Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under direction from management staff, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for the design, programming, testing, installation and maintenance of information systems; and provides technical staff assistance to management.
 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level class in the Programmer Analyst series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including the provision of functional and technical supervision over lower level programmer analyst staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.
 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1.    Lead, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for the design, programming, testing, installation and maintenance of information systems; participate in performing the most complex work of the unit.
2.    Train assigned employees in their areas of work including current software practices and provision of advanced technical information.
3.    Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
4.    Analyze functional requirements and define system specifications for major software development projects using advanced structured techniques; install newly developed software applications and integrate with existing products.
5.    Develop, test and implement software components and computer programs according to overall system specifications; document new programs and changes to existing systems in accordance with established standards and procedures; prepare end user and technical documentation and instructions.
6.    Consult with District and college faculty and staff to identify functional requirements for complex software systems; modify or enhance existing application system programs to meet user needs or system design changes; respond to requests and inquiries regarding operation, use and capabilities of the system.
7.    Analyze, design and implement relational databases and perform database administrator tasks including database programming and user access management; design user interfaces, data structures and logical components of complex software systems.
8.    Perform ongoing system maintenance tasks including upgrades, enhancements and operational requirements.
9.    Evaluate system requirements and designs and generate various reports to support executive management decision making; submit reports to various governmental agencies as required.
10.    Provide technical support to users who report system problems; work in conjunction with user support staff to resolve problems in an efficient manner; conduct user training sessions and provide ongoing consultation as needed.
11.    Respond to ad hoc requests for a variety of computing services; provide technical support and expertise to resolve problems in an efficient manner during and outside of normal business hours.
12.    Serve as project manager or team leader as assigned.
13.    Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of information systems.
14.    Perform related duties as required.
 

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
 

Knowledge of:
Advanced operational characteristics of computer systems and related software applications.
Advanced programming languages and procedures and their application to various systems.
Advanced principles of systems analysis, design and data modeling techniques as applied to mainframe, client-server and internet environments.
Methods and techniques of programming, data processing and programming documentation. Advanced methods and techniques of software development.
Various mainframe, server and workstation operating systems.
Principles of database design and maintenance.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
 

Ability to:
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
Independently perform the most difficult design, programming, testing, installation and maintenance of computer application systems.
Identify, evaluate and solve complex system and programming problems.
Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.
Analyze data and establish system requirements to develop logical solutions to data processing problems or tasks.
Design, implement and maintain relational databases.
Integrate new system applications with legacy systems in a mixed platform environment.
Assist users and staff in troubleshooting system and hardware problems.
Present and explain technical information in understandable terms.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES 

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 

Education/Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in computer science or a related field.
 

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible programming and systems analysis experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
 

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Duties are typically performed at a desk or computer terminal; subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with academic and classified staff and others. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to assure health and comfort.
 

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.