County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of the Deputy Director of Data Processing, to plan, configure, recommend, install and support county standard PC local area network hardware and software and network communications; to provide expert consultation to support staff and management in County Departments on PC and LAN (local area networks) hardware, operating system, network operating systems, system connectivity, and standard PC application software; and to perform other related duties.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The class of Data Processing Systems Specialist is distinguished from other classifications in the Data Processing Department in that incumbents provide support for departmental PC/LAN hardware, software and system connectivity, rather than for the mainframe. This class is further distinguished from departmental information systems classifications in that the former assist the Deputy Director in establishing countywide standards for PC/LAN systems and provide technical support countywide to the information systems staff in the operating departments, whereas the latter are responsible for providing technical support to their department's mainframe, mini and microcomputer users. Further, incumbents of the class of Data Processing Systems Specialist have responsibility for the projects they are assigned, but do not have ongoing unit or section management responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Prepares large, complex, technical PC LAN configuration recommendations for County Departments, ensuring that all components will inter-operate successfully.

2. Acts as technical project lead for the installation of Local Area Networks, and the upgrade of hardware and software on existing networks.

3. Provides technical troubleshooting, problem isolation and assistance with problem resolution for the more complex problems with standard PC LAN hardware and software recommended by DPD.

4. Assists the Deputy Director in evaluating new PC LAN hardware and software, and determining the standard product set to be recommended and supported by DPD.

5. Acts as the DPD "Technical Support Account Representative" for an assigned group of County LANs, ensuring reliability. performance and customer satisfaction.

6. Trains departmental LAN Administrators in basic and advanced LAN administration concepts, tools and techniques.

7. Provides "Emergency Technical Response" to restore service when critical departmental LANs such as the CAO Budget System have problems.

8. Coordinates inter-connection of County LANs into a countywide communication network.

9. Implements complex, centralized PC/LAN software tools, e.g. CID, LAN Network Manager, Netview GMF, OSF DCE Security Server, LAN Netview, DCAF, LAN Access, etc. for management of the countywide communications network.

10. Consults with departmental management and staff concerning vendor-supplied LAN applications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The equivalent of three years of full time increasingly responsible experience in local area network and/or wide area network hardware/software support activities in those systems.

Special Requirements:

Some of the DPD-supported LANs operate on a 24-hour per day, 7-days per week, 365 days per year basis. Data Processing Systems Specialist may be required to work on grave, swing, and day shifts, as well as weekends and holidays as necessary.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Local Area Network (LAN) technology.
• Wide Area Network (WAN) technology.
• Advanced computer technology.
• Data communications principles and techniques.
• Principles of office systems analysis.
• Data Processing concepts.
• Modern office practices.
• Project management principles and techniques.
• Problem isolation and troubleshooting principles and techniques.
• Principles of hardware/software evaluation.
• DPD standard PC operating system, LAN networks operating system software.
• DPD standard EMAIL, word processing, spreadsheet and PC database software.
• LAN/WAN management tools and techniques.

Abilities:

• Analysis, LAN configuration and estimating.
• LAN installation project management.
• PC/LAN/WAN hardware/software troubleshooting and complex problem resolution.
• Oral communication with users at all levels.
• Interpersonal sensitivity.
• Planning and organization.
• Adaptation to stress.
• Written communication.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

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Rev: 5/94
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New doc. under: 0605.doc Jobspecs/Newspecs

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.