GENERAL DEFINITION

This is supervisory level computer programming and analysis work. Employees in this class supervise the activities of a group of at least five subordinate programmer analysts working in the City's central computing agency or in a department environment characterized by multiple central processing units, a mainframe computer, a multi-line telecommunications network, and provision of computing services by the mainframe to other city departments. The employees are responsible for training subordinates, assigning projects and permanent system responsibilities, and reviewing the work products of subordinates. Employees specialize in a designated computer language. An important aspect of the work is insuring that work produced by the group satisfies the computer requirements of users. The employees are supervised by a technical supervisor.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

• Confers with managers and computer programmer analysts of user departments to discuss computing needs and requirements; discusses system efficiency, weak links, enhancements and revisions to existing systems, including recommending changes to input-output, data collection methods, and clerical procedures; performs maintenance of existing program at user requests for modification and problem resolution; designs computer program testing methods; reviews accuracy of results; collects information necessary to develop preliminary functional and/or systems specifications for user approval and to plan the work and make subordinate assignments; establishes schedules with user for meetings concerning major projects to arrive at agreements and approval of a preliminary plan; confers with supervisor to determine project priority status, time frames for project completion, and the number and type of personnel needed to complete the project, including temporary assignment of personnel from other units; establishes program testing and installation schedules; notifies user when they can access the program and follows up to make sure the program is actually in operation.
• Assigns permanent system responsibilities to subordinates; assigns projects and phases of projects to subordinate programmer analysts; may assign project responsibility to subordinate project leaders for directing the activities of a group of programmer analysts; reviews experience and abilities of subordinates to determine which assignments are appropriate; briefs subordinates on project requirements, time frames, objectives, testing schedules, user requirements and other matters; draws design outlines for subordinates to follow: assigns subordinates to meet with users, develop program specifications, create and monitor an applications program, prepare documentation, secure user approval and integrate the program into the live system for user access; directs subordinates in applications programming and systems analysis activities; reviews analysis and programming prepared by subordinates; discusses project assignments daily, determines if time frames and other objectives are being met; reallocates resources to meet deadlines; reviews final products to insure quality; trains subordinates in analysis and programming; instructs staff in new analysis and programming techniques and methods; maintains and updates software reference library.
• Performs systems analysis for new or existing user application requests; meets with users to discuss requests and user objectives; analyzes user requirements'; determines who 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; prepares a 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; designs user access parameters to provide file security; writes back-up and recovery procedures to protect against loss 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.
• Makes a presentation of the preliminary design to the user for discussion, review and approval; evaluates any additional hardware and software requirements and communicates requirements to the management of the user department; after securing user approval, develops a final program specification with adjustments; gives final program specification to the assigned subordinate who will use the document to develop an applications program; tests, documents and installs the program into the computer system for user access.
• Writes programs in appropriate computer and non-procedural language.
• Meets with other city agencies and computer consultants and vendors regarding new systems; assist other agencies in systemizing non-computer projects; trains operating departmental personnel in the sue of computer applications.
• Attends educational training sessions whenever 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 theory and practice of organizational analysis.
• the theory and practice of procedures analysis.
• the applications and techniques of programming for the appropriate computer language.
• the principles, methods and techniques used in systems and program flow chart preparation.
• documentation procedures.
• the uses, capabilities and configurations of electronic data processing equipment, such as multi-central processing units, telecommunications networks and such supporting devices as disk drives, controllers, printers and card readers.
• the methods and techniques used in the evaluation and analysis of software, hardware and application systems to achieve efficient system utilization.
• methods and techniques used in protecting systems security.
• management techniques used in project control and analysis.
• source code language programming and appropriate control languages.
• at least one data base management system, such as DL/1, ADABAS, RAMIS DATABASE, ORACLE, IMS, TOTAL, IMAGE, or SQL.
• data base theory.
• either VSAM and KSAM file access methods.

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.
• direct a team of data processing personnel in completing a project within accepted time limits.
• communicate data processing concept to non-technical personnel.
• analyze complex organizational and procedural problems.
• formulate systems recommendations to improve efficiency.
• prepare systems specifications for submission to programmer analysts.
• 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.
• Five years of experience performing computer programming and analysis work, two years of which shall have been at the full performance level, or, one year of which shall have been as a project leader.

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 acceptable 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 classes listed below as of 8/23/89 can substitute extra experience as specified 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: EP25
Class Established: 3/1989
Latest Spec. Revision: 8/1989

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