1E06
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

This is supervisory computer network management work, directing the activities of a departmental interconnected, multiple remote work site network of personal computer (PCs) workstations, other communications hardware, and other related peripheral equipment. An employee in this class supervises a group of lower level network administrators and support technicians engaged in the installation, configuration and troubleshooting of network hardware and hardware operating systems for a departmental Wide Area Network (WAN) of at least 300 PC workstations or some combination of a Wide Area Network (WAN) of less than 300 PC workstations and either a group of Local Area Networks (LANs), a Computer Aided Design and Drafting System (CADD) System, or a Geographic Information System (GIS) that is host based and\or client server driven. Work includes coordinating the provision of network services to end users, conferring with programming personnel to insure development and implementation of user applications requirements and may include supervising end user information analysts engaged in providing such user requirements. Monitoring and maintaining operating systems, utilities and applications software, conferring with consultants and vendors, an in-house network analyst and the City's central computing agency for problem resolution beyond first echelon maintenance, training network support technicians in hardware installation and maintenance and ensuring systems security, integrity and availability are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.

• The position must have primary responsibility for a departmental Wide Area Network (WAN) of at least 300 interconnected PC workstations configured in multiple, remote field site workstation locations or a Wide Area Network of less than 300 PC work stations in combination with the responsibility for a Geographic Information System (GIS), Computer Aided Design and Drafting System (CADD) or a group of Local Area Networks (LANs).
• The position must supervise network maintenance, troubleshooting and system modification and upgrade through a group of network support technicians, lower level network administrators, other technical specialists, and outside consultants and contractors.
• The position may supervise a programming component made up of end user information management analysts.

• Directs the management of a large departmental WAN system through lower level network administrators, specialists and technicians or a departmental WAN system and either a computerized municipal geographic information system or a computerized engineering computer aided drafting system, or a group of individual LANs through subordinate supervisors and lower level network administrators, specialists, and technicians; applies network technology to address user needs; determines the department's information management needs within the context of network technology; develops preliminary network system configuration for the acquisition of add-on hardware and software; reviews product comparisons, prepares requests and makes recommendations for the acquisition of software and hardware to support the network; confers with vendors to devise plans for installation projects; directs the installation of hardware, software systems and application and operating system product installations; provides direction to technicians engaged in the installation and maintenance of hardware components; monitors network performance; ensures response time is within acceptable limits; directs subordinates in the provision of first level problem resolution; refers unusual or difficult network problems to technical and administrative subordinates and the maintenance vendor; evaluates system software problems; determines with maintenance vendors and subordinates, the best approach for service restoration and networking repairs; communicates with vendors, in-house specialists and the central computing agency for higher-level problem resolution, when necessary.
• Supervises the maintenance of workstations, file servers, systems software and peripheral equipment; directs network monitoring, testing and troubleshooting in order to obtain optimum efficiency; insures the efficiency of network connections and communications to other CPUs, WANs, LANs, and Citynet; directs systems tuning in order to balance the load running on the system and to obtain optimum system efficiency; insures network availability; develops and maintains a disaster recovery plan; oversees system backup at regular intervals in order to prevent loss of data files; develops and implements strategies designed for system security; determines correct methods for attaining access; establishes levels of access for users; issues and updates security measures on a regular basis.
• Confers with users and may defer to subordinate information analysts, other in-house or central agency programming staff to determine user system and application development and modification feasibility as a result of user request; reviews and approves final product; directs the maintenance of the network's database; directs the development and documentation methods and procedures to ensure accuracy of information in the database; trains subordinates in hardware and hardware operating system installation, maintenance, configuration, troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Directs subordinate staff in the instruction of network users in the capabilities and functions of the network and other assigned data systems; updates users on new and current procedures, new software and their application and other system capabilities; develops and maintains a record management system of network utilization and system performance statistics.
• May direct the design, maintenance, and production of geographic data and graphics in which a computerized geographic information system is used for the purpose of geographic planning and analysis work; insures that automated geographic information projects are performed in accordance with the city's GIS goals and objectives.
• May direct the operation, user access, and system availability activities of a CADD system in support of engineering and/or architectural design and drafting projects; directs the planning and development of the CADD system for anticipated expansion of capabilities.
• Projects future needs of the networks and data systems for user planning strategies and information system development; stays abreast of changes and recent developments in network, GIS and CADD technology in support of assigned computer networks and systems protocols and procedures to support the network.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, practices and methods of integrating microcomputers into an organization for use in information analysis, maintenance, and report generation
• the current uses and capabilities of microcomputers and microcomputer applications
• the principles, practices, and techniques used in developing a LAN and connecting a LAN system with other LANs to form a Wide Area Network
• the theory of office automation and network in order to facilitate integration between the two theories
• current technological development in the field of microcomputers and Local and Wide Area Networks
• one or more operating systems used for networking microcomputer systems
• one or more communication configuration systems used in Local and Wide Area Networks
• the principles and techniques of database management
• the techniques used in network problem resolution
• the theory and practices of implementing and maintaining security procedures and protocols
• principles, practices and techniques used in connecting LANs and WANs to Citynet
SKILL IN:
• evaluating and analyzing microcomputer network problems
• producing effective problem resolution for network and application problems
• the use and application of one or more databases primarily used at the microcomputer level
• modifying system configuration to meet changing needs of the user
ABILITY TO:
• supervise a group of lower level network administrators, technicians and specialists engaged in computer software and hardware operation, maintenance and troubleshooting
• train subordinate employees in the installation and maintenance of workstation hardware and operating systems
• become familiar with the functions and objectives of an assigned municipal government organization
• coordinate and direct the activities involved in maintaining a computer network that is either client server, mainframe or network based
• plan and implement strategies for system security, integrity and disaster recovery
• establish working relationships and communicate effectively with contractors, vendors, users and other associates
• supervise the instruction of users in network access, system's capabilities and proper use of the software
• determine the right balance of performance and cost efficiency for the assigned network
• use tact and diplomacy when interacting with end users and administrators
• evaluate new technologies and conceptualize their potential for incorporation into the existing system
• keep abreast of technological developments in the CADD field
• utilize common sources of data and reference material used for the establishment and updating of geographic data bases on a geographic information system
• think logically and sequentially
• speak and write effectively

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree with major course work in Computer Science, Decision Science, Information Science or a closely related field, supplemented by successful completion of forty hours of training in local area network administration from an accredited school or other institution.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Four years of experience performing local area network technical support work, computer programming and analysis, systems programming, data base management or developing and implementing fourth (4th) generation computer programs for end user management information systems.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Two years of experience performing LAN administration at the advance performance level or supervising such work.

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included the specific experience and completion of the twelfth school grade supplemented by successful completion of forty hours of training in local area network administration from an accredited school or other institution.

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Network Administrator, if required by work assignment.

CLASSES WHICH TYPICALLY MEET ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THIS POSITION:

• Local Area Network Administrator
• Departmental Computer Services Supervisor