management systems requirements, and online program development requirements.
• Installs and maintains database/data communications software to ensure a working interface and effective performance between applications software, systems software, and installed hardware.
• May develop, implement, and maintain multi-network, multi-user environment.
• Maintains availability of centralized, decentralized, and remote network services including but not limited to file service, printing, local electronic mail, Internet electronic mail, office applications, remote access, Internet web connectivity, and mainframe gateway.
• May track/troubleshoot/correct network related issues either logged through the help desk and/or recorded through the monitoring of the network.
• Installs software updates and patches to network operating systems, server-based applications, and centralized services.
• Installs hardware upgrades for network servers, gateways, and associated telecommunication devices.
• Plans, configures, and troubleshoots networked devices including but not limited to printers, personal computers, facsimile, modems, plotters, and scanners.
• May assist in the network design and planning.
• May install or troubleshoot network wiring.
• Provides support in the maintenance of mainframe connections.
• May administer user access to network resources and adds/modifies/deletes user accounts for file/print and dial-in servers.
• May administer electronic mail gateways, both internal and Internet.
• Diagnoses and repairs network hardware.
• Monitors performance of servers and telecommunications devices (such as hubs, switches, and routers); installs, troubleshoots, tunes and optimizes such devices to maximize performance and throughput, and minimize downtime.
• Checks and responds appropriately to errors logged by the server and/or network devices.
• Researches network security issues and recommends tools and processes to management.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation (manual or through an online log file) of all errors of high severity and action taken to correct the error.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation and schematics of the network configuration, including local and remote sites.
• Provides technical support to end-users.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Computer Science or Computer/Information Technology.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in at least one of the following areas: the design and preparation of programs for electronic data processing utilizing current operating systems, modification of systems software and multiprogramming technology; or the development, maintenance, or installation of application programs; or in performing technical support functions within a direct access device environment, or the development, implementation, and maintenance of multi-network, multi-user Local Area Networks (LAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), and/or Wide Area Networks (WAN) environment.

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 basics of computer systems hardware. Knowledge of remote job entry. Knowledge of facilities generally provided by disk, tape, and systems software associated with past/current operating systems. Knowledge of system control statements and utility program parameters for use by information processing operations. Knowledge of various database access methods. Knowledge of objectives of information processing programs/terminology. Knowledge of procedures/techniques involved in evaluation/analysis of existing information processing equipment installations and the degree of utilization made thereof. Knowledge of computer programming design considerations and their differences, and applications of various programming languages. Knowledge of one or more access methods including INDEXED SEQUENTIAL, DIRECT, SEQUENTIAL, VIRTUAL, and telecommunications. Knowledge of numbering systems used in computer systems including decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal. Knowledge of the analysis and correction of procedures and considerations involved in planning, design, and logic of a data processing system. Knowledge of information systems design concepts and principles of production systems, and work efficiency techniques. Knowledge of the modularized approach to programming. Knowledge of and ability to apply concepts relating to data base/data communications approaches. Knowledge of techniques used to determine systems capacity and cost effectiveness of system utilization considering conventional batch applications and an online application and program development process. Knowledge of industry standard Network Operating Systems (NOS). Knowledge of basic networking concepts. Knowledge of server hardware and associated software. Knowledge of telecommunication components used to interconnect servers to communication devices and clients (PCs and other devices). Knowledge of countermeasures for dealing with network security and virus protection. Knowledge of techniques to determine system capacity and cost effectiveness of system utilization. Ability, depending on agency requirements, to operate computer equipment for purposes of becoming familiar with operating systems software and for analyzing/correcting program errors. Ability to prepare forms, flowcharts, decision tables, and block diagrams. Ability to program in a time sharing environment after a period of training. Ability to develop and conduct training programs in data processing as they pertain to operating systems characteristics and related use. Ability to use agency work processes/methods after a period of training. Ability to write clear, concise instructions and to use the English language with reasonable proficiency. Ability to prepare clear, concise user/operations/programming documentation in accord with operating needs and established standards. Ability to prepare test data to check all specified conditions of a new or modified program. Ability to perform studies to determine economic, technical, and operational feasibility of employing advanced data processing/computer science techniques to improve operational procedures. Ability to provide technical assistance on problems relating to operating systems, computers, application systems programs, and communications software/hardware. Ability to develop and understand network schematics. Ability to apply temporary/permanent fixes to resolve operating problems quickly/efficiently, and to coordinate with vendors or agency personnel to accomplish same. Ability to schedule and organize work activities and identify/resolve problems which arise. Ability to interact with others and come to consensus on various issues. Ability to work independently or in a team environment. 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 be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

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. Technical support functions include experience in resolution of online production and/or communications network problems, and/or code modification, testing, and debugging of program modules in an online environment, and/or space allocation and control of direct access storage devices (DASD management). A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science may be substituted for one (1) year of indicated experience. SPECIAL NOTE ON SUBSTITUTING EXPERIENCE FOR EDUCATION A general Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the Associate's degree. Experience in the study of work methods/processes, analysis of varied types of data, design and preparation of systems/programs, operation of multiprogramming computer systems and work in the data processing support areas of input/output control or reliability support may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience. Evidence of formal training in Computer Science/Information Technology received at an accredited institution may be submitted with your application for evaluation by the Department of Personnel for possible credit. These training courses will be examined to see how they compare, both in hours/content, to college courses to which they equate, sixteen (16) training hours being equal to one (1) college credit. In house training courses will not be accepted as meeting this criterion; thus, they will not be evaluated. SN4022N/AP23-SN3522N/AP21- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. MER 08/04/2007