1E39
PRODUCTION CONTROL SUPERVISOR

This is data processing production control work in the Mayor's Office of Information Services (MOIS), supervising through subordinate supervisors, the operation of a large scale mainframe processor with a multiple CPU and multiple operating systems environment, the flow of data systems requests through the automated processing system and returning completed job runs back to the users. The employee in this class is responsible for the timely and efficient provision of data processing production services to users of the system on a city-wide basis. Work includes providing technical support to subordinates, managing the direct access storage device (DASD) system, supervising the activities of a magnetic tape library, and reporting problems and discrepancies to management. Provides analysis of all City data processing systems hardware and maintains recovery profiles of hardware for vendors providing disaster recovery services. Balancing production requests with available resources, and resolving production problems in conjunction with the systems development staff are significant aspects of the work.

Work is performed under the direction of a technical superior.

• The work must be performed in the Data Center of the Mayor's Office of Information Services (MOIS).
• The position must supervise subordinate supervisors engaged in the supervision of data processing production control work, and the maintenance of the magnetic tape library for a city-wide user network.

• Plans, assigns, and reviews the day to day activities of a staff operating computer consoles and peripheral equipment, production control staff and magnetic tape library staff; ensures timely completion of user requests; assists in the selection of new employees; instructs and orients new employees and recommends training sessions for employees.
• Develops production schedules to effectively meet user requirements and maximize computer resources; supervises the application of control guidelines for flow of input from data processing activities and output to user departments; supervises the distribution of end products to the users; ensures adequate materials are available for daily production activities; may deliver end products to users in the absence of the designated delivery person.
• Plans, assigns and reviews day-to-day activities of hardware that provide City data processing services. Create and reviews plans and procedures for disaster recovery. Must update hardware needs with the vendor as equipment changes within the City's data processing networks. Schedule tests with vendors supplying hardware, software and networking needs to recover all city operating systems. Schedules employees to test system.
• Supervises, through subordinate supervisors, the assistance to operators encountering equipment, job control language (JCL) or program problems; runs diagnostics to discover cause of work interruption or equipment malfunction; tests equipment for possible causes; evaluates the severity of machine breakdown; performs minor repairs of equipment; contacts manufacturer representative for more extensive repair; coordinates daily production and work flow; adjusts daily schedules according to unanticipated workloads and equipment malfunctions; recommends options for short term expediting and deferral of jobs.
• Checks backups of virtual storage access method (VSAM) disk packs to ensure user files are being copied regularly; assists users if restoration of VSAM files is necessary; periodically reorganizes VSAM files to improve response time to facilitate more efficient execution of batch processing; increases disk space allocations or moves files to other disk packs when necessary; supervises the maintenance of data and system files; supervises the application of standard practices and procedures for job submission, processing and control; reviews new and revised production systems for completeness and adherence to standards; ensures integrity of programs and security of data and system files; recommends appropriate production systems.
• Monitors the tape and disk management systems on both DOS and MVS; checks for potential problems and takes steps to avert them; reviews usage of disks space so that resources are used correctly and efficiently; notifies users of improper use; takes corrective actions when necessary to ensure adherence to established operating procedures; when directed, determines which tapes should be returned to the availability pool; generates job accounting reports for management; reviews the reports for accuracy and completeness; extracts any pertinent information with regards to the efficiency of the system.
• Merges programs, procedures, and job control language (JCL) from the test mode to the production libraries; reviews all documentation for all systems when adding programs to the production mode; meets with programmers to discuss requirements for efficient execution of systems to be processed; meets with users experiencing problems setting up or executing their programs.
• Participates in the review and analysis of statistical reports on resource use and allocation; participates in the analysis of system malfunctions to determine causes and possible resolutions; confers with systems development staff for solutions to system and equipment malfunctions; discusses solutions with supervisor.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the theory and principles of automated data processing systems
• the principles and practices of data processing hardware and software currently in use at MOIS
• the variety of equipment used in the operation and production areas of an automated processing center
• the methods of obtaining maximum utilization of computers and their peripheral equipment
• current developments in the area of automated data processing and major software packages, especially as applied to high-volume, batch processing
• supervisory practices and techniques
• the application of major software packages relating to the processing of information and the generation of reports
• the techniques employed in applications programming
• procedures analysis and design
• the methods of diagnosing computer system failure and equipment failure
• job control languages utilized by DOS and MVS
• operating facilities such as VM/CMS, CMS editor, TSO and accompanying utilities
• the proper methods and practices employed in the care and handling magnetic media
• the principles and practices of DASD management
SKILL IN:
• balancing the requests of users with the resources available in a production control environment
• diagnosing and resolving problems that occur in a production control environment
ABILITY TO:
• supervise subordinates in the production control activities of a city-wide service bureau
• analyze problems concerning automated data processing production and to make recommendations for solution
• formulate production schedules to meet the users' needs in a timely manner
• effectively manage the disk and tape storage and retrieval systems
• analyze production data and formulate recommendations to improve efficiency
• evaluate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, representatives of user departments, data processing personnel and outside consultants

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science, information science, or a closely related field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Four years of experience performing user or systems support activities in a computing system operations environment and/or performing applications programming development at a paraprofessional level.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Two years of experience in production control work, coordinating the flow of data systems requests from an assigned group of a city-wide network of users.
OR
• Four years of supervisory experience directing employees engaged in the operation of a large scale mainframe processor with a multiple CPU and multiple operating systems environment.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included the specific experience described above.

NOTE: Two additional years of the general experience can be substituted for two years of the education requirements.

THE FOLLOWING CLASSES TYPICALLY MEET THE MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Computer Room Shift Supervisor
• Production Control Coordinator

• 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 Production Control Supervisor.