Senior Budget/Legislative Information System Specialist (#MADZ02)
$62,483.00 Yearly Min / $78,104.00 Yearly Mid / $93,725.00 Yearly Max

This class plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of the Management Information Services Unit of the Budget Office or the Legislative Information System and is responsible for the maintenance and performance of three information systems:

• The transmission and processing of data for a statewide Information System,
• Providing application support and user training, and
• The operation and maintenance of a teleprocessing computer with a LAN network.

Supervision is provided by an administrative superior. Responsibilities include for all three information systems planning, evaluating and maintaining the systems, establishing, monitoring and ensuring the implementation of policies and standards, and provisions for operator training, installing software and trouble-shooting hardware and software problems. An incumbent also makes presentations to agency personnel to develop an understanding and knowledge of the operation, theory and value of the information system for strategic planning budgeting, writes specifications and negotiates contracts for contractors and makes recommendations for improving the system.  The incumbent is responsible for overseeing computer programming and system analysis and design. The LAN and teleprocessing computer responsibilities include the development and implementation of a Disaster Recovery Plan, storage capacity planning, data backup and the security of the system. Work also includes special projects which typically include the compilation of special reports and participating in negotiations with a major hardware manufacturer statewide for reductions in maintenance and hardware costs.  Principal contacts are with Directors, Chief Financial Managers, Fiscal and Policy or Legislative Analysts and agency users in order to increase the efficiency of the three information systems.

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.

• Plans, directs, monitors and evaluates the resources of the Budget/Legislative Information Services Unit.
   
• Provides planning, monitoring, maintenance and evaluation of three information systems to ensure efficient and effective operations.
   
• Establishes, monitors and enforces policies, standards and procedures for the operation of the information systems.
   
• Writes curricula for training system users.
   
• Makes presentations to agency Directors and Financial Managers on the theory, operation and value of the state's information system for strategic planning and budgeting.
   
• Writes specifications, RFP's and negotiates contracts and oversees contractors who perform the application support specialist functions for the BIS.
   
• Confers with Agency Directors, Financial Managers and Budget Analysts in order to recommend improvements to the BIS.
   
• Oversees Budget/Legislative Information System Specialist in providing application support for the Budget Office, including system analysis and design, programming, testing and debugging.
   
• Ensures the development, implementation, and currency of a Disaster Recovery Plan for the LAN network and the teleprocessing computer which serves several state agencies, maintains the computer, ensures that backup tapes are made and provides for the security of the system.
   
• Compiles special reports requested by executives.
   
• Participates with DTI personnel in negotiating with a major computer manufacturer for reductions in statewide costs for maintenance and hardware procurements.

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 theory, operations and values of Zero Based and Strategic Plan Budgeting Systems.
• Knowledge of the theory, components, configuration and operation of computer network systems, computers and peripheral equipment.
• Knowledge of the concepts, methods and techniques of system analysis, including cost/benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of computer programming languages.
• Knowledge of the state's rules and regulations as they pertain to data processing.
• Knowledge of the concepts of database design in a shared database system.
• Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of financial management.
• Ability to evaluate information systems and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to write Requests for Proposals, evaluate them and negotiate contracts.
• Ability to establish, monitor and enforce policies and standards related to data processing operations.
• Ability to install software amd trouble-shoot hardware and software problems.
• Ability to install and monitor a security system for a teleprocessing computer and associated network.
• Ability to write curricula for training personnel in mini/micro operations, especially those relating to budget preparation.
• Ability to write clear, concise informative reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to plan, assign and review work of staff and contractors.
• Ability to evaluate and motivate subordinates.
• Ability to make prudent recommendations for hardware and software.
• Ability to make effective presentations.
• Ability to plan and implement the effective use of data processing resources, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain schedules for the timely production of the state's budget.

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

1. Three years experience in administering computer data networks which includes troubleshooting, diagnosing and resolving hardware and software problems. 
2. Three years experience in database management concepts and systems development lifecycle methodology. 
3. Three years experience in information systems analysis and design. 
4. Six months experience in information system functional support which includes planning for informational needs to initiate system changes; developing user, operational and program documentation; coordinating, overseeing and participating in the testing of new/modified computer program enhancements by creating test data, analyzing the system's actions and determining critical system performance to ensure applications meet user needs.
5. Six months experience in computer programming languages including the latest generation.
6. Knowledge of contract development which includes writing and negotiating contracts.