Job Description

LEAD USER TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

JOB CODE 09780

Effective Date:	Rev. 06/04A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to supervise, plan, and support information technology activities and to support the technical requirements of computerized and networked systems and applications, and/or telecommunications networks. Duties include participating in administrative and technical studies and reviewing the development, modification, utilization, and/or maintenance of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), mini-mainframe, server, and work station computer users, which may include establishing computer aided dispatch (CAD), emergency response, and other systems. This includes operating systems, applications packages, network/communications systems, database management systems, utilities, and related software. The incumbent works with considerable freedom in technical support areas under the general supervision of a Lead Information Technology Systems Specialist, Information Technology Project Manager, or an administrator. Performance is evaluated on the basis of results achieved.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises and coordinates the work of professional, technical, and non-technical staff;
• Prepares preliminary and long-range plans, estimates, and budgets;
• Prepares and reviews detailed final construction plans for specifications, special conditions, agreements, and instructions;
• Ascertains that Federal Comunications Commission (FCC) requirements regarding licensing, operating, and technical performance of radio equipment are met;
• Works closely with vendors and contractors to ensure equipment and services procured and installed meet requirements and specifications;
• Works with department representatives to develop cost effective solutions that meet operational requirements;
• Advises department in technical hardware/software matters as defined above;
• Analyzes, documents, and assists in publishing and maintaining administrative and system standards in conformance with information technology industry standards;
• Provides analysis support to users and long-range planning;
• Reviews projects for conformance to established administrative, technical system, and operations standards;
• Reviews proposed equipment and software proposals to determine the relative cost/benefit;
• Oversees and/or evaluates computer systems and/or telecommunications network performance and effectiveness;
• Oversees and/or evaluates and recommends system data and network security and access control to ensure the effective control over network utilization and to minimize unauthorized activities;
• Performs technology trend analysis;
• Provides information and training opportunities to employees on new procedures, techniques, equipment, and software;
• Designes and prepares plans and develops specifications for current and future City systems, including computer-assisted command and control systems;
• Manages telecommunications and microwave system networks using a host of protocols;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and/or Wide Area Network (WAN) technology management, server options, routing protocols, and switching hardware.
• LAN, WAN, mini-mainframe, server, CAD, emergency response, and work station computer hardware and software systems systems evaluation and troubleshooting techniques.
• Hardware, technical software, and utilities for LAN, WAN, mini-mainframe, server, CAD, emergency response, and work station computer hardware and software systems.
• Technical project planning and monitoring techniques.
• Techniques, methods, and procedures for integrating LAN, WAN, mini-mainframe, server, CAD, emergency response, work station computer, remote access requirements, hardware and software systems into user operational environments.
• Web-based and other computer programming languages.
• Database management and telecommunications systems.
• System development methodologies.
• Engineering mathematics, theory, and economics.
• Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations.

Ability to:

• Comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language.
• Learn job-related material through oral instruction, observation, structured lecture, and reading in the English language.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibility over others.
• Develop and implement plans, policies, and procedures for hardware and software installations and operation.
• Acquire and utilize specialized technical software in support of LAN, WAN, mini-mainframe, server, CAD, emergency response, and work station computer hardware and software operational systems.
• Remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and report research findings.
• Identify, plan, and conduct training sessions for other technical staff.
• Lead web-based initiatives.
• Manage, make recommendations and decisions for a complex computer-based projects, budgets, and expenditures.
• Enter data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device.
• Work cooperatively with other City employees.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Move heavy objects such as pieces of equipment weighing 20-50 pounds or more short distances (20 feet or less).
• Use standard computer aided dispatch (CAD), word processing, spreadsheet, database, and messaging software.
• Review and/or check the work products of others to ensure conformance to standards.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

Additional Requirements:

• Appointments to some positions are subject to appropriate polygraph and background standards.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions based on work location, assignment, or shift.
• Some employees who are trained and certified to climb towers will be called upon occasionally to utilize that skill in the routine performance of their duties.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
One year of experience supervising highly technical staff in a programming, data, or voice communications environment, and two years of experience in a LAN, WAN, mini-mainframe, server, CAD, emergency response, and/or work station computer hardware and software systems environment with emphasis on systems management, technical troubleshooting and/or telecommunications networking, including at least one year in a large-scale environment; plus a bachelor's degree in computer science, math or a related field; or four years of experience performing the duties of a professional electronics, radio frequency, or telecommunications engineer, plus a bachelor's degree in electrical, electronics, or telecommunications engineering. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted.