You are reading the State of New Jersey Job Descriptions. This is not a Job Vacancy Announcement.

Job Specification

DATA PROCESSING PROGRAMMER

DEFINITION:

Under close supervision, does the design and preparation of the less complex
computer programs for electronic data processing equipment utilizing required 
and current software operating systems and multiprogramming technology; 
does other related duties as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only.  
A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this 
job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be 
listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Maintains and modifies routine programs.

Makes approved changes by amending the program flow chart, developing 
detailed processing logic, and coding changes.

Tests and documents modifications and writes operator instructions.

Writes routine new programs using prescribed specifications.

Confers with EDP personnel to clarify procedures, processing, logic, and 
so forth.

Studies agency work processes and methods.

Prepares flow charts and block diagrams; codes program modules of the 
least complexity for application systems development.

Performs desk or remote terminal checking of program modules.

Prepares documentation prior to submitting programs to EDP operations 
for batch testing.

Checks program module coding to determine program deficiencies and 
corrects coding as necessary.

Prepares systems control statement and utility program parameters.

Combines program modules into a complete executable program to test 
module interaction for production purposes. 

Prepares complete program documentation, in conjunction with agency 
and/or other data processing standards, to obtain a data processing analyst 
sign-off for a completed application program.

Maintains production application programs/program modules as necessary.

Depending on agency standards, may operate electronic data processing 
and peripheral equipment to make a test of coded programs in analyzing 
and correcting program error stops.

Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or 
related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree 
in Computer Programming, Computer Science, Information Systems/Technology,
or other closely related field.

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of experience in designing and preparing programs for electronic 
data processing equipment utilizing current operating systems.

NOTE:  Possession of a Master’s degree in Computer Science from an accredited 
college or university may be substituted for the indicated experience.

NOTE:  Possession of a specific Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from an 
accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of indicated 
experience.

NOTE:  Possession of a general Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college 
or university may be substituted for the Associate’s degree.

Special Note Regarding Substituting Experience for Education:

Experience in the study of work methods and processes, the analysis of 
varied types of data, the design and preparation of systems and programs, 
the operation of multi-programming or client/server computer systems and 
work in the information technology support areas of input/output control, 
scheduling, reliability or user support may be substituted for the required 
education on a year-for-year basis.

Special Note Regarding Substituting Training for Education: 

In order for training to be accepted, the applicant must provide documentation 
from an accredited institution of higher learning stating that the school would 
accept these training hours as equivalent to college credits at that institution 
and provide the number of college credits that would be equivalent. This 
documentation from the institution must come from the Department Head 
or Chair associated with the major or course area in question.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey 
only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary 
to perform essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of data processing functions, organizational structure, and the 
relationship of stages in automating a work process.

Knowledge of agency programming standards and pertinent computer 
equipment characteristics, and skill in use of programming techniques to 
maintain and modify an assigned group of programs within the total number 
of utility routines, execution routines, input-output control programs, and so 
forth required to support an agency's telecommunications system.

Knowledge of equipment characteristics and agency EDP standards, and 
skill in programming techniques to develop detailed logic, test, debug, and 
document programs for computer system applications where specifications 
set forth such features as interface requirements, inputs, outputs, sequences, 
and edit criteria.

Knowledge of agency work processes and methods.

Knowledge of data communications access methods.

Knowledge of systems operating procedures for remote job entry.

Ability to compute simple business math problems.

Knowledge of the basics of computer systems hardware.

Knowledge of facilities generally provided by disk, tape, and card-based 
operating systems software associated with past and current generations 
of serial, multiprogram/multi-process-oriented computer systems.

Knowledge of system control statements and utility program parameters 
for use by EDP production operations.

Knowledge of the modularized approach to programming.

Knowledge of the numbering systems used in computer systems such as 
decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal.

Knowledge of programming languages such as Cobol, Fortran, RPG, ALC, 
PL/1, Autocoder, and/or Algol.

Knowledge of various database access methods including indexed sequential, 
direct, sequential, and virtual storage.

Knowledge of objectives of EDP programs and EDP terminology.

Ability to analyze problems including identifying relevant factors, gathering 
pertinent information, and   recognizing solutions.

Ability to do thorough, accurate work that requires planning a logical 
sequence of steps.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

Ability to communicate well with coworkers and to develop and maintain 
cooperative working relationships with agency staff and with others 
interested in or concerned with the work of the unit.

Ability to operate current computer equipment to analyze and correct 
program errors.

Ability to prepare forms, flow charts, decision tables, and block diagrams.

Ability to learn to program in a time-sharing environment.

Ability to prepare clear, concise user, operations, and/or programming 
documentation in conjunction with agency or statewide EDP standards.

Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related 
units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform duties of this position.  American Sign Language 
or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform 
the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 
If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer 
undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
VariantState,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
01474LN N/A21-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

5/20/2023