GENERAL DEFINITION

This is intermediate level computer programming and analysis work. Employees in this class perform a variety of assignments analyzing requirements for computer services, determining how to meet computer requirements and developing programs. Employees work in environments ranging from a department with personal computers and access to and need for central computing agency mainframe data to the City's centralized computing agency. This class is differentiated from the lower level classes by an increased emphasis on systems analysis and increased independence of performance. The employees specialize in the use of a designated computer language within a system environment or use one or more of the designated computer languages, including fourth generation languages. The employee works under the direction of a technical supervisor.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

• Performs systems analysis for new or existing application requests; meets with users to discuss requests and user objectives; analyzes use requirements; determines how the system that is to be computerized works manually or reviews the system specification and documentation of an existing system to determine the current design; confers with system users and managers and supervisors; assists in preparation of needs or cost benefit analysis; develops systems logic and a flow chart; determines what modules to include; designs the data base, data file and screen layout and determines record number and size; modifies and maintains the data base; designs user access parameters to provide file security; writes back-up and recovery procedures to protect against lost of data; evaluates paper flow, task time, human resources and other external and interrelationship factors that will impact upon the proposed or modified system; develops a preliminary program specification, taking all the collected data and information into consideration.
• Designs program logic to meet specifications and conformance to standards; codes program in appropriate language; prepares program flow chart; determines the size and number of files and records; tests programs; creates test data; checks input for accuracy and completeness; trouble-shoots existing programs to identify problems; periodically meets with users to identify problems; writes narrative explanations of programs; prepares forms and documentation.
• Confers with supervisor, project leaders and user representatives to determine objectives and user requirements; periodically analyzes assigned system components to determine adequacy; develops recommended improvements; periodically confers with representatives of user agencies to determine if systems and programs are meeting requirements.Assists other agencies in systematizing non-computer projects; may train operating department personnel in the use of computer applications; may meet, as part of a team, with other City agencies and computer consultants and vendors regarding new systems or revisions to existing systems.
• Attends education training sessions when appropriate.
• Performs the above in an environment using at least one of the specified computer languages.
• Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the theory and practice of systems analysis.
• the theory and practice of systems design.
• the principles, methods and techniques used in systems and program flow chart preparation.
• the application and techniques of programming for the appropriate computer language.
• documentation procedures.
• the current uses, capabilities and configurations of electronic data processing equipment, such as multi-central processing units, telecommunication networks and such supporting devices as disk drives,controllers, printers and card readers.
• the theory and practice of organizational analysis.
• the theory and practice of procedures analysis.
• source code language programming and appropriate control languages.
• at least one data base management system, such as DL/1, IMS or TOTAL or IMAGE or SQL.
• either VSAM or KSAM file access methods.
• the methods and techniques used in the evaluation and analysis of software, hardware and application systems to achieve efficient system utilization.
• the methods and techniques used in protecting systems security.

ABILITY TO:

• learn the applications of new software packages.
• interpret technical manuals and apply the information garnered from them.
• think logically and sequentially.
• present ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.
• communicate data processing concepts to non-technical personnel.
• analyze complex organizational and procedural problems.
• complete work within the confines of a time schedule.
• establish effective working relationships with associates, departmental and administrative officials, supervisors, and other data processing personnel.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 3/89.)

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in computer science, decision science, information science, or a closely related field.
• Two years of experience performing computer programming and analysis work in the area of specialization, one year of which shall have been above the first trainee level.

Any combination of education and experience which has included completion of a bachelor's degree program which has included or has been supplemented by eighteen (18) semester hours of course work in computer science, decision science or information science and which has been determined to be equivalent by the Personnel Department.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

NOTE:
Employees with permanent status in the class listed below as of 8/23/89 can substitute extra experience as specialized above for the required education.

• Programmer Analyst Trainee
• Programmer Analyst I
• Programmer Analyst II
• Programmer Analyst III
• Programmer Analyst Project Leader
• Programmer Analyst Supervisor
• Departmental Computer Services Supervisor I
• Departmental Computer Services Supervisor II
• Systems Analyst IV

PAY RANGE: EP19
Class Established: 5/1962

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 9/1995 ; Ad Board - 12/1995

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