County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, an Information Systems Deputy Director assists in the oversight of an Agency’s information systems operations and staff and has responsibility for assisting with planning, scheduling, coordinating and supervising the work of personnel engaged in information technology systems analysis, application program development, systems implementation, and maintenance activities; assists in leading the strategic planning, major change initiatives, process improvements, and managing special project activities of information systems technology; and performs related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Information Systems Deputy Director is found only in a large Agency and directly supports the administration, management and oversight of information systems technology to maximize the utilization and value of information resources. The Information Systems Deputy Director supports the Information Systems Director, providing support for the Agency-specific information system needs. Incumbents in this class oversee information systems services in the absence or unavailability of the Information Systems Director. Incumbents report directly to an Information Systems Director and have responsibility for participating in the oversight of information systems activities, administering and solving complex and evolving information needs by leveraging staff expertise, vendors, contractors and other available resources. This class provides leadership in the assessment of overall functionality of information system technology, and is responsible for the planning and implementation of activities to maintain and enhance information systems technology within a large Agency.

This class is distinguished from the Information Systems Director in that the Information Systems Director has direct oversight and leadership responsibility for all information systems activities and staff within an Agency. The Information Systems Deputy Director is further distinguished from the Information Systems Manager in that Information Systems Deputy Directors may supervise Information Systems Managers who are responsible for information systems activities that are narrower in scope.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Directly supports the Information Systems Director by supervising and managing the oversight and management of information systems technology operations, activities and staff; and serves as the Director in his or her absence or unavailability.

2. Assists in overseeing and leading strategic planning, major change initiatives, process improvements, and special project activities relating to information systems, support, or services; and serves as a lead in providing overall direction and management of such projects and staff for the agency.

3. Works closely with the Agency leadership to assess and determine areas that would benefit from automation and coordinates work with multiple divisions to implement changes in technology and information systems.

4. Provides guidance and oversight in the analysis of requests for new information systems, existing system modification and updates; assesses staff recommendations and selects the best course of action; provides leadership or oversight in the administration of changes; and leads the implementation plans to develop and install new systems or system changes.

5. Evaluates existing and proposed information system policies, techniques, and procedures; and drafts, recommends and implements new policies, procedures and practices.

6. Assists with developing and managing budgetary requirements for multiple Information Systems Divisions within a large Agency.

7. May serve as an Agency’s technical expert on all agency information systems and provide for user assistance for all assigned, proposed and existing computer systems.

8. Serves as a primary or secondary contact with information systems vendors, contractors and consultants, including administration of complex information systems contracts.

9. Studies and assesses information flows, information uses, procedures, form workflow, and data processing techniques involved in achieving maximization of the use of an agency’s information resources.

10. Organizes and directs analytical studies of organizational structures, systems, procedures, polices and techniques. Defines nature and scope of studies, projects and procedures to be followed.

11. Analyzes costs and benefits of current and future information processing systems using accepted industry techniques.

12. Participates in professional organizations; establishes and maintains effective relationships with other agencies; and may represent the agency in meetings and conferences.

13. Participates in and takes responsibility for committee and special project assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of five years of full-time, paid experience in data processing information systems, including systems analysis, application development, system evaluation, selection and implementation, or network administration. At least two years of experience must include direct supervision and management of professional and technical Information Technology staff.

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university (120
semester units or 180 quarter units) with a major in MIS, Computer Science, Computer
Engineering or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcements of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of supervision, personnel management, administration and project management.
• Process or business oriented software platforms.
• Principles and methodology of Information Technology Project Management
• Principles and methods of administrative and technological problem solving.
• Current trends and issues and legislation associated with public policy, technology and information privacy and security.
• Budgeting methods for estimating expenditures and planning for future Information Systems’ needs.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation, monitoring and control along with the relationship of budgeting to policy making.
• Principles and techniques of planning, scheduling and control as applied to systems development and maintenance in an Information Systems organization.
• Methods for review of systems analysis.
• Principles and methodologies of systems analysis.
• Data organization and access methods in computerized systems; estimating methods for equipment costs, production costs, programming costs and system benefits.
• Reporting requirements for local, state and federal agencies.


Ability to:

• Provide leadership and direction to others and plan, direct and coordinate individuals, projects, and functions effectively.
• Understand and consider the impact of organizational, management, administrative, and personnel to aspects of information systems design.
• Direct the development of advanced computer-based systems and the evaluation and modification of complex existing systems to optimize use and value.
• Analyze major information processing problems, identify alternative solutions, and make sound recommendations.
• Organize and manage multiple projects involving several divisions and and/or departments and vendors simultaneously.
• Formulate systems strategies to meet user and organizations goals, determine the course of actions, and evaluate the impact of decisions on the organization and users.
• Supervise, assign work activities, maintain staff productivity and morale, and evaluate information systems administrative and technological staff.
• Develop and implement work schedules, work plans, and cost controls.
• Understand and effectively communicate technical concepts and information about complex systems and strategies in a timely manner to individuals with varying levels of technical knowledge, including non-technical personnel.
• Gather and analyze data, draw sound conclusions, prepare clear and concise reports.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspec: 0427
LP:cs 10/8/15
CSC Date: 10/28/15