State of Maryland

An Information Technology (IT) Systems Technical Specialist is the full performance level of work planning, designing and developing improvements and new or advanced systems or applications across an entire area of specialization in application, communication, database, or operating systems software technology.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an IT Systems Technical Specialist Supervisor or other information technology administrator.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The IT Systems Technical Specialist is differentiated from the IT Systems Technical Specialist Supervisor in that the IT Systems Technical Specialist performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the IT Systems Technical Specialist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for IT Systems Technical Specialists.

Plans, designs and develops improvements and new or advanced systems or applications across an entire area of specialization in application, communication, database or operating systems software technology;

Performs in-depth analysis of various information technology alternatives to include consideration of technical matters, costs and compatibility with existing hardware or software, and prepares related narrative reports and technical documents;

Develops the structure, methodology and use for major elements of an information technology discipline for use across hardware and software such as data element dictionary, operating system customization user screen definition and use, program development tools and program generators;

Monitors the use of the particular information technology discipline in order to determine advances and changes necessary to achieve desired goals;

Provides expert technical advice and guidance to information technology staff such as IT Programmers, Systems Analysts, Operators, Technical Support Specialists, Network Specialists, Database Specialists, vendors and supervisory personnel and to departmental management regarding future directions, customization, software or hardware enhancements and software or hardware purchase recommendations in designated area of specialization;

Advises management in matters related to designated area of specialization to maintain efficient and effective information support functions by recommending solutions or alternatives to problems, new projects and changes in objectives in consideration of factors such as availability of resources, cost effectiveness and overall program policies and objectives;

Analyzes, designs and models broad projects and studies requiring critical resolution of difficult information technology issues in designated area of specialization;

Performs special assignments such as feasibility studies which involve long-range planning and an understanding and evaluation of diverse technical options in designated area of specialization to determine the course of current and future information technology solutions, methods and standards;

Keeps abreast of the state-of-the-art in the specific information technology discipline by reviewing technical journals, attending technical classes, conferences and user groups and maintaining regular communication with hardware and software vendors;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of information systems planning, analysis, design, system developmental life cycle, programming, budgeting, operations and maintenance;

Knowledge of computer and communication systems software design characteristics and capabilities;

Knowledge of generally accepted computer programming languages;

Knowledge of the functions and capabilities of computer systems and related data communication systems;

Skill in planning and evaluating new or revised systems software;

Skill in assessing the impact of new or revised systems hardware and software on available or planned resources;

Skill in preparing narrative reports and feasibility studies of information technology alternatives;

Skill in applying inductive and deductive reasoning to reach logical solutions to systems software technology issues;

Ability to understand complex information technology principles, theories and solutions;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, users, vendors and industry specialists.

Experience: Seven years of experience designing, developing, testing, implementing and maintaining application, communication, database or operating systems software.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and thirty credit hours from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Technology, Management Information Systems or other information technology-related field to include coursework in application, communication, database or operating systems software technology for four years of the required experience. 

2. Candidates may substitute graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and one year of experience designing, developing, testing, implementing and maintaining application, communication, database or operating systems software for four years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute experience operating computer systems; or scheduling, controlling input and output to process data on computer systems; or evaluating, implementing and maintaining computer hardware and software; or converting data from project specifications by developing program code using generally accepted computer programming languages on a year-for-year basis for a high school education.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Information Technology, Management Information Systems or other information technology-related field to include coursework in application, communication, database or operating systems software technology and three years of experience designing, developing, testing, implementing and maintaining application, communication, database or operating systems software for the required experience.

5. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the Computer Systems Operations classifications or Computer Systems Operations specialty codes in the Information Technology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professional classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.