INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS SPECIALIST, B51

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving the planning and development of automated applications systems to support the business needs of an organization.  This includes review and analysis of user functions and activities, evaluation of available resources and current systems, and the development of appropriate programs or systems.  Works with users, management and others to identify and define long and short-range information services requirements.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Reviews and analyzes organization business needs; confers with users to evaluate requirements, discuss solutions and develop plan of approach.
• Analyzes and designs program logic, screen layouts, reports, station criteria and testing criteria to support development of new or enhanced systems; evaluates prototypes, design techniques, tools and instructional methods.
• Performs all aspects of systems design including writing required programs, testing and evaluation of new processes and implementation of new applications; writes, tests, debugs and documents software.
• Prepares development request documentation to support new or enhanced systems and applications; translates into detailed functional requirements, technical designs and specifications.
• Conducts or coordinates user acceptance, performance stress, regression and integration testing; makes changes and corrections as needed.
• Participates in structured walk-throughs and other activities to review systems and provide training and support; provides technical assistance, instruction and training to lower-level staff.
• Performs ongoing maintenance and review of applications systems and programs; identifies problems and develops appropriate solutions.
• Participates in the planning, design, development, integration and implementation of software and technology.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family has four levels which are distinguished by the level of complexity of specific job assignments, the extent of knowledge and experience with specific operating systems, the level of expertise required for the completion of assigned projects, or the responsibility for the supervision of others.

Level I:                                    Code:  B51A                             Salary Band:  J

This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing entry level work in a training status to build their skills in  application development and analysis methodologies.  In this role they will be assigned tasks which involve writing programs for routine maintenance or changes in application systems, writing individual program screens or reports, and similar activities involving the development of basic applications programs and systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of computer technology; of programming languages; and of coding processes and security measures.  Ability is required to review and translate specifications to write programs to produce desired results; to develop and use appropriate testing protocols; and to use and interpret technical manuals and publications.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of the completion of twelve semester hours of computer science or management information systems course work at an accredited college or university; or completion of a minimum of 156 hours of vocational or technical education courses resulting in certification in applications development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of experience in applications development for the required education.

Level II:                                   Code:  B51B                             Salary Band:  K

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing a full range of analysis and programming work to plan and develop or modify and implement individual programs to support a total applications system.  This will include reviewing and analyzing user requests or other information to define requirements, conferring with users to validate or clarify needs, developing required documentation, and designing and testing appropriate solutions.  They will also perform on-going maintenance, respond to program interruptions and other problems, and complete recovery and correction actions as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of specific agency functions and business needs; of changes in computer technology and specific applications systems; and of laws, rules and regulations affecting the business needs of the organization.  Ability is required to review and analyze user requests and other information and design appropriate programs and systems.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus one additional year of experience in applications development and analysis work.

Level III:                                  Code:  B51C                             Salary Band:  L

This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving advanced analysis and programming work such as independent responsibility for a complete application or operating system or subsystem, project management on an occasional basis, or responsibility for the coordination of multiple programming tasks or activities.  This may include the supervision or direction of others as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I and II plus demonstrated ability to perform a wide range of programming and analysis work and to work independently.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus two additional years of experience in applications development and analysis work.

Level IV:                                  Code:  B51D                             Salary Band:  M

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for the supervision of others in designing or modifying applications systems or programs.  This may include performing work such as a unit supervisor, project manager, team leader or similar leadership role which involves insuring the completion of assigned projects or activities.  It will also include reviewing and evaluating user requests and other information concerning data processing requirements, making work assignments, coordinating work activities, evaluating results, and performing various administrative tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of project management practices and supervisory principles and practices.  Ability is required to review and supervise the work of others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus two additional years of experience in applications development.

Latest Revision Date:  01-07-10