City and County of San Francisco

Under general direction, analyzes, plans, designs, implements, maintains, troubleshoots and enhances large complex systems or networks consisting of a combination that may include mainframes, mini-computers, LANS, WANs and the physical and logical components that integrate these systems together as an enterprise networking backbone. Serves as the senior technical architect and systems integrator for large complex systems or networks.

The Senior IS Engineer is the advanced journey level in the Engineer series. The class is distinguished from the journey level by the complexity and size of the systems or network supported. It is also distinguished from the Journey level by the amount of discretion exercised over technical issues, problems and resolutions, and that it possesses a significant level of specialized technical and functional expertise beyond that expected at the Journey level. This level is distinguished from the Principal level in that Senior level exercises no or limited supervisory responsibilities or the lower technical leadership displayed. Positions at this level require highly specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience and often exercise independent judgement in the performance of their duties. The Senior level formulates recommendations consistent with directives, policies, standards and regulations. Work is judged primarily on overall results with great latitude in determining work methods and assignment requirements. The Senior has greater authority over assignments and decisions required to complete the work than lower level classifications.

May provide supervision to subordinate Engineer staff or other technical staff. May serve as the lead technical person in a work unit. May provide consultation and guidance to other IS job families. Supervisory responsibilities are ancillary to the main intent and focus of the position.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Determine requirements for the development or enhancement of large complex systems or networks that serve as a data processing backbone for the City and County of San Francisco's information technologies infrastructures. May research and conduct feasibility studies on new technologies.

2. Design, plan, integrate, test, implement, document and enhance the physical and logical components of large complex systems or networks. This may involve the analysis and evaluation of systems software, hardware and communications strategies.

3. Perform complex systems integration for interoperability over dissimilar platforms and technologies. This may involve the integration of various protocols, systems software, hardware and communications platforms.

4. Determine the proper installation parameters for software and hardware for smooth integration and efficiency in relation to the enterprise system and network.

5. Write complex "user exits" to customize large systems software which may involve specialized programming languages.

6. Analyze, detect, identify and correct complex systems software or hardware deficiencies.

7. Provide 24-hour on-call support to ensure rapid recovery from software or hardware problems for mission-critical systems and networks.

8. Act as the liaison between vendors, technical support hot-lines and departments to resolve complex systems or network problems. Coordinate and implement corrective measures; this may involve site visits, telephone assistance, remote systems or network management, and participation in technical committees.

9. Facilitate the demonstration and training of staff in the use of new hardware or software products.

10. Plan, implement, maintain and coordinate upgrades/updates/fixes for core operating systems and their related components, without negative impact to the overall availability and reliability of the enterprise systems/networks.

11. Document procedures and troubleshooting techniques related to systems/networks software and hardware; develop and review documentation prior to general distribution.

12. Plan, develop and implement backup and recovery procedures for large systems and networks.

13. Ensure that management procedures do not negatively impact users or system performance; communicate with managers regarding system performance and operational issues. Suggest improvements to management.

14. Monitor daily systems performance and execute corrective measures.

Knowledge of: The basic and advanced functions for the core hardware and software components that comprise complex large systems or enterprise networks. Analysis and evaluation techniques to plan, design, integrate, implement, maintain and troubleshoot large complex systems or networks across similar and dissimilar technology platforms.

Ability and Skill to: Determine the systems or networking requirements to plan for or enhance the core data processing needs for the Enterprise system or network. Solve problems with minimal disruption or impact to the system or network. Exercise judgement, decisiveness and creativity in designing, planning, troubleshooting and integration of large complex systems or networks based on the potential benefits and/or consequences. Develop alternative solutions within established guidelines and standards. Communicate effectively; establish good working relationships with other IS professionals, vendors, management and departments. Read and understand professional journals, manuals and literature. Prioritize competing requests for service.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:
An associate degree in computer science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university OR its equivalent in terms of total course credits/units [i.e., at least sixty (60) semester or ninety (90) quarter credits/units with a minimum of twenty (20) semester or thirty (30) quarter credits/units in computer science or a closely-related field].

Experience:
Three (3) years of experience analyzing, installing, configuring, enhancing, and/or maintaining the components of an enterprise network.

License and Certification:

Substitution:
Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). One (1) year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester units/ forty-five (45) quarter units with a minimum of 10 semester / 15 quarter units in computer science or a closely related field.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.