Information Technology Technical Associate

Function of Job

These positions provide technical expertise and support for operating systems and equipment configurations. This includes the implementation and maintenance of operating systems and software components, providing assistance in the development and assessment of hardware and software components, recommending optimum equipment and software configurations, and providing technical guidance with regard to proper data processing methods, performance standards, security measures, and systems analysis.

Duties include designing data processing systems and/or hardware configurations, developing system assessment and testing criteria, evaluating user needs, programming systems, and subsystems, developing documentation to support any new systems or system modifications and developing/monitoring security protocols. Also included may be some supervisory activities or team leader responsibilities for more complex projects and training of user groups or other IT staff.

The duties described within this class specification require the constant vigilance and implementation of appropriate cybersecurity knowledge and policies. This may include network security, password protections, and allowing appropriate access to IT systems containing sensitive student data, employee information, medical information, or other data security restrictions dictated by research projects and outcomes.

They also serve customers by installing software, answering questions, troubleshooting, and resolving technical-related problems in person or remotely.

* The specific area of information technology assigned will be used to classify these positions. Examples of such services include Communication Services, Data Management, Network Services, Applications Development, Systems Programming, and Web Services.

An additional working title may also be used in conjunction with the classification (i.e., Systems Programmer, Network Engineer, Telecommunications Specialist, Applications Analyst, etc.)

A(n) Information Technology Technical Associate typically -

1. General Technological Expertise
   Responsible for providing technical expertise in a designated area, such as computer programming, data analytics, database administration, network administration, telecommunications, and other designated specialties.
   
   
2. Computer Programming
   Analyzes, develops, tests, and/or modifies hardware and software solutions to meet user and/or systems integration requirements. Reviews, analyzes and recommends the best approach and overall design for computer application development and programming projects for business, scientific, and research applications. Advises designated personnel concerning the magnitude of programming jobs and time requirements for programming, debugging, and testing. Installs new, modified, or third-party software releases and/or updates. Modifies existing software and creates special-purpose software to ensure efficiency and integrity between systems and applications. Develops program specifications and reviews with the user to ensure that requirements are met. Designs user-friendly interfaces for systems, applications, and databases. These functions are performed with traditional computer programming and/or web-based programs.
   
   
3. Data Analytics
   Collects, processes, and visualizes data to help answer business questions and enable strategic decision-making. Gathers requirements, understand business needs, performs data modeling, and develops data pipelines to generate the data architecture for data analytics. Utilizes the data architecture to develop reporting and interactive dashboards to provide insights for decision-makers. Use techniques such as data mining, machine learning, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling to uncover trends and patterns in data and discover hidden information. Monitor processes to ensure accurate and quality data is continually available for business needs.
   
   Data Analytics & Integration, which includes demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and supporting clinical application interfaces, as well as developing, modifying, distributing, and testing reports, metrics, dashboards, and self-service reporting capabilities in the business intelligence suite of tools and applications.
   
   
4. Database Administration
   Implements database to optimize data access and security. Designs database systems and programs, which include access methods, access time, file structure, device allocation, validation checks, and statistical methods. Monitors database standards and procedures, system usage, and performance. Troubleshoots and resolves database and data problems. Monitors, analyze, and verifies data to ensure data integrity; develops assigned databases to support specific applications. Maintains the database archives by acquiring and installing data sets and documentation. Assist in data transfers or sharing of files. Develops and monitors security protocols associated with restricted access systems.
   
   
5. Network Administration
   Designs, operate, and maintains Local Area Network, including installation of computers and workstations on the network, installing hardware and software upgrades, and maintaining and monitoring the system to provide optimal quality to the end-users. Conducts feasibility studies on communication systems and prepares specifications and flowcharts for implementing new programs or modifications to vendor software. Designs fully integrated systems, including applications, databases, networks, and related systems. Recommends modifications or revisions to third-party software to meet user needs.
   
   
6. Telecommunications
   Designs, develop and tests complex communications interface programs, which may include voice or data communication. Performs systems duties for a full range of communications network circuits and equipment, such as complex testing and optimization, investigation of network breakdowns and malfunctions, and monitoring network performance data.
   
   
7. Policy/Procedure Development
   Prepares documentation to support area IT functions and provides user support for new or modified programs. Maintains and supports assigned systems with documented testing and development of procedures to ensure minimal downtime and loss of productivity and service. Evaluates and supplement vendor-supplied documentation for third-party software.
   
   Assure that customers, staff, students, etc., are provided with appropriate IT use and security policies upon the allocation of institution/department IT equipment such as computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, etc.,
   
   
8. Cybersecurity
   Identify and triage alerts to identify malicious activities on the network, provides (fundamental) cyber analysis on potential events, and perform tests/benchmarks of new computers, software, switch hardware, and routers before implementation to ensure security posture is achieved. Protects data confidentiality, integrity, and availability by implementing appropriate information security knowledge, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.
   
   
9. Supervision
   Supervise other staff or act as team leader on designated projects. Monitors the progress and direction of assigned tasks and makes corrections as needed. Determines training needs and provides training opportunities for staff.
   
   
10. Quality Assurance
    Provides software testing expertise and assesses the quality of specifications of enterprise applications/systems while adhering to accessibility and security best practices. Designs, implements, and executes tests for applications/systems as well as compiles reports to send their testing results to stakeholders.
    
    
11. Web Development & Services
    Develop supporting code for web applications or websites. Design, build or maintain websites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media. Validate code to ensure accuracy, proper structure, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
    
    
12. Additional Related Duties
    Develops presentations on current and future plans or services. Makes product and vendor recommendations. Act as a software vendor liaison. Performs other related duties as assigned.
    
    

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
   1. College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. Work experience in IT-related functions, such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field.
3. Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required.

1. Knowledge of the systems and operations used within the areas and departments of responsibility.
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
3. Ability to oversee and coordinate activities of user groups.
4. Ability to effectively communicate with other colleagues, supervisors, administrative staff, and other IT users.
5. Ability to identify and resolve technical problems.
6. Ability to effectively communicate and professionally interact with all staff levels.