Senior Application Support Specialist (#MADA04)
$55,182.00 Yearly Min / $68,978.00 Yearly Mid / $82,774.00 Yearly Max

This class is responsible for all phases of systems analysis and design and for configuring and/or writing, testing, debugging and documentation of computer programs/systems.

Supervision is provided by a technical superior. Duties include system analysis and design, providing alternate design approaches with cost/benefit analysis for each, preparing computer program specifications and computer programs/system configurations, preparing test data, and testing computer programs for accuracy and efficiency, debugging programs and writing the required documentation. Incumbents in this class may also serve as a team leader on a project basis periodically. Principal contacts are with users in order to analyze, define and translate their information systems into computer language and with computer operators when testing and debugging programs.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Performs systems analysis and design employing information needs analysis, requirements analysis and design alternative analysis.
• Provides alternative design proposals including cost/benefit analyses.
• Writes computer program and/or system configuration specifications. 
• Designs computer program logic flow, writes new and modifies existing computer programs/system configurations, develops test data, tests and debugs system problems/computer programs.
• Provides user orientation and training in new/modified applications.
• May oversee and coordinate the work of technical staff in the absence of technical supervision or on a project basis or as assigned by management.  
• May train lower level application programmers and support specialists.
• Writes progress and incident reports.
• Writes operational, program and user documentation.
• May lead and/or support IT audit, IT security, and/or IT compliance activities.
• Performs related work as required.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of the concepts, methods and techniques of the full range of system analysis to include information needs analysis, requirements analysis and design alternative analysis.
• Knowledge of the concepts, methods and techniques of system design and program specification preparation.
• Knowledge of the concepts, methods and techniques of computer programming.
• Knowledge of the agency's standards, policies and procedures relating to data processing.
• Knowledge of job control and programming languages, including the latest generation of languages.
• Knowledge of Data Base Management System concepts.
• Knowledge of System Development Life Cycle methodology concepts.
• Knowledge of the tools and techniques for testing software.
• Ability to analyze and define users' data requirements, translating them into design specifications for computer program development and/or system configuration.
• Ability to design a logical flow of programming steps.
• Ability to construct flow charts.
• Ability to write clear, concise, informative reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of users.
• Ability to train lower level employees.
• Ability to lead others in completing projects.
• Ability to analyze problems and formulate alternate solutions.
• Ability to develop test data, test and debug computer programs.
• Ability to prepare time and cost estimates.
• Ability to write user, operational and program documentation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, users and co-workers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Senior Application Support Specialist
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Six months experience in computer programming languages including the latest generation.
2. Six months experience in database management systems which includes database design, testing, and implementation.
3. Six months experience in information systems analysis and design.