1E82
PAY RANGE: N27
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIRECTOR
This is management level computer information systems work, planning and directing, through subordinate supervisors and administrators, technical support staff, administrative staff and consultants, vendors and contractors, the activities of a departmental information system which includes an interconnected in-house and field site workstations, other communications hardware, other related peripheral equipment and a multiple vendor hardware and software component.
An employee in this class directs a group of network administrative, technical, and support personnel engaged in the development, installation, monitoring, and maintenance of the network's hardware and software components which include such elements, as network servers, workstations, peripherals, hubs, bridges, routers, switches, cabling, network and workstation operating systems, and utilities, communications and applications software. Work includes interfacing with the City's Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) to coordinate and resolve such issues. This class is differentiated from the next lower level supervisory class by the responsibility for development of the department's information system technology and maintaining efficient operation of the department's entire information management system. Ensuring overall network security and availability, establishing and implementing computing policy, processes, procedures and training programs to align with the department’s business vision are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. The position must have responsibility for directing the activities for a department's Local/Wide Area Network (LAN)/(WAN) systems that are either mainframe, client server or network-based.
2. The position must be responsible for a LAN/WAN architecture which requires interaction with multiple vendors and coordination of remote multiple LAN/WAN workstation locations.
3. The position must direct network and other information management system activities for the department through subordinate computing supervisors such as, Network Administrators and Systems and/or Programmer Analysis Supervisors supported by a network analyst, programmer analysts, a group of network technicians and consultants, vendors and contractors.
4. Only one position will be allocated to each operating department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Plans and directs, through subordinate LAN/WAN supervisors, technical support staff and consultants, the network activities of the department's entire network system; supervises a systems development component composed of programmer analysts and consultants who perform systems development and, in addition, work in concert with network personnel in determining and meeting user telecommunication and data management requirements through either the mainframe of the City's central computing agency or in-house host systems.
Confers with department managers to determine computing and information management requirements; acts as liaison for grant funds and reimbursement; develops plans and strategies to meet the information management needs of the department; develops plans and proposals to analyze and upgrade the existing systems; determines which applications can best satisfy department computing requirements; determines departmental computing policies and procedures; directs installation and start up of new or revised software; directs periodic testing of system and programs; confers with central information technology agency managers and designated technical specialists to establish access to mainframe data and to insure provision of support to the department; directs, through subordinates, the activities of contracted consultants; prepares contract specifications and requests for proposals for lease or purchase and maintenance of hardware or software; participates in interview and selection of vendors.
Directs the maintenance of and enhancements to departmental systems that include analyzing user needs, planning required systems and program development activities, project management, program specifications, file design, meeting governmental reporting requirements, and addressing end user requests.
Assigns systems development projects and other related system responsibilities to programmer analysts and support staff through subordinate program analyst supervisors; prepares detailed technical instructions for general and network systems analyses and programming assignments; explains project objectives, requirements and timeframes for completion; provides technical guidance during projects; reviews modules prepared by subordinates; directs the development and presentation of preliminary recommendations to users; discusses recommendations and makes appropriate revisions.
Ensures delivery of computer services to the department within allocated cost and schedule and within budget.
Projects future needs of departmental network enhancements for user planning strategies and information system development; confers with and recommends to superiors the most appropriate software and hardware purchases to support the network; prepares cost comparisons of equipment and software considered for purchasing; directs, through subordinates supervisors, technology staff to utilize software to monitor usage and test file servers and communication devices and ensures that response time is within acceptable limits; reviews reports prepared by subordinates on network status and presents performance statistics at meetings; directs troubleshooting and diagnoses of PC operating system malfunctions and resolution.
Meets with LAN/WAN Administrators and department managers to determine future network needs and personal computer usage; studies past and current trends; develops departmental disaster recovery plans.
Directs support staff to diagnose unusual or difficult network problems, perform circuit traces, failure detection and diagnosis; reviews findings and determines best approach for service restoration and network repairs.
Approves configuration of proposed network for compatibility with existing departmental installations, conformance with central agency guidelines, and network access to host based applications; confers with support staff to devise plans for major network installation projects.
