DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER 2
Career Family: DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER
Data Processing Systems Programmer 2 is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
On pay it sits at the foot of the Data Processing Systems Programmer ladder. One promotion up is Data Processing Systems Programmer 1, whose band tops out about $18,554 higher. On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $83,582 to $122,832, and state payroll currently lists about 82 people in the title, most of them at Office of Information Technology.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 6 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 6 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Data Processing Systems Programmer 2 appears on the State payroll at 7 departments, most of them at Office of Information Technology. It is also used at one independent authority, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
State departments
Independent authorities
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Student Assistance Authority | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Data Processing Systems Programmer series
- Data Processing Systems Programmer 2 — $83,582 – $122,832 (this title)
- Data Processing Systems Programmer 1 — $95,955 – $141,386
Promoting to Data Processing Systems Programmer 1 raises the top of the band by about $18,554. Its top salary lands around the 69th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 82 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $127,826. The agencies employing the most are:
- Office of Information Technology (65)
- Labor (9)
- Human Services (4)
- Election Law Enforcement (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 a data center or in a subordinate computer center in a state department, agency, or institution, controls and/or implements and maintains highly technical operating systems associated with new generations of computers to function toward optimum utilization of available hardware/software using comprehensive knowledge of the operating system function; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Studies 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 accordance with established standards. Prepares and directs preparation of 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; prepares system control statements for 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 counsel/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; confers with planning/technical services about deficiencies in operating system support or in associated program manuals. May assist in developing conversion plans, in conducting parallel testing to critique the application to enable production efficiency, and in training users and operations data processing operations staff. May assist in planning machine/software modifications to meet increased workloads. May assist in evaluating hardware/software needs, and vendor hardware, software, application systems design proposals, and documentation. Controls system library updates, updates of programs, and system revisions in accordance with established standards. Maintains backup libraries of systems software to enable off-site processing in the event of an emergency. Studies technical publications to keep current with new advances in operating systems and with difficulties that may arise in the use of existing software and their effect on computer programs in use in agency applications. Prepares clear, technically sound, and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains records and files. Analyzes, selects, and 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. Consults directly with project managers and their customers on hardware/software advantages and limitations, or in quantifying new requirements for operating software/hardware to satisfy new development and program maintenance. Analyzes, selects, and 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. Evaluates and documents the impact, from a hardware/software viewpoint, projected on the installation of additional data communications lines, data base management systems requirements, and online program development requirements. Determines the accounting or resource utilization statistics required from the system to aid in proper charging and costing for resource utilization. Installs data base/data communications software to ensure a working interface and effective performance between applications software, systems software, and installed hardware. Plans and schedules assignments of systems programmers as well as develops necessary training for data center personnel relative to hardware/software currently installed and projected for installation. Controls modifications/enhancements of software and establishes/enforces appropriate standards on the use of hardware/software. Will be required to learn how 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 the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of procedures/techniques involved in making estimates/analysis of the capacity of existing data processing equipment installations and of the degree of utilization. Knowledge of computer programming design considerations and their differences, and applications of various programing 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 techniques used to determine systems capacity and cost effectiveness of system utilization, considering conventional batch applications and an online application and program development process. Ability to apply concepts relating to data base/data communications approaches leading to appropriate standards or use by application development staff. 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. Ability to write clear and concise instructions. Ability to prepare clear, concise user/operations/programming documentation in accordance 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 operation systems, computers, application systems programs, and communications software/hardware. Ability to apply temporary/permanent fixes to resolve operating problems quickly and efficiently, and to coordinate with vendors or agency personnel to accomplish the same. Ability to work alone on highly complex, technical matters. Ability to learn how 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 if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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. 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 generation, maintenance, and/or modification of systems software, and/or in applications programming, and/or in performing technical support functions within a direct access device environment; and four (4) years of professional experience in design/analysis of systems and/or applications programming, and/or the operation or maintenance of multiprogramming computer systems, and/or work in the data processing support areas of input/output control, scheduling, or technical support. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of professional experience in the generation, maintenance, and/or modification of systems software, and/or in applications programming, and/or in performing technical support functions within a direct access device environment. OR Possession of a master's degree in computer science, data processing, management information, or related computer area from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of professional experience in the generation, maintenance, and/or modification of systems software, and/or in applications programming, and/or in performing technical support functions within a direct access device environment. 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). "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.