PROJECT MANAGER DATA PROCESSING DEFINITION:
Under direction in a Data Center or in a subordinate computer center in a state department, institution, or agency, state college, or a local jurisdiction plans, administers, and controls all work activities required to produce effective data processing systems for major agency programs including responsibility for systems analysis and design, economic evaluations, and programming; Supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff. Does other related duties.
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:
Plans, administers, and controls systems analysis and design and programming activities in order to produce effective data processing systems for major programs for using agencies, taking into consideration economics of in-house or outside production and capabilities and recommending outside contracting where feasible.
Supervises professional groups of data processing systems analysts and programmers of various grades in order to utilize manpower resources assigned to obtain maximum performance consistent with the needs of the users and the goals and objectives of the Data Center.
Interviews and consults with user representatives in order to define their needs and participates in defining functional requirements and conducting technical evaluations on applied systems.
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
Shares responsibility with other project managers for providing technical advice and assistance to supervisors to ensure proper interfacing of major systems and subsystems and development of common data banks wherever possible.
Plans work assignments and coordinates staff efforts in systems, programming, testing, debugging, and implementation to prevent redundant efforts, balancing available computer time and staff against delivery commitments to users to ensure timely services; provides periodic progress reports to user representatives.
Consults with staff from appropriate units to ensure development of documentary controls to avoid misinterpretations and poorly defined requirements when systems become operational.
Supervises preparation of detailed systems design reports including constraints and assumptions influencing the design approach taken, system flow charts, development and conversion cost estimates, manpower and time estimates, record, output and input summaries, system test specifications, conversion requirements, system controls and audit trails, and other related information.
Supervises the preparation of detailed conversion and post- conversion evaluations including description of support given evaluation of adequacy, statement of documentation level, and comparison of planned versus actual costs and performance.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Nine (9) years of professional experience in data processing systems design and analysis for a large public or private information processing facility, including at least three (3) years of experience with systems software in a multi-programming, third generation communications environment, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, including at least three (3) years of experience with systems software in a multi-programming, third generation communications environment, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
OR
Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Data Processing or Computer Science; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, including at least three (3) years of experience with systems software in a multi-programming, third generation communications environment, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
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 the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of electronic data processing equipment and their application to specific operating requirements.
Knowledge of agency programs, policies, and objectives.
Knowledge of the programming techniques and intricacies of a third generation computer and peripheral equipment.
Ability to supervise and to take a leading part in defining the needs and the functional requirements of applications of data processing hardware and software. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of detailed systems reports including systems flow charts, conversion cost estimates, manpower and cost estimates, record, output and input summaries, system test specifications conversion requirements, systems controls and audit trails, and other related information.
Ability to organize and direct conversion to data processing systems.
Ability to participate in conferences and present the results of effects of evaluation studies of present and new application of data processing.
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, and other factual reports containing findings conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files.
Ability 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 the 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 as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
