1E26
WATER INFORMATION CENTER MANAGER

This is data systems management work, directing, through subordinate supervisory personnel, technical and support personnel, contractors, consultants and vendors in a mainframe and network computing environment, the activities that comprise the Water Department's Information Data Center in either the Mainframe or Network specialty. An employee in the Network specialty plans and directs the activities of the Department's 1000+ node LAN/WAN infrastructure that is server and host computer driven and directs the activities required to maintain the departmental Intranet System, maintaining Intranet/Internet pages and links. In the Mainframe specialty work includes supervising applications development, systems programming and operations control in the department's automated water customer billing system or the responsibility for applications development, systems programming and operations control for the department's engineering division, various water utility operating support processes and systems, and financial and other business office systems for the Department. Work includes ensuring that each computer system is operating efficiently, application programs are meeting the needs of the users, and the operations area produces the requested jobs in a timely manner. Working with various divisional managers, ensuring system availability and security and ensuring that all communication links are maintained are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of the Water Department's Information Center Director.

• The work must be performed in the Water Department.
• Only three positions can be allocated to this class.
• In the Mainframe Specialty the position must supervise, through subordinate systems programming, applications programming, and technical support supervisors, the entire computing program for the Water Department in either water billing or engineering/scientific data management in a multi-location, multi-vendor environment.
• In the Network Specialty the position must direct network and other information management system activities through subordinate computing personnel that includes Network Administrator, LAN Administrators, Network Support Specialists and Associates, Project Leaders, Systems Programmers, consultants, contractors and vendors.
• In the Network Specialty the position must be responsible for directing the activities of the Water Department's LAN/WAN systems/applications including client server or network based, interacting with multiple vendors, contractors and consultants.

• Plans and directs, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of data processing employees utilizing computers and related equipment for either the Water Billing or Engineering/Business programs; directs applications development, testing, conversions, and maintenance; directs the activities of system programming personnel responsible for the installation and maintenance of operating and communications systems; supervises the activities of production control and the computer room operations; coordinates the work flow of the various work areas to ensure the maximum utilization of manpower and equipment; ensures that all data communication links to the various users, including Water Revenue, other City departments and numerous federal agencies maintain good on-line status; assures that all data processing documentation conforms with accepted standards.
• Confers with unit supervisors to determine and rectify problems in the individual units; devises and implements new operating procedures for all units; reviews and evaluates the work of the individual units to ensure goals are being met and guidelines are adhered to.
• Confers with users to determine objectives, equipment needs and resources required for systems and projects; informs users and subordinates of system capabilities and alternatives to be considered; reviews requests of programming and system needs; reviews completed designs and computer programs for conformance with the overall program objectives.
• Integrates new system requirements into existing data processing work flow; meets with vendors to assess new equipment; plans and coordinates hardware configurations to insure compatibility with systems and applications software; makes decisions based on feasibility and benefit to the operation as to hardware and software purchases to enhance the existing computer system; estimates resource requirements and costs for maintaining production services; participates with supervisor in the preparation of the entire budget for the data processing division of the Water Department.
• May direct the data processing activities for the water billing system administered by the Water Department that focus on generating billings for customers; evaluates and analyzes collection and customer service applications; confers with various departmental heads at their request to identify operational data automation needs and develop alternative automated billing technologies; confers with managers of Water Revenue Bureau and the Finance Department to coordinate provision of service.
• May direct all of the data processing activities for engineering, finance, and other operation support and business systems for the Water Department; reviews and maintains computer applications for such areas as processes and systems, customer service data, field support units, and various fiscal data and programs; confers with various departmental officials to determine the most appropriate computer applications to automate.
• Performs related work as required.

• Plans and directs, through subordinate Network Administrator, LAN/WAN Supervisors, network technical and application support staff, consultants, and contractors, the network activities of the department's network infrastructure; directs the design, specification, location, installation and configuration of new file, application, database, web, e-mail and GIS servers; directs the design, creation and optimizing of Oracle databases used as platforms for network based applications; directs the design, implementation and integration of applications available though browser based tools; directs the development and implementation of the department's messaging strategy, utilizing the appropriate mix, placement, and configuration of hardware and software to efficiently deliver messaging services at all remote locations; directs the activities of the departmental Intranet systems programming development group.
• 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 Intranet/Internet; 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.
• Project 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 technology in support of assigned computer networks and systems protocols and procedures to support the network.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

MAINFRAME SPECIALTY

• modern administrative principles, practices, and techniques with emphasis on a large-scale data processing and data communications operation
• principles, practices, and techniques used in the implementation and maintenance of data processing systems
• procedures and methods used in system design to meet user requirements
• the capabilities, applications, and operation of a variety of data processing hardware and software
• the methods and techniques used in evaluation of hardware and software requirements
• the techniques used in evaluating system utilization and performance tuning to achieve optimum system efficiency
• the administrative and operations functions of the Water Department and Water Revenue Bureau
• the techniques of systems analysis
• the principles, procedures, and methods used in operations management and productions control
• the principles and practices of systems programming and computer connectivity
• COBOL, Fortran, Powerhouse, and Visual Basic computing languages
• MVS, MPE and/or VM operating systems, CICS data communications systems, generalized software packages and data based management systems, such as IMS, DB2, IMAGE and/or Sequel Server
• principles and practices of computer interfacing
• procedures and methods used in applications development
• the principles and practices of computer driven data communications systems
• the principles, practices, and operations of on-line computer information systems services for remote and local users
• supervisory practices and techniques
• the principles and methods used to maximize
utilization of staff and peripheral data processing equipment
• principles and practices used in developing and adhering to an annual operating budget
ABILITY TO:
• plan, organize, and supervise, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of a staff engaged in a variety of data processing and operations support activities
• develop, implement, and maintain data processing systems
• direct the application of mathematics to the development of scientific applications for data systems management
• direct the application of the principles and practices of Fortran and/or Pascal coding languages to engineering and scientific applications
• reviews completed designs and computer programs for conformance with the overall program objectives
• analyze and resolve complex problems with emphasis on a large-scale data processing operation
• evaluate hardware and software performance, utilization and configuration, and project future requirements
• advise management on the efficiency level of the computer system including its response time to user needs
• evaluate the feasibility of automating existing departmental operations
• present ideas effectively and explicitly
• establish and maintain effective working
relationships with associates and officials
KNOWLEDGE OF:

NETWORK SPECIALTY

• 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
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 databases on a geographic information system
• think logically and sequentially
• speak and write effectively

EDUCATION

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university in computer science, decision science, information science, engineering, mathematics or a closely related field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• Four years of systems analysis, applications programming or systems programming experience in a computer mainframe/server environment.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

MAINFRAME SPECIALTY

• Two years of experience supervising either systems analysis and applications programming which has included the use of COBOL computing language or systems programming activities for water revenue billing applications; or, systems analysis and application programming which has included use of Fortran and/or Pascal coding languages or systems programming activities for engineering, financial, and scientific applications in a mainframe computer environment with a multi-line communication network.

NETWORK SPECIALTY

• Two years of experience supervising, through subordinate administrators and technical support staff, the activities of the Water Department's host based or client server driven interconnected, multiple remote worksite network of personal computers configured in a Wide Area Network (WAN) architecture comprised of at least 300 workstations with additional responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the Department's Geographic Information System (GIS).

OR

CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

(BOTH SPECIALTIES)

• Program Analyst Supervisor
• Systems Program Supervisor

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