DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER 1
Career Family: DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER
New Jersey treats Data Processing Systems Programmer 1 as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
This is the senior rung of the Data Processing Systems Programmer series, the level you reach after Data Processing Systems Programmer 2. The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY 2027 range lands between $95,955 and $141,386.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Pay ladder: Data Processing Systems Programmer series
- Data Processing Systems Programmer 2 — $83,582 – $122,832
- Data Processing Systems Programmer 1 — $95,955 – $141,386 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 84th 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.
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, institution, or state college, controls and maintains highly technical operating systems associated with the new generations of computers, and directs the operating system, systems design, and programming function toward the optimum utilization of available hardware/software; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Provides policy guidance and systems/programming assistance as related to operating systems in complex technical studies of agency operations relative to the development/revision of operational procedures. Develops and conducts studies designed to determine effectiveness of programs, policies, methods, procedures, and forms; recommends improved courses of action for maximum utilization under an operating system. Participates in conferences with administrative officers and operating supervisors to discuss new/revised plans, programs, procedures, and the results of evaluation studies. Analyzes, selects, and installs the proper mix of vendor/manufacturer supplied software, and implements new software and operating system modifications minimizing adverse effect 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 systems 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 impact from a hardware/software viewpoint projected on the installation of additional data communications lines, database management systems requirements, and online program development requirements. Determines the accounting/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. Controls modifications/enhancements of software and establishes/enforces appropriate standards on the use of hardware/software. Prepares and directs preparation of charts, programs, and instructions needed to illustrate an operating system and its components, and studies procedural difficulties and operating problems and advises state officers on their solution. Provides policy guidance/assistance in the preparation of schedules outlining essential steps to be taken in the installation/conversion of data processing systems. Studies operating systems and other vendor-provided software to determine programming techniques which will result in optimum timing and storage utilization. Studies technical publications to keep current with new advances in operating systems and with difficulties that may arise in the use of the existing software and their effect on computer programs in use in agency applications. Analyzes error conditions which arise during program testing or actual operation and confers with vendor representatives regarding deficiencies in operating system support or in associated programming manuals. Participates in meetings of user groups to maintain awareness of advances in the field and to join others in suggesting operating system improvements to the manufacturer. Evaluates existing computer configuration of the agency in light of new operating systems facilities and provides assistance to management in the consideration of configuration changes. Prepares clear, technically sound, and accurate reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains records and files. 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 capabilities, programming techniques, and intricacies of a general purpose digital computer and peripheral equipment. Knowledge of agency programs, policies, and objectives. Knowledge of one or more access methods including INDEXED SEQUENTIAL, DIRECT, SEQUENTIAL, VIRTUAL, and telecommunications. Knowledge and understanding of the analysis/correction of procedures and considerations involved in planning, design, and logic of a data processing system. Ability to apply concepts relating to data base/data communications approaches leading to appropriate standards for use by application development staff. Knowledge of techniques to determine systems capacity and cost effectiveness of system utilization, considering conventional batch applications and an online application and program development process. Ability to work alone on highly complex, technical matters. Ability to participate in conferences, and to present results/effects of evaluation studies of present or new operational procedures. Ability to estimate the cost effect of adapting or revising data processing methods. Ability to analyze extensive factual material pertaining to programs and data processing equipment, and to prepare recommendations for new equipment and/or changes/revisions to existing installations. Ability to study, understand, and evaluate software manuals provided by computer manufacturers, and to determine their applicability to agency procedures. Ability to participate with representatives of other operating systems users and make pertinent recommendations. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of computer performance, data processing systems, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 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. Four (4) 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, one (1) year of which shall have been exclusively in systems programming; and four (4) years of professional experience in the 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 four (4) 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, one (1) year of which shall have been exclusively in systems programming. 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 three (3) years of professional experience the generation, maintenance, and/or modification of systems software, and/or in applications programming, and/or in performing technical support functions, one (1) year of which shall have been exclusively in systems programming. 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.