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Information Systems Specialist

Department: Information Systems and Technology Effective Date: November, 2013
Grade:

USG 9-14

35 hr/wk

 Reports to: IST Director or designate

General Accountability

The Information Systems Specialist is accountable to an IST director or designate. The Information Systems Specialist is responsible for providing technical coordination, guidance, and support, for one or more of PeopleSoft HRMS, PeopleSoft SA, Oracle Government Financials, Cognos decision support applications, as well as other acquired and/or University developed information systems. Information Systems Specialists must interact well with other staff throughout IST, as well as IST clients and vendors. The Information Systems Specialist must maintain familiarity with, comply with, and at all times promote, the University’s policies and its directives related to information systems and technology.

Nature and Scope

The University's administrative information systems are purchased and/or built applications that are functionally robust and technically complex. This complexity encompasses all aspects of the technical infrastructure supporting these applications' life cycles; network and operating systems layer, database layer, programming languages, and delivery methods (e.g. client/server, web), as well as the implementation and support methodologies themselves.

 

The Information Systems Specialist is directly involved throughout the life cycle of these applications. The Specialist is also involved with other projects and working groups within IST as well as the provision of ongoing application support for information systems in production. The responsibilities and assignments of Information Systems Specialists encompass a wide range of specializations that currently include:

 

1. application design, development, and support

 

2. application administration

3. database administration

4. project leadership & management

 

An Information Systems Specialist is expected to remain technically current with the tools and the applications that they are supporting, as well as with emerging technologies related to these systems.

 

The nature of these assignments is such that an Information Systems Specialist may be required to work irregular hours on occasion, and/or be available on-call to support production applications.

 

A university degree in a related discipline, or equivalent, is required

Statistical Data

Specific Accountabilities

Each level of the Specialist position corresponds to increases in depth and breadth of expertise with information systems technologies, applications, project management, and institutional accountability.

 

Core Competencies

Computing and Database Systems

Applications Support

Problem Solving

Communications

Organization Skills

Teamwork and Leadership

Career Path for an Information Systems Specialist

 

The following descriptions make reference to levels of expertise: foundation, proficiency, in-depth, and expert. The definitions for these levels can be found in the IST Career Paths Competencies Table.

 

The foundation level position (USG9), and proficient level position (USG10) expect staff to develop general understandings of information systems concepts, University departments and information systems, and proficiency in specific technical areas.

 

In most cases, with the approval of a director, Information Systems Specialists (USG11-USG14) will be required to focus their technical skill development in one of the following directions: applications development, applications administration, database administration, project management.

 

Information Systems Specialists are generally expected to develop their skills to at least the level of a USG11. Advancements to higher levels are in recognition of ability, skills that demonstrate expert level knowledge in a range of technical and/or functional areas, as well as increased levels of experience and responsibility.

 

 

USG9

 

An entry level position, staff are generally responsible for their own work and work independently on assigned responsibilities within specific application areas or project assignments. Staff are expected to develop and demonstrate foundation and proficiency level knowledge and skills in the following:

 

USG10

 

As experienced, competent professionals, staff are generally responsible for their own work and work independently on assigned responsibilities within specific application areas or project assignments with only general direction required. In addition to a foundation level of Accountability, staff are expected to develop and demonstrate foundation, proficiency, and in-depth level knowledge and skills in the following:

 

USG11

 

This senior working level position has a demonstrated track record of successes and an in-depth knowledge in one of the following areas: Software Development, Project Leadership, Applications Administration, Database Administration. Depending upon the assignment they may also have direct responsibility for assigning tasks and monitoring progress of more junior staff. Staff at this level are expected to develop and demonstrate proficiency level of Accountability, and knowledge and skills in at least one of the following:

As well as in-depth level knowledge and skills in the following:

 

USG12

 

Staff at this level assume responsibility for a major application area in applications support, applications administration, database administration, or project management, at the University level. This individual participates in the formulation of proposals and represents IST on University projects and committees. Individuals at this level will have a demonstrated track record of successes with in-depth and expert knowledge in a number of areas. They are able to assume responsibility for department and institution level projects, multiple application support areas, database administration functions, or applications administration functions. Depending upon the assignment they may also have direct responsibility for assigning tasks and monitoring progress of more junior staff. Staff at this level are expected to develop and demonstrate in-depth level of Accountability and knowledge and skills in at least one of the following:

As well as expert level knowledge and skills in the following:

 

USG13

 

These highly skilled professionals are widely recognized for their skills and responsibilities in their area of specialization. This individual takes a major leadership role in guiding the evolution of information systems, development tools and technologies, and project management strategies and methodologies. The impact of their work is generally campus-wide, affecting significant numbers of organizational units. Staff at this level assume responsibility for a major application area in applications support, applications administration, database administration, or project management, at the University level. Individuals at this level will have a demonstrated track record of successes with in-depth and expert knowledge in a number of areas. They assume responsibility for department and institution level projects, multiple application support areas, database administration functions, or applications administration functions. Depending upon the

assignment they may also have direct responsibility for assigning tasks and monitoring progress of more junior staff. Staff at this level are expected to develop and demonstrate expert level of Accountability and knowledge and skills in the following:

As well as expert level knowledge and skills in the following:

 

 

USG 14

 

Information Systems Specialists at this level are acknowledged as the most senior and experienced members in this career path. They are highly skilled professionals, widely recognized for their project leadership and management skills and at least one other area of specialization. These individuals take a major leadership role in the University's most strategic and largest initiatives.

They guide the evolution of information systems, development tools and technologies, and project management strategies and methodologies. The impact of their work is campus-wide, affecting significant numbers of organizational units. As such, they must carefully consider all aspects of change management, including new or revised business processes, technical architectures and human factors. They assume responsibility for department and institution level projects, multiple application support areas, or applications administration functions. As such, they will have project management responsibilities for one or more projects, and work towards the negotiation of human and technical resources, funding and suitable technology. Individuals at this level will have a demonstrated track record of successes with expert knowledge in a number of areas and familiarity with business processes and IT use across campus and beyond.

Individuals are expected to possess strong soft skills, such as creativity and facilitation. They must be able to apply these skills and their knowledge of the campus environment to navigate through the most difficult human and business challenges. They are expected to work with a large degree of independence. They work directly with vendors in negotiations, implementations and support. When opportunities are presented, they will represent the University on bodies involving peer institutions or relevant industry groups. They have direct responsibility for assigning tasks and monitoring progress of junior, intermediate and even senior level staff. They are expected to serve as both guide and mentor by sharing their knowledge and experience and by seeking appropriate opportunities for training and related upgrades in skill sets. Supervision may extend to staff outside of IST and individuals must successfully navigate the inherent challenges found in such reporting relationships. They will have broader participation in issues related to budgets, the RFP process and software acquisition, resourcing, hiring and evaluations, often in conjunction with functional areas.

Staff at this level demonstrate an expert level of accountability, knowledge, skills and broad experience in leadership, project management and an institutionally recognized ability in at least one of the following areas:

As well as expert level knowledge and skills in all of the following:

Working Conditions