TeleCom Clinic's Definitive Guide to Job Descriptions
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JOB TITLE: Programmer/Analyst - A

Alternate Titles: Programmer/Analyst

LAST UPDATE: August 30, 2001

DESC. NO.: PA-0020

DEPARTMENT: Department of Information Technology

EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt / Non-Exempt

GRADE/SALARY: Management - Grade 5

GENERAL:

The TeleCom Clinic College is a dynamic, exciting, technologically advanced, growing college located in the heart of New Jersey. There are many active and diverse technological challenges. In the past year, hundreds of Pentium computers have been added to faculty, staff, administrators and student labs; the campus-wide wiring project has been completed that has expanded new voice, video and data network capability. The college has installed a new electronics network and has implemented several new LANs and WANs. The college has also embarked on a major web based software upgrade project.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under General supervision, primary responsibility is to provide technical leadership for administrative functions in projects that employ Datatel’s Colleague software and the related relational database and interface systems. Responsibility includes providing effectiveness and efficiency for administrative offices for projects that require computer applications to support or improve the college operations. This function requires high-level technical and administrative skills in systems analysis, programming and database management. Includes involvement in each phase of system life cycle, need analysis; acquisition or development; implementation; and maintenance. A high level programmer/analyst functions with minimal but periodic supervision and assumes some project responsibility.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Interface with user departments, providing technical expertise, to assess feasibility and establish requirements for a broad range of computer applications.

2. Defines and prepares specifications for new projects or changes to existing systems and applications, performing the indicated analysis of the impact upon other modules or applications.

3. Helps Develop and implement new programs and/or makes modifications to existing systems to comply with user specifications, requiring high level programming expertise in various programming languages and operating systems.

4. Aids in developing and maintaining the institutions administrative data dictionary for internal or external reporting; and arranges for the transfer of data to other internal or external systems.

5. Assisting and training users in utilization of structured applications and in the utilization of generalized applications (such as query language, ad hoc report tools, data transfer tools, interface systems, etc).

6. Performs the various functions associated with database management and administration, for the complex, centralized, integrated databases of the institution.

7. May works with various teams to integrate web based access technologies.

8. May instruct or train lower level Programmer/Analyst in technical aspects of the functions of application programming and database management.

9. Interacts with external software vendors as required to support acquired complex computer application systems, providing for the definition and resolution of technical and procedural problems, and the adaptation and maintenance of the applications and systems.

10. Pursues and develops professional skills in ever-changing technology as it relates to the impact on computer applications.

11. Interfaces with Information Technologies departmental professionals for implementation or problem resolution in projects that require multiple technical disciplines.

12. Prepares instruction and support documentation for the Department of Information Technology, administrative users, computer operations, and assists administrative users in the development of their procedures and training.

13. May fill in for the Sr. Programmer/Analyst in her/his absence.

14. Performs other related duties and assignments as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receives general supervision from the Director of Administrative Computing. Functions with minimal supervision and assumes fairly complex project responsibility. The job function is considered technically correct and efficient; and informatively accurate with limited direct supervisory intervention. Position is expected to exercise independent judgment and seek out appropriate direction and information from Director of Administrative Computing. Performs duties with professional expectations of team interaction among the Applications Programming group, other IT members, the institutions administrative staff and external contacts. Attends internal and external training sessions and meetings as directed and necessary for job performance.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May instruct or train lower level Programmer/Analyst in technical aspects of the functions of application programming and database management. May supervise lower level members of the Administrative Computing Group. This position has substantial impact on the institutions administrative departments for effective and efficient use of the Colleague software and the related databases. May train other IT support staff that help in the maintenance and support of the information technology department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must possess a minimum of a BS or BA degree, ideally in either Computer Science, Information Systems, or a degree in a related field; minimum one years of information systems work experience (preferably in a higher education environment) and a minimum of one years of experience using Datatel’s Colleague software and knowledge of Unidata, Unibasic and Uniquery; or equivalent combination of education and work experience as determined by the Department of Information Technology.

Experience with Unibasic, Uniquery, Unidata, Pick-based RDMS, Datatel’s Envision Tool Kit, EPOS's Telephone Registration, UNIX and web based integrated data systems are strong plus’s.

Work experience should demonstrate strong problem solving and debugging skills, ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, quality communication skills.

Working knowledge of PC’s; Windows 9x or NT; Microsoft Office suite of products; either Netscape or Microsoft Explorer, and experience with at least one high-end email system such as Microsoft Exchange.

Experience in higher education preferred but not required. Ability to interface and communicate effectively with non-technical personnel, administrative users, staff, faculty and students, as well as professional Information Technology staff. Must possess good analytical, oral and written communicative skills, be a quick learner, self-motivated, patient, and be able to work in stressful situations, and at times, be available to work flexible hours. Initiative, creativity and decision-making are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

There are minimum physical demands for this position. Using and reading from a PC for extended periods of time, moving around a crowded Network Operation Centers, carrying output for review, and the need to go to end users locations are amongst the demands of this position.

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

There will be the occasional need to work non-traditional hours and long ours of continuous concentration.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

This is considered one of several mid-level positions in a family of positions that permit for growth and promotion as experience, training and education meet the qualifications of the next job description in the family. Promotions are expected from this position but will not take place before six months in the position.

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TeleCom Clinic c/o Neil Sachnoff
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Edison, NJ 08820

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