Oversees departmental system security through direction of technical support staff involving changes in file server configurations, modems, routers, and various other
telecommunication devices; meets with departmental officials to discuss security needs; directs subordinate staff to implement security changes.
Ensures, through subordinate network administrators, the availability of all departmental networks; coordinates the customization, installation, and maintenance of systems and security software; reviews progress and monitoring reports to improve departmental network efficiency.
Directs, through subordinate supervisors, development of programming, testing, and documenting web applications for an internet and intranet website.
Periodically meets with support staff to review departmental network status and determine future requirements, including acquisition, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and monitoring of all network hardware and software; determines feasibility of possible solutions and incorporates them into overall department network plan.
Provides administrative direction to the departmental network administrators related to system internet connection; confers with OIT staff to ensure that appropriate coordination of departmental network system enhancements and internet activities are in line with the overall City network plan; ensures the quality of database information; directs the identification of problem areas and procedural changes.
Ensures technical support staff receives suitable training and stays abreast of recent developments in network technology; ensures that users are properly trained in the existing and modified network and user access methods and techniques.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• project management principles, practices and methods
• the methods and techniques used in the evaluation and analysis of software, hardware and application systems to achieve efficient network utilization
• management techniques for project control and analysis
• the principles, practices and methods of integrating computers into an organization for use in information analysis, maintenance, and report generation
• the current uses and capabilities of computers and applications in a network
• the principles, practices, and techniques used in establishing a network by connecting LANs
• current technological development in the field of computers, telecommunications, and networks
• one or more operating systems used for networking computer systems
• one or more communication configuration systems used in computer networks
• the techniques used in network problem resolution
• the theory and practices of implementing and maintaining security procedures, protocols, and network control
• the practices and principles of supervision
• current funding mechanisms as applied to the department and its information technology functions
• the principles, practices, and procedures of preparing budgets and monitoring expenditures
• digital transformation strategy
SKILL IN:
· planning and implementing strategies for system security and integrity
· thinking logically about network configuration to resolve issues
· advising management on system network topics
· optimizing departmental information systems communication around goals and initiatives
· directing the administration of information technology contracts product licensing procedures and techniques
· ensuring compliance with grant funding requirements
ABILITY TO:
· supervise the activities of Local and Wide Area Network Administrators, Systems Program Analysis Supervisors, and/or Web Development Supervisors, supported by lower level technical personnel engaged in developing and maintaining a large telecommunications network
· develop and implement network communication systems, methods and procedures
· analyze and resolve complex network problems
· communicate networking concepts to technical and non-technical personnel
· formulate recommendations to improve network efficiency and capacity
· determine the feasibility and application of systems networking to existing department operations
· become familiar with the business needs, functions, and objectives of the department
· coordinate multiple projects and balance priorities and resources
· determine the right balance of performance and cost efficiency for the departmental network
· evaluate new technologies and conceptualize their potential for incorporation into the existing system
· present ideas effectively both orally and in writing
· establish effective working relationships with associates, departmental and administrative officials, vendors, users 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 XX/21.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program from an accredited college or university.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Four years of experience performing computer programming and analysis, information technology analysis, local area network administration, personal computer user support, data base management, web development, or system programming.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience supervising, as the department's sole computing supervisor or across-the-board assistant to a higher-level computing manager; or supervising program development and analysis or systems programming; or supervising web development; or supervising the operation and maintenance of interconnected LAN/WAN systems.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree program and the specific experience.
Network Administrator (1E06)
Information Systems Group Manager (1E13)
Water Information Center Manager (1E26)
Systems Programmer Supervisor (1E64)
Programmer Analyst Supervisor (1E79)
Departmental Computer Services Supervisor (1E81)
Web Development Supervisor (1E18)
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Class Established:
CSC - 8/95
Ad. Board - 12/95
CSC - 11/06
Ad. Board - 4/07
CSC – 07/19; Ad. Board – 09/19
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC - 03/21 Ad. Board – 05/21
KH