DPSA IV

Island of Oahu Employment Only; Recruitment No. 206559; Some positions may be temporary.

Analyzes and evaluates the operating procedures, work methods and information needs of an organization; develops electronic data processing systems and other work procedures for the automation of processes and the production of data; develops plans for the implementation of recommended systems and processes; may supervise a project team including systems analyst(s)/computer programmers); and performs other related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

1. Nature and Purpose of Work:

This class consists of journeyman level data processing work involving a wide range of problems, procedures and work processes associated with specific data needs. Such work involves performing independent systems analysis of the work methods and practices relative to the information needs of specific programs and activities of a departments); the design of projects characterized by many variables and steps and a full range of data processing problems; and the need to develop and recommend alternative approaches or a change in the scope of the project as problems and opportunities arise. Assignments require the analysis of several work processes, functions, or procedures serving several purposes with some problems of coordination. Typically, work processes must be revised upon automation including such items as sources of data, means of collecting and distributing data, work flow and subject matter procedures. Systems addressed at this level generally consist of a number of subsystems that perform various work processes.

Assignments may also involve the maintenance of large and complex systems including the development and implementation of system modifications and improvements.

Positions at this level typically serve as:

a. A departmental systems analyst whose application of systems design is primarily directed toward a portion of the department's overall data processing needs.

b. A systems analyst located in the central data processing agency who is assigned a specific aspect of one or more departments serviced by the central computer agency.

2. Supervisory Control:

Supervisory control over this level is general in nature. The desired end product is usually indicated and alternative methods which may be used, may be suggested, but not explicitly prescribed. Analysts at this level are expected to be sufficiently expert in their knowledge and judgment to warrant only a cursory review of their decisions. However, more immediate guidance and control are given when work projects are those which are normally assigned to a higher level analyst and require the application of new guides or technical knowledge. Technical review of completed work may also be made when the results will have significant impact on other existing or planned data processing systems.

3. Guidelines Available:

Controlling precedents, policies, procedures and decisions are not immediately apparent and are not self-applying to problems being analyzed by positions at this level. When pertaining to studies, decisions and determinations are based on regulations, laws, rules, instructions, policies, procedures and general data processing concepts and technologies which are not always directly applicable to the existing situations. In some cases, guides are non-existent because of the newness of major changes occurring in the field being studied. Some interpretations and adaptations are required to secure results which are compatible with sound principles of systems analysis and design.

4. Nature and Scope of Recommendations, Commitments and Decisions:

Recommendations, decisions and commitments made by incumbents in this level are limited to results obtained from analysis for data processing purposes of the assigned project area. Though the nature of recommendations, decisions and commitments made by incumbents in this level is similar in some respects to that described in the III level, their judgment and recommendations are heavily relied upon in making final decisions within the prescribed project.

Commitments on individual cases and on problems of a well defined and recurring character, requiring the interpretation and application of administrative rules and regulations, have the effect of finality. On matters which are not well defined, or of a recurring nature, commitments made by this level do not commit the unit to a course of action.

5. Personal Work Contacts:

Personal work contacts are characterized by responsibility for maintaining effective relationships with employees, their supervisors, and officials of the organization for which a study is being conducted, and programmer and machine operation personnel. At this level, the analyst is relied upon for technical advice on solutions for problems or approaches to be taken in solving such problems in the area of electronic data processing. A position at this level is capable of readily giving and securing information on matters or problems of a non-recurring nature and in the explanation of or interpretation of facts pertaining to policies, methods, programs, plans, or individual actions in his subject area.

6. Nature and Extent of Supervision Exercised Over Work of Other Employees:

Positions at this level may supervise computer programmer/data processing system analyst positions and subject matter assigned on a project basis, to work on the specific systems which are the responsibility of the systems analyst.

7. Knowledge and Abilities Required:

In addition to the knowledge and abilities required at the III level, must have knowledge of more technical aspects of data processing, e.g., data base/data communication concepts, and of the principles and practices of public administration; management requirements relative to data processing systems; and systems analysis and design. Must also have the ability to plan efficient layouts, workflow procedures and processes and then integrate these into a complete data processing systems plan.

8. Typical Work Assignments:

Formulates plans for the conduct of studies relating to the various work processes and procedures that may be converted to data processing systems; reviews records; interviews management personnel and employees; observes work methods and flow of work to secure necessary data; consolidates data and assesses and evaluates work processes and procedures that can be eliminated or consolidated; determines the feasibility of mechanizing various work processes and procedures; determines the kinds of machines required; develops and prepares detailed plans and procedures for implementing mechanization; designs forms for review and implementation by agencies concerned; prepares procedural manuals and operating standards; advises and assists management regarding various problems associated with conversion to electronic data processing; works in close cooperation with operations and computer programming personnel and with state level consultants in the field of data processing and computer systems and analysis; conducts containing analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of systems and procedures; integrates systems development with similar data processing needs of other agencies; prepares correspondence and reports of work activities; may perform computer programming as a secondary assignment.

Education: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree. Excess work experience as described under the Specialized or Supervisory Experience below, or any other progressively responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities.

The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Experience: Two and one-half years of progressively responsible work experience in computer systems analysis which involved the analysis and design of systems for electronic processing of data; or stored computer programming experience which included participation in systems analysis.

Substitutions Allowed:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in computer science or in another major including completion of course work comparable to a major in computer science may be substituted for six months of Specialized Experience.

2. A master’s degree in information and computer science from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one and one-half years of Specialized Experience.

3. A doctorate degree in information and computer science from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two years of Specialized Experience.

4. Excess Supervisory Experience of the type and quality described above may be substituted for Specialized Experience on a year-for-year basis.